Learning and Teaching Unit Staff

Nuala Harding Learning and Teaching Coordinator Nuala is the Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator in Athlone Institute of Technology since 2006. A graduate of St Angela’s College of Education, Nuala was appointed lecturer in the School of Humanities at Athlone Institute of Technology in 2000. She was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning and Teaching in 2004 and an M.A in Third Level Learning and Teaching in 2007. Nuala co-ordinates the activities of the AIT Learning and Teaching Unit which was established in 2006. The unit is dedicated to the support and advancement of learning, teaching and assessment in the institute. Her current research interests include the development of academic practice, learning enhancement through peer assisted learning and technology enhanced learning.
Miriam O’Connor Educational Developer Miriam O’Connor is a member of the Learning and Teaching Team in Athlone Institute of Technology since 2009. Miriam was appointed lecturer at Athlone Institute of Technology in 1997. She is a graduate of University of Limerick and was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning and Teaching in 2009 from NUI Maynooth. She also received a Post Grad in DMD in Education from University of Limerick in 2008 and an M.A in Education in 2009 from University of Limerick. Miriam is a member of staff of the School of Science presently working with the Department of Life and Physical Sciences and the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Geraldine McDermott Learning Technologist Geraldine Mc Dermott was appointed as French & German lecturer to the School of Humanities in Athlone Institute of Technology in 2000. An Arts graduate of NUI, Galway with an M.A. (Hons) in French; she has also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Analysis and is currently studying for an MSc. in Software Engineering. In her role as Learning Technologist with the Learning & Teaching Unit, Geraldine currently co-ordinates and provides training for staff in the use of the college Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle. She also provides online support for Moodle, as well as support for other software used in education, such as Camtasia, Articulate and Student Diary Pro. Her research interests include second language acquisition, social media and technology enhanced learning.
Luke Fannon Educational Developer Luke Fannon is a lecturer in the School of Business in Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). After graduating from AIT, Luke worked for ten years as an accountant before returning to AIT to lecture in 2005. He is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Irish Tax Institute. Luke was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching in 2008. His current research interests include learning enhancement through technology enhanced learning.
Michael Russell Educational Developer Mike graduated from University College Cork in 1986 and 1988 with a B.Sc. (Hons) and M.S.c (Hons) in Computer Science. After spending a number of years working in the Software Industry, he joined Athlone Institute of Technology in 1996 as a lecturer in Software Engineering with responsibility for Requirements Engineering, Software Test, and Software Quality Management. He currently supervises two postgraduate students with the research focused on Neural Networks and Machine Learning. Mike recently complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education at NUI Maynooth in 2009 and now also lectures on the Certificate in Learning and Teaching course run by Athlone Institute of Technology.
Aisling Keenan Project Coordinator Aisling Keenan is the project coordinator of the Learning and Teaching Unit in Athlone Institute of Technology since 2009. Aisling also works as a part time lecturer with the Adult Education Department in Athlone Institute of Technology in the area of Web Design and Development since 2006. A graduate of National University of Ireland, Galway Aisling was awarded a Masters in Business Studies and Electronic Commerce. Aisling is currently studying a Post Grad Certificate in Learning and Teaching using a blended Learning approach in 2010. Her current interests include peer assisted learning and technology enhanced learning.
Seamus Ryan Instructional Designer Seamus Ryan has lectured in the schools of Business and Engineering since 1993. Prior to that, he spent 10 years working in various engineering roles in the electronics manufacturing industry. He earned a B.Eng (Production Engineering) from NIHEL (now UL), and an MBA from NUIG.In 2005 he earned an MSc. (IT in Education) from TCD. His research interests include, pedagogically appropriate technology in the classroom and the development of effective blended learning programmes. He has been involved with the Teaching and Learning Unit since 2007 and is currently Learning Technology Coordinator.
Sheila Faherty Educational Developer Sheila Faherty is a lecturer in the Dept. of Nursing and Health Science in Institute of Technology. With a BSc and PhD from NUIG and postdoctoral experience from the RCSI, Sheila was appointed lecturer in Biological Science in 2004. Current research includes studies on breast cancer, nurse education, nutrition in cancer and nutrition the elderly. Having completed a Postgraduate certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching with DIT earlier this year, Sheila has joined the Moodle support team which forms part of the teaching and learning unit. Sheila’s interests in this area include the use of ICT in course delivery and the creation of reusable learning objects.