NCI Blog

As it's Dyslexia Awareness Week, we want to highlight that at NCI, we focus on abilities rather than difficulties which students with dyslexia may experience.

As part of the Centre for Education and Lifelong Learning at National College of Ireland’s Festival of Education and Lifelong Learning, a practice-based early childhood education seminar took place. This event focused on the opportunity digital storytelling represents as a pedagogical tool in early childhood education and Reflective practice in ECEC Educator preparation. Part one of the seminar, which focused on digital storytelling, was facilitated by Dr Marianne Undheim, Associate Professor and Lecturer at the University of Stavanger, Norway.

This is a guest post written by Conor Thompson, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Coordinator at NCI. Conor completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Further Education in 2020 after which he joined the NCI team to support students with a diverse range of educational needs and learning differences. He transitioned into his current role to promote inclusive learning strategies across the College. Conor explains what UDL is, how it is implemented at NCI and lists some useful resources in this article.

This is a guest blog post by Dr Michael Goldrick, Programme Director of the learning and technology courses at National College of Ireland.

National College of Ireland has extended its long-established and highly reputed BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), from evening delivery to also being offered as a daytime course to CAO applicants.

The world of education changed this year. Where once, the idea of blended or fully-online teaching and learning was an option, or even an aspiration, this year has necessitated an adaptation for most of us, to technology enhanced learning.

Dr Meghan Marrero continues her guest blog, this week giving an insight into her work with young children and STEM education. Why STEM for young children?

We are delighted to welcome Dr Meghan Marrero to NCI. She has generously agreed to take the time to blog about her work here in Dublin.

It’s quite fashionable to say the education system is broken.  It’s not broken, it's wonderfully constructed.  It’s just that we don’t need it anymore.  It’s outdated. - Sugata Mitra

There is little doubt that teaching, learning and development in the 21st century is undergoing fundamental and substantial change. Learning is no longer limited to primary or secondary school contexts – there is now a growing need for professional educators to meet the needs of lifelong learners in workplace, community, voluntary or other educational settings.