GMIT science lecturer Dr Cormac Quigley wins top Education Award 2019

Dr Cormac Quigley, GMIT lecturer in Chemistry & Forensic Science, has been awarded ‘Best Use of Educational Technology’ on behalf of the School of Science and Computing at the Education Awards 2019.

Dr Quigley, who is one of the recipients of the 2017 GMIT President’s Award for Teaching Excellence, led a project entitled “Blending Chemistry”. Selected from a shortlist of projects from Universities and Institutes of Technology across the country, this project brings new and innovative teaching methods into use to allow the GMIT ethos to prosper - an ethos which relies upon student-lecturer interaction to embed industry ready practical skills.

Key innovations which set this project apart are the creation of the GMIT lightboard studio – the first in the country, an adaptive personalized online workspace and the use of learning analytics. The lightboard studio allows lecturers to move their blackboard work into an online setting while keeping the interactive feel of a traditional classroom which is so important for effective teaching. It allows educators to produce online ready content in real time in a fast, user-friendly and familiar environment.

With this move online, as students complement traditional classroom time with online activities, it is possible to create “Learner Analytics”. Using analytics, it has been possible to create meaningful student feedback and see a measurable and meaningful improvement in student learning, practical skills and satisfaction. This has allowed for the implementation of evidence-based teaching strategies which continue to improve the student experience in GMIT’s School of Science and Computing, as it has grown to be one of the largest in the country.

Dr Cormac Quigley, the principal investigator behind the project states: “These innovations in online engagement mean that student interaction can happen well beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom and are allowing lecturers to bridge the gap between traditional classrooms and online teaching”

Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences, says: “We are delighted with the many innovations in teaching that our staff at GMIT have been involved in. Dr Cormac Quigley has been instrumental in driving innovation forward in the School and the Institute.”

Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences, says: “We are delighted with the many innovations in teaching that our staff at GMIT have been involved in. Dr Cormac Quigley has been instrumental in driving innovation forward in the School and the Institute.”

For more details about programmes in the GMIT School of Science and Computing: see:

https://www.gmit.ie/science/school-science-and-computing

ENDS

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications Officer, GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.

Tel. 00353 91 742826. Email regina.daly@gmit.ie   www.gmit.ie/news