What is this Digital Badge and what does it aim to achieve?
This is a short professional development course on the topic of ‘Using Evidence to Address Educational Disadvantage’.
The aim of the course is to build understanding of educational disadvantage and develop research skills to support evidence-informed decisions and practices. In doing so, the course aims to support educators to better meet the needs of those pupils who are furthest from educational opportunity due to a range of socio-economic barriers.
Who is this course for?
This Digital Badge/course is for educators (teachers, leaders, student teachers, higher education researchers, support professionals etc.) from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to accept registrations from anyone beyond these jurisdictions.
Who is running the course?
This Digital Badge, funded by the Shared Island Initiative, has been developed by working teachers in Ireland, as well as academics within Mary Immaculate College and University of Limerick, with support from Stranmillis University College, Belfast. The T-REX Digital Badge programme was created in collaboration with the Teaching Council and the NCCA. This course is delivered by Dr Karen Orr (T-REX Shared Island Initiative North-South Director) from Mary Immaculate College.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered fully online. Delivery involves three live webinars which will be hosted via Microsoft Teams (recordings will also be made available). The live webinars will be held in the evening (7pm-8/8.30pm). All other content will be self-directed, with online material provided via a bespoke platform (for which you will be provided with login details).
What is the time commitment and cost?
The course runs over the course of nine weeks. The time commitment is approximately 2.5 hours per week.
There is no charge incurred, this course is offered to educators for FREE.
What assessment/coursework is required: Development of an Action Plan
There is no formal assessment or coursework involved in this course. The aim is to sharpen your skills for research and evaluating evidence, and is “light touch” - with a focus on process as much as product.
In order to complete the course, you are required to engage with content and activity each week, as well as engage fully with your peer group, which is required to meet (online or in-person) a minimum of three times over the course of the nine weeks.
The course works towards building your understanding and skills, which are then used in order to develop an evidence-informed Action Plan which will aim to address a challenge related to educational disadvantage within your own setting. The Action Plan is a brief, clearly structured plan focused on your own practice as an educator in your particular setting. The simple, scaffolded document is something which you will take forward and action (in your own time, after the Digital Badge course ends).
Your peer group will verify your commitment to the course and your completion/ undertaking of all necessary course elements. Upon receipt of this confirmation, you will be awarded the Digital Badge.
What will I learn/ what does the course cover?
This course aims to address four key learning outcomes:
Gain a better understanding of ‘educational disadvantage’ and how it impacts school experiences and educational outcomes
Gain a solid understanding of the research process and the value of using evidence in an educational context
Develop the skills needed to be a critical reader of research evidence: searching, reviewing and critiquing
Provide space for reflection on current practice, leading to the development of an evidence-informed action plan for addressing identified aspects of educational disadvantage.
A brief overview of each week is provided below:
Weeks 1 and 2: UNDERSTANDING THE TOPIC (Educational Disadvantage)
Week 1: ‘Welcome session’ and ‘Introduction to educational disadvantage’ - Live online webinar hosted in the evening by Dr Karen Orr. This week is supplemented by self-directed (in your own time) individual reflection and activity.
Week 2: ‘Educational disadvantage: Exploring the evidence’ - Live online webinar hosted in the evening by Dr Karen Orr. This week is supplemented by individual reflection and activity.
Weeks 3-6: BUILDING RESEARCH SKILLS (to address educational disadvantage)
Week 3: ‘Getting into Research’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content and activities.
Week 4: ‘Developing a research question’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content, activities and engagement with peer group.
Week 5: Reading and Critically Reviewing Research Evidence’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content and activities.
Week 6 : ‘Reading research papers’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content, activities and engagement with peer group.
Weeks 7- 9: Expert evening and developing your action plan
Week 7: Live online webinar with invited guest speaker, plus preparations for the development of a bespoke Action Plan targeted to addressing a challenge (related to educational disadvantage) presenting in your own educational context.
Week 8: Independent working (developing your action plan) and drop-in support session
Week 9: Independent working (developing your action plan) and peer verification/ course completion
When does the next course start and how do I sign up?
The next cohort of the Digital Badge will open for registration soon. To register your interest in this free online course, follow this link and we will contact you when registration opens.
Who can I chat with if I have questions
Please feel free to get in touch with Dr Karen Orr (email: Karen.Orr@mic.ul.ie) - T-REX Shared Island Initiative North-South Director