Digital Badge in Understanding University Teaching and Learning
Overview
The purpose of this badge is to introduce staff who are not currently in academic roles to the foundational principles, language, and practices of learning and teaching in higher education. It aims to build shared understanding across the institution so that all staff can more confidently engage with, support, and enhance the student learning experience.
The objective of the badge is to enable participants to recognise how university teaching and learning works in practice and identify how their own roles contribute to a positive and effective learning environment. By the end of the badge, participants will be able to articulate key concepts in learning and teaching, understand the student journey, and reflect on ways their work supports student success.
Learning Outcomes
TU Dublin staff who complete this course will be able to:
- Explain how students learn and evaluate how effective teaching and learning, and assessment strategies support learner engagement and success.
- Describe how institutional processes and professional roles contribute to learning, teaching, and the wider student experience.
- Discuss the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in shaping effective learning environments, and apply these principles within their professional context.
- Apply key elements of learning and teaching within their role to enhance the student experience.
Course Details
- 5 x 1-hour lunchtime seminars (weekly online via Teams)
- 3 x 1-hour triad meetings – coordinated by participants (online via Teams or in-person)
- 13 hours of engagement with asynchronous materials (over five weeks)
- 4 hours of engagement in assessment activities
Week-by-Week Indicative Outline
Week 1 – Understanding the Student Learning Journey
- Student lifecycle and engagement factors.
- Case studies on transition points.
- Considering wider roles contributing to student experience.
Week 2 – Effective Teaching and Learning in HE
- Introduction to key principles of teaching and learning in higher education.
- Interactive discussion on what helps students learn incl. specific LTA strategies and the embedding of technologies and online resources.
- Triad Meeting: Discuss journal entries from Sessions 1-2 and initial ideas around badge assessment.
Week 3 - Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Feedback
- Intro to learning outcomes and assessment types.
- Basic overview of curriculum design processes in HE, including NFQ, ECTS, programmes, modules.
Week 4 - Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging
Introduction to inclusive practices, including addressing belonging in HE and UDL in policy and practice.
Triad Meeting: Discuss journal entries from Sessions 3-4 and advanced ideas/progress around badge assessment.
Week 5 - Integrating Learning and Understanding my Contribution
- Synthesis of learning across badge.
- Re-articulating role within learning ecosystem.
Week 6 - Assessment Completion
- Mini-Reflective journaling on assessment design rationale and overall learning from badge.
- Triad Meeting: Peer assessment and discussion of final journal entry.
- Assessment completion.
Assessment
Participants will engage in all learning activities via Brightspace and indicate completion of same.
At three points participants will complete journaled mini-reflections on topics covered in the sessions - 100 words for each written entry or c.2-3 minute video diary entry.
In tandem they will create a small-scale practice-based resource relevant to their professional role (for example, a brief student guide, a set of FAQs, a workshop/lesson design etc.) that aims to enhance learning and teaching and contribute to the student experience.
Participants will share a draft of their artefact in peer triads and incorporate feedback into a final version.
The final mini-reflective journal entry will present a brief rationale for the resource.
Next Intake
The next intake to this mini-course is expected to be in September 2026.