Innovation Projects

Innovation is a key theme of the Higher Ed 4.0 project, our core aim is to build a system to respond quickly to employer and learner needs in an agile, efficient, and cost-effective way and to develop new innovative models of learning to engage both younger and lifelong learners.

Advantages for Students

We aim to transform how students interact with third-level education by developing a suite of tools and services that will enable improved access and greater flexibility to meet the diverse needs of students. By developing a more enriched online experience we will engage and

retain a wider range of learners and ensure that they graduate with 21st-century employability skills.

Advantages for Business Partners

We collaborate with industry to address skill shortages in several ways:

By rapidly developing bespoke courses, by liaising with industry to ensure our course content addresses their current and future skills needs, by ensuring that we work to engage with learners who may not have traditionally engaged with third-level education and providing flexibility for learners who can access learning resources from any location, at a time and place of their choosing.

Innovative Models of Learning

As part of the Higher Ed 4.0 project we are developing a model for project-based learning for the ATU. The first two years of a project-based learning course will see high level learning outcomes delivered via project-based learning, with the low-level learning outcomes delivered via self-directed learning. This will be followed by two years of work-based learning which will feature a combination of study and on-the-job training culminating in a final year project.

Worked Based Learning

By recognising the workplace as a learning environment, we open third level education to a new cohort of students, we also advance our engagement with business partners to a level where we can develop custom programmes to suit specific industry needs. These courses will allow students to complete work-based projects and enjoy extended work placements to earn credits towards their qualification, while simultaneously gaining on-the-job work experience and developing their employability skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, problem solving and project management.

Project Based Learning

As part of the Higher Ed 4.0 project we intend to develop a model for project-based learning for the ATU. The first two years of a project-based learning course will see high level learning outcomes delivered via project-based learning, with the low-level learning outcomes delivered via self-directed learning. This will be followed by two years of work-based learning which will feature a combination of study and on-the-job training culminating in a final year project.

Micro-Based Credential Awards

Developed to meet the demands of employers for upskilling and reskilling, micro-credentials are being developed across a range of subject areas. Micro-credentials are short, accredited courses which are narrow in scope and short in duration, often in specialist topics and flexible in terms of pace and delivery. They are particularly suited to life-long learners and people in the workplace and are often delivered online to increase flexibility for learners who can obtain a new, certified, skillset in just a couple of months. Micro-credentials can be standalone minor awards, or ‘stackable’ as part of a sequence of learning leading to a major award. We also work with employers to create bespoke courses to help train teams in new technologies or work practices.

MOOCs

MOOC stands for Massive-Open-Online-Course and in line with the project aim of harnessing technology to enhance access to third level education and reach a global audience. The Higher Ed 4.0 project, will provide funding and Instructional Design support for the development of MOOCs. Working closely with industry and the ATU academic staff we have selected key areas that will benefit from the development of MOOCs. This will mean that students, from any location, will be able to access specific ATU content for free and ATU registered students will have access to an extensive platform of training courses.

Work Based Learning

By recognising the workplace as a learning environment, we open third level education to a new cohort of students, we also advance our engagement with business partners to a level where we can develop custom programmes to suit specific industry needs. These courses allow students to complete work-based projects and enjoy extended work placements to earn credits towards their qualification, while simultaneously gaining on-the-job work experience and developing their employability skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, problem solving and project management. The first two new qualifications under this enhanced work based learning models are in Furniture Design and Hospitality Management.
Project Based Learning

As part of the Higher Ed 4.0 project we intend to develop a model for project-based learning for the ATU. The first two years of a project-based learning course will see high level learning outcomes delivered via project-based learning, with the low-level learning outcomes delivered via self-directed learning. This will be followed by two years of work-based learning which will feature a combination of study and on-the-job training culminating in a final year project.
Micro-Based Credential Awards

Developed to meet the demands of employers for upskilling and reskilling, micro-credentials are being developed across a range of subject areas. Micro-credentials are short, accredited courses which are narrow in scope and short in duration, often in specialist topics and flexible in terms of pace and delivery. They are particularly suited to life-long learners and people in the workplace and are often delivered online to increase flexibility for learners who can obtain a new, certified, skillset in just a couple of months. Micro-credentials can be standalone minor awards, or ‘stackable’ as part of a sequence of learning leading to a major award. We also work with employers to create bespoke courses to help train teams in new technologies or work practices.
MOOCs

MOOC stands for Massive-Open-Online-Course and in line with the project aim of harnessing technology to enhance access to third level education and reach a global audience. The Higher Ed 4.0 project, is providing funding and Instructional Design support for the development of MOOCs. Working closely with industry and the ATU academic staff we have selected key areas that will benefit from the development of MOOCs. This will mean that students, from any location, will be able to access specific ATU content for free and ATU registered students will have access to an extensive platform of training courses.

Reusable Learning Content

With a total of 28 projects under development the creation of reusable learning content has been embraced across the ATU. This digital content is particularly relevant in a blended learning environment as the short length and interactive format means they are highly effective at getting the message across to students enhancing their online experience. This method of learn course production is a particularly relevant tool that will stand alone as an efficient and innovative method of content production for blended learning, and also play a key supporting role in ‘Flipped classroom’ teaching approach and the development of Micro-credentials and MOOCs. The first major project, a preparatory course in computing for students of Data Science took place over the summer of 2022 and you can read about the results here.