“Students learn a great deal by explaining their ideas to others and by participating in activities in which they can learn from their peers” (Boud, 2001). Peer Learning can significantly assist students in the transition into and throughout higher education and strongly motivates learning and enhances student success. This workshop explored the role of Peers in providing a holistic, value-added and enriched student experience. It provided answers to some of the following questions: What is the role of the Peer? How do you select Peers to be involved in structured support? What are the boundaries? What will be the benefits? This workshop was interactive and encouraged participants to consider different approaches to using Peers to support students."

Stephen Brookfield talks about how when teaching something that we love, how difficult it is for us to empathise with students that find the topic boring. The more that we teach the topic, the further removed we become from our first experiences of learning it and the less empathy we are likely to have. Yet empathy and respect strongly correlate with student motivation and motivation is essential to developing understanding. This, final session will explore the importance of empathy and respect.

"“Student Engagement” is a term that is bandied around these days but what does it really mean and why does it matter? Is it all about students or is there a role for staff as well? What are the benefits of student engagement at a course, department, school, faculty and institutional level? How is CIT developing its understanding of Student Engagement in partnership with students and staff? This workshop was designed to give answers to these questions and to provide an insight into what CIT has been and is doing in this space. AnSEO – The Student Engagement Office, part of the Office of the Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs, was formed to work with academic faculty, school and department staff and student services to improve student engagement, progression and successful graduation. Their work is informed by desk research on national and international models of best practice, expert input and advice and student and staff feedback. They explore current issues, develop proactive and collaborative strategies appropriate to need and facilitate their implementation. This session aimed to: Introduce the AnSEO Team – who they are and what they do? Provide an insight from those who deliver and support a number of AnSEO’s programmes about how AnSEO can help staff and their students on the road to success, such as: The Good Start & Just Ask! programmes Academic Success Coaching and Profiling – providing 1-2-1/group coaching and class visits to help all students achieve their academic potential Sparq (Students as Partners in Quality) - facilitated, purposeful conversations between students and staff giving insights into improving the college experience together Academic Learning Centre – free, easily accessible extra support for students in a range of modules Provide an opportunity to discuss other potential opportunities for AnSEO to work more closely together with staff for the benefit of students and each other"

Lectures are still the most widely used teaching method in higher education today. As a method for enhancing learning, the lecture is frequently criticised as being ineffective as most students are passive and disengaged. Yet, lectures can be engaging and highly effective. This workshop aimed: Provide some insight into how students learn Identify some of the barriers to learning students commonly face Encourage participants to reflect on and critique their own lectures Provide some practical and easy ways to make lectures more successful Encourage participants to identify one, or more techniques, that they intend to adopt in the next academic year.