EDIN Winter School 16, 17 February 2011

The EDIN Winter School 'Writing for Publication' took place last week on 16 and 17 February in Dublin. Educational developers from around Ireland attended and explored critical academic writing from a range of perspectives.

Writing for publication was the main theme and practical approaches to getting published were considered including choosing a journal, identifying impact factors and how the peer review process works. The role of editors and editorial board in a journal and how this varies from journal to journal was discussed.

Writing as part of the academic work of educational developers was explored. Developing a personal writing strategy was the focus of one session and examples of writing journeys were presented. Writing strategies such as writing groups and circles were discussed both for educational developers and for academics in general.

Educational developers also support academics as they develop writing skills themselves and with their students. Pedagogies of critical academic writing were suggested. The two days were highly interactive and the writing exercises used were most useful for developing and supporting critical academic writing.

Thanks to EDIN Committee members Dr Ciara O'Farrell and Dr Marian Fitzmaurice for organising and running the Winter School. Thanks to the presenters - Ciara, Marian, Helen Fallon, Roisin Donnelly, Geraldine O'Neill, Terry Barrett, Kelly Coate and Sarah Moore for a stimulating two days. The Winter School resources will be uploaded to the EDIN website shortly. Thank you EDIN members for attending.

EDIN Update January 2011

EDIN Winter School 16, 17 February 2011

The EDIN Winter School has been rescheduled for 16, 17 February and is booked out. Thanks to our presenters, the venue and our members. We look forward to 'Writing for Publication' and the educational development publications that emerge from the two days.

National Strategy for Higher Education in Ireland

The National Strategy for Higher Education in Ireland, commonly known as the Hunt report, was published in January. The report is available from the HEA website http://www.hea.ie/en/node/1303. This is an important report for higher education, teaching and learning and educational development. EDIN will be exploring the issues over coming months.

Happy Christmas and Winter School Update

EDIN is delighted to announce that the EDIN Winter School 'Writing for Publication' has been rescheduled for Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 February 2011. We would like to thank the presenters, participants and venue for facilitating this change of date. We look forward to the event. Everyone who booked for November will be booked for February and we will be communicating with you about your booking.

Please do explore the EDIN website. There are some changes and updates. Information on EDIN events is found on the Activities page and other items of interest to educational developers e.g. conferences, seminars, call for papers are on the News & Events page. The links pages has been updated.

On behalf of the Committee we wish all EDIN members a happy educational development Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Urgent - Cancelled EDIN Winter School 29, 30 November 2010

It is with regret that due to the adverse weather conditions, we have decided to cancel the EDIN Winter School on Monday and Tuesday 29/30 November. We will definitely run the event again in the new year and all who booked for this week will be given first preference to attend.

If you have queries please contact Marion Palmer (Chair).

EDIN Committee members - please note the Committee meeting scheduled for 4 pm on Monday 29 November is also cancelled.

EDIN Winter School 29, 30 November 2010

EDIN is delighted to announce its forthcoming Winter School for members Writing for Publication. It will take place on 29, 30 November 2010 in Dublin, booking information is here. The Winter School has been developed by Dr Ciara O'Farrell of TCD and Dr Marian Fitzmaurice of DIT and draws on the expertise and experience of EDIN members. It will focus on journal selection, the peer review process, developing academic writing and will consider writing groups and issues in writing a journal article. The Winter School is open to EDIN members only and places are limited.

Educational development awaits the Hunt report

Educational development has grown and developed as a field in Ireland over the last ten years. EDIN is evidence of the work on the ground with over ninety members across the country. Educational development has been essential to the growth of higher education and EDIN awaits the forthcoming review of higher education with great interest.

EDIN Update September 2010

Welcome to the start of the new academic year.

Over the summer EDIN was at ICED2010 in Barcelona, please see Ciara O'Farrell's note below. The EDIN Committee met in June and is working on updating the website and making it the key means of communication with members. We are working on a programme of events and will be in contact by email.

Marion Palmer

Chair

Ciara O'Farrell writes:

In early July Marian Fitzmaurice and I facilitated a workshop at the ICED conference in Barcelona. The workshop centred on the uses of narratives of Practice not only in supporting Academics but also Academic Developers. Both Marian and I feel strongly that we need to drive forward our own continuous development within EDIN and, as part of the EDIN committee we are planning some related initiatives in the following academic year.

The ICED conference was very interesting and our workshop was well received. One outcome of the conference for both of us was that we felt Academic Practice in Ireland is well positioned in relation to other countries – the quality of our output is well up there!

If anybody wants to talk about Narratives of Practice, feel free to contact either of us.

Ciara O’Farrell