Teaching & Learning

What is the programme about?
The Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning aims to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and competencies to design, teach, assess and evaluate educational programmes and to enable them to become professional, reflective practitioners. It will also equip graduates for roles in academic leadership and/or research supervision.

The embedded Postgraduate Diploma comprises five mandatory modules and one elective module.

What subject areas will I study?
Teaching and Learning 1
Teaching and Learning 2
Assessment and Feedback
Curriculum Design
Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning
Education Research Methods
Masters Research Project

Elective Subjects:
Academic Leadership
Research Supervision
Coaching and Mentoring in Education

Entry requirements are a Level 8 degree, minimum of Second Class Honours, Grade 2 or equivalent. IT Carlow operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPL) scheme whereby applicants may be considered, based on relevant work and other experience, for exemptions from programme modules and advanced entry. As critical reflection on teaching and learning practices is an integral part of this programme, applicants should be currently involved in (or envisage being involved in) an active teaching role. All applicants will be considered on a case by case basis. IT Carlow reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the programme.

2 years part-time.

What will I be able to do when I finish this programme?
On completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically analyse current theories and research in teaching, learning and assessment practices and policies in higher education;

• Assess, select and evaluate the use of varied teaching and assessment strategies, including the integration of digital technologies to ensure effective teaching practices and enhance student engagement;

• Synthesise pedagogical research with discipline-based expertise to enhance models of higher education practice and the design of education programmes for diverse learners;

• Apply the reflective practitioner model in order to identify and promote improvements to own practice, whilst demonstrating professionalism and high ethical standards;

• Demonstrate initiative and leadership skills in working with peers and other educators and the wider community in designing curricula, leading programmes and/or conducting research supervision in diverse educational settings;

• Evaluate the wider social, political and economic environment within which the teaching professional operates;

• Demonstrate reflectivity and creativity in the interpretation and application of concepts, methods and approaches to teaching, learning and assessment;

• Develop knowledge and expertise in the use of appropriate research methods in higher education and use these to research practice and make a contribution to knowledge;

• Design and execute an independent, critical, and reflective professional investigation which examines the relationship between theory and practice, adopting the most appropriate research methods to address and analyse the identified issues.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates of the programme may progress to a PhD programme of study in the discipline areas, in Ireland or abroad and may also be eligible to progress to a professional doctorate in the field of teaching and learning. Individual modules from the programme are now offered as standalone modules and are accredited as minor awards at Level 9. These modules are as follows:

• Certificate in Teaching and Learning 1 (Foundation)
• Certificate in Teaching and Learning 2 (Advanced)
• Certificate in Technology-Enhanced Teaching & Learning
• Certificate in Research Supervision.
• Certificate in Assessment and Feedback
• Certificate in Curriculum Design
• Certificate in Academic Leadership
• Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Education.