TU Dublin published its first Digital Education Policy in September 2023. It sets out the philosophy, scope, and principles for the integration of digital education and flexible modes of delivery at TU Dublin to achieve our aims and objective in this space. Furthermore, the policy supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 ‘Quality Education’ which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Digitally enhanced learning also has the potential to support SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) by facilitating universal design for learning; SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) by reducing the need for commuting; and SDG 12 (Responsible production and consumption) by reducing the need for printing.
In the Strategic Intent to 2030, TU Dublin sets out the aim of every programme having sustainability as a learning outcome. This aligns with both the University Graduate Attributes, and the University Education Model, Fundamental 7, which has the aim that learners develop a deep, practical, understanding of sustainability, both within their discipline as well as for life, that encourages positive sustainability change.
Under the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (SATLE), awarded by the National Forum/HEA, Digital Education and Sustainability Education joined forces to offer €5,000 each to a number of programme-based projects that committed to implementing at least one change to practice that could be aligned with either the digital education policy and/or sustainability education. Project submissions that combined both aspects were viewed favourably.
Thirty-eight submissions were received and the following sixteen projects were funded. Work will commence in September 2024. Recipients will provide a work-in-progress report at the annual Teaching and Learning Showcase in January 2025.
| Name & School | Project Details |
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Alan McDonnell School of Mechanical Engineering |
"The development of Virtual Reality Simulation of bespoke engineering experimental equipment and laboratory session" Extended Reality ‘XR’ (including Virtual Reality ‘VR’ and Augmented Reality ‘AR’) is a growing platform for digital education, in academic and industrial settings. XR solutions are leveraged in industry as a cost-effective, high-quality platform for demonstration and training. The primary output of any VR solution is a non-physical/virtual simulation with negligible maintenance cost, reducing the need for physical equipment. This project will develop and implement a Virtual Reality ‘VR’ simulation for student interaction with specific engineering equipment, a bespoke mechanical pump rig, as an enhancement to a specific module in the TU024 Engineering Reliability Management programme. The project would comprise three phases: VR content development, integration of Virtual Reality platform, review of project efficacy. In exposing students to industry-relevant VR simulations, it is hoped to promote a culture of virtual design. This project can engage engineering students in alternate design and testing methodologies, and also substantially reduce the need for one-off consumption of materials and equipment. The outputs from this project will provide an opportunity to promote/showcase digital education innovation within the School, University, and to a wider audience. |
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Kirk McCormack School of Architecture Building and Environment |
"The Building Energy Rating Reality Capture Project: A rich digital open educational resource to address the national demand for upskilling in the energy assessment of dwellings." The challenge that underpins the proposal arises from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) desire to increase the number of Building Energy Rating (BER) Assessors available to the housing market, which typical training partners alone do not seem to be delivering at present, and also, following a review by our programme team on the BSc in Architectural Technology, we have identified a difficulty in managing and teaching large numbers of students how to survey and assess existing dwellings. SEAI and the Architectural Technologies Discipline in the TU Dublin School of Architecture Building and Environment (SABE) believe that we can develop a new module that will prepare undergraduates to act in the role of registered BER assessors after year 3 of our existing programme. We also believe we can address the problem of bringing large numbers of students to existing dwellings, and the inherent problems this creates with space and group management, through an innovative digital solution. This funding will enable us to create three high quality digital reality captures of case study houses around Ireland that can be used by educators and learners to remotely access "existing dwellings", as groups and individuals, to practice the assessment, survey, and upgrade of such properties. Our plan of work will include the selection of two dwellings, one of historical solid-wall building fabric, a second that represents modern cavity wall construction, and a final contemporary dwelling that is at construction stage, where we can scan/ capture it several times and create a reality capture allowing the exploration and explanation of the building technology through a time sequence. This will create a rich open educational resource and address a national demand for upskilling. |
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Lejla Rovcanin & School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering School of Transport & Civil Engineering |
"SDG focused cross-venue MATLAB education" Engineering Computing, a core module at TU805 Engineering General Entry programme introduces programming concepts using MATLAB (high-level numerical-computing environment). Structuring, timing and collaboration aspects in engineering education will be explored to identify best practices. A game-inspired flexible module delivery model will be developed for multi-venue and multi-mode delivery. The aim is to (a) enhance learning experiences, sustain engagement and encourage continuous learning and (b) create a delivery model that could be easily deployed beyond this module/programme and used in modules delivered cross-campus by a number of lecturers/staff. |
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Gerard Ryder School of Mechanical Engineering |
"The Living Lab for environmental and biodiversity regeneration " The aim for this project is to develop a series of living labs that allow students from TU Dublin and from primary and post primary schools in our local communities to monitor the local environment and test and evaluate engineering solutions for biodiversity regeneration. The sensors and other equipment installed as part of this project will be accessible by all undergraduates on all 3 campuses and local primary and post-primary students via a LORAWAN network. A series of presentations will be developed and linked to the SDG resources already developed within TU Dublin. These resources will accompany the living labs and will teach students at all levels the key challenges that our environment faces and how engineers and scientists can be part of the solution. The project will also develop a series of age-appropriate experimental studies based around a Living Lab concept with practical, hands-on experiments that are designed to help students understand the role of energy, mechanical and electronic engineers in monitoring and restoring the environment. |
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Paul Lawlor & School of Mechanical Engineering |
"Survey & Analysis Project Module" The Survey and Analysis Project Module forms part of the final year Integrated Project Module in the BSc in Spatial Planning Programme in Bolton Street. It involves the completion of an indepth survey of a range of core sustainability themes in an existing urban area and the analysis of the survey findings. The core sustainability themes that will be investigated include;
The analysis of the survey findings will inform the preparation of a Local Area Plan in Semester II of the same BSc Programme. The project module has a range of anticipated impacts which as follows;
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Emma Geoghan School of Architecture, Building and Environment |
"Digital Spatial Mapping of Vacant and Derelict properties" Dereliction and Vacancy Mapping has been recognised as a key element of sustainable urban renewal strategies and the availability of a clear and easily accessible data set is key to ensuring that opportunities related to underused buildings can be harnessed. For the last number of years TU Dublin Architecture students have been studying their local urban context, North Inner City and Grangegorman to identify opportunities for sustainable urban regeneration opportunities including the provision of housing and student accommodation. This project, with support from the TU Dublin SATLE Digital Education and Sustainability fund will build on the existing data gathered by students from the TU832 Bachelor of Architecture and TU282 Master of Architecture programmes and create digital maps using GIS tools to accurately show derelict and vacant properties in the vicinity of the TU Dublin City Campus. A digital repository will be created using a combination of fieldwork, on the ground research and mapping and implementation of GIS mapping software. The project will be delivered through existing elective modules in SABE which facilitate community based research and learning and equip students with the necessary soft skills to engage with stakeholders including local authorities and community representatives. The first stage will involve a small group of the Master of Architecture students developing the digital resource. The second stage will involve a group of Bachelor of Architecture students finalising the mapping and engaging in community engaged participatory projects to disseminate the information to relevant stakeholders. |
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Brian Byrne School of Accounting, Economics, and Finance |
"Python for Data Scraping, Data Analysis and Machine Learning" This project aims to create a comprehensive video series to enhance digital literacy in key areas of finance. The series will cover Python programming for financial modelling, data analysis, data scraping, and machine learning. Additionally, it will demonstrate how to deploy artificial intelligence to build a robust database on digital assets enforcement actions by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission). By providing practical, hands-on tutorials, this initiative seeks to equip students and professionals with the essential digital skills needed to navigate and leverage modern financial technologies. The expected impact is to foster a deeper understanding of digital tools in finance, enhance data-driven decision-making, and prepare students for the evolving landscape of financial regulation and enforcement. |
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Roisin Vize School of Marketing and Entrepreneurship |
"Exploring the impact of digital simulation game-based learning on sustainability education " This project explores the impact of using a digital simulation game-based teaching and learning resource on developing sustainability education in business students. Simulation based learning is a pedagogical approach that allows students to practice their skills and knowledge in realistic and immersive scenarios that are risk free. This tool provides an inclusive, engaging, and transformative learning experience that works for students with diverse learning needs. It also facilitates authentic and creative assessment strategies. This learning platform combines theoretical business concepts and frameworks through the lens of sustainability. In so doing, participants learn to make informed decisions and implement sustainable solutions for complex problems that cut across company functional areas. The game crosses 13 of the 17 SDG's so there is substantial learning opportunities of these important climate goals. By learning sustainability business solutions, students understand the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues and the impact of business decisions and actions on the planet and society. This pilot project will measure learning impact using a survey pre simulation and post simulation use, to benchmark the impact of simulation-based pedagogy on sustainability education in the business discipline. |
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Rodger Faherty School of Business Technology, Supply Chain & Retail |
"AI Chatbot for Programme/University Sustainability" The AI Chatbot for Sustainability project aims to develop and deploy an intelligent chatbot that will be made available to students on a pilot basis within the Marketing Management Programme (TU932 (MKT). The Chatbot will assist third-level students in querying information related to university sustainability policies, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and the Green Computing Initiative (GreenComp). The Chatbot will provide accurate and timely responses, enhancing students’ awareness and engagement with sustainability initiatives. Expected impact:
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Mary Jane Webberley School of Accounting, Economics and Finance |
"A case study on the effects of sustainability-oriented work placement on student mindset" Work placement programmes support the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 by providing employability opportunities for students. Higher education should address the skills required for effective engagement in both society and in the workplace and thus learning outcome, pedagogies and assessments should reflect this (Hunt, 2011). The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030 reiterates the need for dialogue and partnerships between educational institutes and enterprises to facilitate information sharing and engagement on Educating for Sustainable Development (Department of Education, 2022). With both strategies aiming to encourage Educating for Sustainability and Work Placement, my proposal is to collaborate both these agendas and introduce a sustainability-orientated work placement. This projects involves the re-design of the work placement strand of an accounting and finance undergraduate degree, to re-frame placement within a sustainability-oriented ecology of learning. The integration of curriculum and teaching and learning approaches that offer opportunities for students to explore their values-bases via-a-vis sustainability (their normative competence) is critical in learning for sustainability. The re-framed placement programme will aim to integrate content and deploy pedagogies that foster values (re-) orientation towards sustainability, and action for sustainability within the work-placement/ sites of practice. |
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Siobhan Killion, School of Management, People and Organisations, School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Access and Outreach Office |
"The Business Game " The Business Game was initially Developed from a Physical Board game and used to Engage Students from Local Schools as Part of TU Dublin's Junior Cycle Workshop Programme. This idea was then developed for their TY Challenge to make the game available as a 'virtual version' that would have more digital interactivity, whilst still retaining the more business and maths literacy elements of the game. The game is a fun and exciting way of Engaging students - beginning with an introduction by lecturers on what it means to set up your own business with branding? - then introducing basic concepts and skills of Accountancy, Business terms, organisation and entrepreneurial ideas.... There is an exciting competitive side to the business workshop with prizes for the top 3 teams at the end of the Game! |
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Bilal Javed School of Food Science and Environmental Health |
"Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence-Based Digital Platforms for Sustainable Biomanufacturing Process Development and Their Life Cycle Assessment (AI-SUB-LCA) " This project aims to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) based platforms for the design and development of digital sustainable biomanufacturing processes to reduce the industries’ environmental footprint. Additionally, it involves conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the biomanufacturing processes to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all stages of the life cycle of bioproducts. The detailed aims of the project are as follows:
This project will improve the understanding of AI-driven models and their role in the design of sustainable biomanufacturing processes. Evaluation of AI and its potential in biomanufacturing can inform the development of future courses or modules within the Biotechnology program. The integration of cutting-edge AI technology with sustainability principles can better prepare future biomanufacturing professionals to design, develop, and monitor biomanufacturing processes to address the sustainability challenges of the evolving biomanufacturing industry. Presenting the project findings to faculty, researchers, and industry, the project can stimulate further discussion and collaboration on AI-powered sustainable biomanufacturing and their life cycle assessment. |
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Louise Bellew, School of Tourism and Hospitality Management |
"Building Digital and Sustainability Capabilities in Tourism" The aim of this project is to build upon the digital and sustainable approach that has already been taken in the BA Tourism Management, BSc Tourism Management and BSc Tourism and Digital Marketing programmes in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Throughout the programmes there are examples of assessments, course content and approaches which fulfil TU Dublin’s focus on developing digitally capable and sustainability focussed global citizens.
The project seeks to make a change in practice by taking a programmatic approach to develop a sustainability and digital journey for students from years 2 to 4. We are taking a multi-programme approach as many modules are shared across programmes.
The team has identified 4 levels of digital and sustainability: fundamentals, literacy, competency and transformation. Using SATLE funding last year we previously developed strategies to enhance fundamentals / knowledge levels in first year modules. This proposal builds on that with years 2-4. Funding will be used to purchase VR headsets, podcast and videocast equipment and licences for “Google Earth” and “Storymaps” training. |
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Rachel Freeman & School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology |
"Sustainability in Horticulture" The purpose of this project is to enhance the ecological, environmental and biodiversity skills of participants, to drive their understanding of the possibilities of digital technologies in terms of their discipline and deliver a programme which enables broad engagement. These subject areas are fundamental segments of Landscape sustainability education within the discipline of horticulture. Through the delivery of further the education to the general public, alongside the upskilling of horticulture industry professionals, we aim to drive a movement away from a reliance on traditional methods of horticulture production and landscape maintenance towards sustainability driven approaches which deliver on food/ornamental production and landscape/urban recreational space yet support, restore and enhance the natural environment. |
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Anna Cruickshank, School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology |
"Waste not, Want not: Transforming Culinary Innovation & Food Product Development" The traditional approach within academia to student driven product development often emphasises individual effort, where students work in silos to develop a product meeting a specific brief. However educational best practice recognises the importance of collaboration and sustainability. With this in mind; the students will be provided with a food product development brief with a sustainable and healthy focus which asks them to individually develop a product and then as a new approach; transition into teams to create a second product with zero food waste due to valorisation of all food surplus generated in the initial development process. The project will have a strong focus on human health and diet, making sustainable and nutritious products and paying close attention to portion control, storage and food waste and loss. Outcomes This change in approach will embed Circularity within the Food Product Development process which can contribute to food waste reduction while also promoting resourcefulness and ingenuity.
The food industry calls for graduates that can work with individual creative initiative but can also work collaboratively to address complex sustainability challenges. This project will help to cultivate individual problem-solving skills and then to foster teamwork, resourcefulness, and a culture of sustainability within the student population. This will provide graduates who are unique in their position as future advocators and actors for food sustainability and transformation of the food product development process. |
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Fiona Faulkner School of Tourism and Hospitality Managment |
"Introducing Sustainability Development Goal problems in Maths Education" This project aims to apply sustainability context to a Fundamental Maths module. The module is taken by students on the Access and International Foundation Programme which are preparatory programmes for higher education. The project will take the current module content and apply sustainability contexts to it using the 17 sustainability development goals as guidance. The first hour of each lecture will focus on procedural learning of the mathematics content while the second hour will focus on applying said learning to a sustainability context problem. The sustainability context problem will come in the form of problem sheets which will generate discussion for students around the sustainability development goals. The proposed project is expected to enhance students’ basic mathematical skills, understanding and confidence using sustainability goals and digital education. The very nature of the problems are expected to enable students to have a greater awareness and knowledge of as well as interest in sustainability in education and the possible ways in which we can positively contribute to the successful achievement of the SDG goals. Students will be encouraged to see their role in Sustainability and how they can have an impact and influence on the future of our country and world. |