Are We Working Without a Net? A Review of HEI Policies for Digital Teaching and Learning

Keywords: Ireland, Higher Education, Policy, Digital, Teaching, Learning Building digital capacity challenges “many of our basic structures, our assumptions, our policies and procedures, not least regarding our beliefs and... [ view full abstract ]

Keywords: Ireland, Higher Education, Policy, Digital, Teaching, Learning

Building digital capacity challenges “many of our basic structures, our assumptions, our policies and procedures, not least regarding our beliefs and attitudes about the role and nature of higher education itself” (National Forum, 2015, p. vii). The National Forum’s Enabling Policies for Digital Teaching and Learning Project offers an insight into the complex impact building digital capacity is having on our policies.   Using content analysis methods, over 100 existing teaching and learning policy-type documents were reviewed to assess the extent to which they reflected the language of digital teaching and learning.  This presentation outlines the review process and highlights some of the insights gained and provides a snapshot of the sector’s current understanding of the role and purpose of policies.  The presentation will consider the extent to which current policies reflect the challenges and opportunities posed by digital technology and will introduce the concept of an 'enabling policy for teaching and learning in a digital world' which emerged from the National Forum's national project in this area.   The presentation will provide guidance to HEIs on how they might initiate and engage in the sometimes difficult and complex conversations about policies that enable and support the practice of teaching and learning with digital technologies within their institutions.

National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (2015). Teaching and Learning in Irish Education: A Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World 2015-2017.