Irish Version
Dr Ciarán Mac an Bhaird and James O’Malley, from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, have been recognised as outstanding teachers and supporters of learning by The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, in partnership with the Union of Students in Ireland. The Awards mark the culmination of a campaign that saw 38 higher education teachers recognised as Teaching Heroes.
Focused on innovative, creative and inspiring teaching and its impact on student learning, the awards honour the best of Ireland’s higher education teachers for the influence they have on the development of their students and the part they play in promoting educational excellence in higher education.
Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD congratulated the awardees, saying: "The Teaching Hero Awards programme is a valuable initiative that actively supports and promotes excellence in teaching. This year's awards honour outstanding teachers who bring about exceptional learning for students, who thrive in an environment of innovation, creativity and inspiration. Teaching excellence brings out the best in both teacher and student. I wish the National Forum and USI the very best in this Awards partnership that is committed to achieving and maintaining best practice in teaching and learning in our higher education sector."
Commenting at the 2016 Teaching Hero Awards, Dr Terry Maguire, Director of the National Forum said: “The National Forum, in partnership with USI, is delighted to present these awards to very worthy teaching heroes. We have had a fantastic response from higher education students all over the country. These Awards provide students with direct opportunities to recognise excellence in teaching and to have their voices heard as valuable partners in their own education. The Forum congratulates the 2016 heroes who will now become the latest addition to the growing Teaching Hero cohort.”
Since its foundation in 2013, the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education has focused on enhancing teaching and learning for all students in higher education. Engaging with leaders, managers, teachers and students, the Forum mobilises expertise and inputs from across the entire sector to extend and shape best practice. The partnership model, bringing teachers and students together at a national level is one of the key features of the National Forum's work.
Gradaim Náisiúnta Mhúinteoireachta bronnta ar Acadóirí ó Ollscoil Mhá Nuad
Tá aitheantas tugtha don Dr Ciarán Mac an Bhaird agus do James O’Malley, ó Roinn Matamaitice agus Staitisticí Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, mar theagascóirí den scoth a thacaíonn leis an bhfoghlaim, ag an bhFóram Náisiúnta um Fheabhsú Múinteoireachta agus Foghlama i gcomhpháirtíocht le hAontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn. Is iad na Gradaim seo an buaicphointe i bhfeachtas a thugann aitheantas d’ochtar múinteoir ardoideachais is tríocha mar ‘Laochra Múinteoireachta’.
Díríonn na gradaim seo ar mhúinteoireacht nuálach, chruthaitheach agus spreagúil agus an tionchar a bhíonn aici ar fhoghlaim na mac léinn. Tugann na gradaim seo aitheantas do na múinteoirí ardoideachais is fearr, don tionchar a bhíonn acu ar fhorbairt a gcuid mac léinn agus don ról a bhíonn acu barr feabhais oideachais a chur chun cinn san ardoideachas.
Rinne an tAire Oideachais agus Scileanna, Richard Bruton TD, comhghairdeas leo siúd a bhain amach na gradaim. Dúirt sé: “Is tionscnamh fiúntach é clár Ghradaim na Laochra Múinteoireachta. Tacaíonn sé le barr feabhais a bhaint amach sa mhúinteoireacht agus cuireann sé leis. Tugann gradaim na bliana seo aitheantas do mhúinteoirí den scoth a chuireann eispéireas foghlama eisceachtúil ar fáil do mhic léinn, a n-éiríonn go maith leo i dtimpeallacht na nuálaíochta, na cruthaitheachta agus na hinspioráide.
Spreagann barr feabhais sa mhúinteoireacht na múinteoirí agus na mic léinn chun barr a gcumais a bhaint amach. Guím gach rath ar an bhFóram Náisiúnta agus ar an USI sa chomhpháirtíocht seo atá tiomanta do dhea-chleachtas a bhaint amach agus a choinneáil sa mhúinteoireacht agus san fhoghlaim in earnáil an ardoideachais.”
Agus é ag labhairt ag Gradaim na Laochra Múinteoireachta 2016, dúirt an Dr Terry Maguire, Stiúrthóir an Fhóraim Náisiúnta: “Tá ríméad ar an bhFóram Náisiúnta, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an USI, na gradaim seo a bhronnadh ar laochra múinteoireachta a bhfuil ard-mheas ag dul dóibh. Fuaireamar aiseolas iontach ó mhic léinn ardoideachais ar fud na tíre. Cuireann na Gradaim seo deiseanna díreacha ar fáil do mhic léinn barr feabhais a aithint agus a dtuairimí a roinnt mar pháirtithe fiúntacha ina n-oideachas féin. Déanann an Fóram comhghairdeas le laochra 2016, na laochra is déanaí i gcohórt na Laochra Múinteoireachta.”
Ó bunaíodh é sa bhliain 2013, dhírigh an Fóram Náisiúnta um Fheabhsú Múinteoireachta agus Foghlama san Ardoideachas ar feabhas a chur ar mhúinteoireacht agus ar an eispéireas foghlama a bhíonn ag gach mac léinn san ardoideachas. Bíonn an Fóram ag plé le ceannairí, bainisteoirí, múinteoirí agus mic léinn. Tugann an Fóram spreagadh do shaineolas agus d’ionchur ón earnáil iomlán leis an dea-chleachtas a leathnú agus a mhúnlú. Tugann an múnla comhpháirtíochta múinteoirí agus mic léinn le chéile ag leibhéal náisiúnta agus tá sé ar cheann de na heochairghnéithe a bhaineann le hobair an Fhóraim Náisiúnta.