Featured


Courses

SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

Courses Landing page

Study at SETU Waterford

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

Study at SETU Waterford landing Page

Students

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

Students Landing Page

Schools

SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

Schools Landing Page

International

The Office for International Relations co-ordinates the admission, administration and support for international students throughout the course of their studies at SETU Waterford.

International Landing Page

Research

SETU Waterfordis recognised as the leading research performer in the institute of technology sector with research activities that are internationally benchmarked, strategic, and economically relevant. Find out about the amazing multi disciplinary research under way

Research Landing Page

About

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

About Landing Page

News

Uncover the research discoveries, student and staff achievements, human stories, community spirit, global links and external engagement news at SETU Waterford

News Landing Page

Events

From virtual events to conferences, talks, public lectures and happenings in on-campus venues SETU Waterford is a hub of activity. Stay up to date with our calendar of upcoming events.

Events Landing Page
arrow-down


From a wider School perspective, The LDC is currently contributing to the overall research strategy & work of the School of Lifelong Learning & Education as outlined here.  From a Centre perspective, the LDC is also currently contributing to a number the emerging fields of research in Literacy & FET in the following thematic areas:

  • Learner perspectives on curriculum development in adult and further education;
  • Upskilling pathways to adult education;
  • Engaging with recognition of prior learning for lifelong learning;
  • Professional development of FET practitioners

The LDC has also previously contributed to other fields of research in Literacy & FET. Some recent examples include:

  • Pedagogies in adult and further education;
  • Barriers to Learning for Practitioners and their Learners;
  • Family Literacy Framework Research;
  • One:One Literacy Tuition

The LDC is also research active through a number of other initiatives/activities such as:

  • Progression of literacy & FET practitioners into undergraduate research. In 2019 the Centre will contribute undergraduate research in the areas of under participation of Lone Parents in rural further education opportunities; community supports for further education participation and the implementation of NALA’s   Guidelines on the Inclusion of People with Intellectual Disabilities in adult literacy services;
  • The provision of support for practitioner based research;
  • Taking a pro-active approach to generating Masters by Research proposals that address the theme of Barriers to Learning for Practitioners and their    Learners, by desk research on the policies and literature including the need for research on academic literacies.
     

Key funded research projects currently underway in the Centre include:

  • HEA Innovation  & Transformation Call: Engaging with recognition of prior learning for lifelong learning  A research project in collaboration with the TSSG.
  • Erasmus +Research project: On the area of upskilling pathways to adult education. A number of EU partners involved including SETU Waterford & National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).

The Centre is also interested in research collaborations with other partners. A key relationship contributing to this over the last number of years is that between the Literacy Development Centre & National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).  As research is a key element of the work of both organisations, we collaborate strongly & are committed to the use of research in building on our previous work and promoting the use of evidence based practice to improve teaching and learning for the adult literacy services in Ireland

Current Collaboration:
We are currently working together on research gathering learner perspectives on curriculum development in adult and further education titled ‘Fitting into FET: Learner perspectives on the impact of curriculum development at NFQ Levels 1-3’. Research is currently underway with plans to disseminate report late 2019/early 2020.

Previous Collaboration:

NALA Wealth Model

                                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

The Wealth Model in Adult Literacy: transformative learning in action’, a research partnership WIT/NALA. Launched 2018.

The research that led to the Wealth Model of Adult Literacy, launched in 2018 comes from literacy tutors speaking about their practice, and highlights the distinct elements that result in transformational learning.   

The Wealth Model and the Meeting the Challenges research reports follow on from case study reports relating to good practice in teaching reading and numeracy. They provide good ideas for new tutors, and validate good practice for more experienced tutors.

Meeting The Challenge NALA

 

 

 

This research report, entitled: "Meeting the Challenge: Strategies for Motivating Learners in Adult Education in Ireland" was launched in January 2017. 
It examines current teaching and learning practice in adult literacy provision in the context of the changing profiles of learners.  The research captures motivational teaching practices and presents them in a way other tutors may find useful when seeking to build the motivation levels of learners. 
A pdf copy may be found here by clicking on the image.