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IA40480

Academic Year 2025/2026

Professional Practice for Educators: Action Learning Project Implementation (IA40480)

Subject:
Innovation Academy
College:
VP - Research, Innov & Impact
School:
Innovation Academy
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Ms Jacinta Owens
Trimester:
Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS PROGRAMME BASED. THIS MODULE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER UCD STUDENTS.

The aim of the Professional Practice module is to enable participants to apply and build on lessons learnt from the Professional Certificate in Creativity & Innovation in Education to a real-world project to further develop their creativity, leadership and entrepreneurial mindset as well as developing their overall professional practice as an Entrepreneurial Educator.

Participants will undertake independent project work in their professional environment, and connect with peers during monthly facilitated class sessions and action learning groups.

The project provides the opportunity to draw from prior learning around creativity, innovation, leadership, entrepreneurial thinking & action and consider how it can be applied in their organisation and the real-world. The class days are designed to help participants stay connected to the tools, techniques and learning themes the have experienced throughout the course. The action learning groups provide an opportunity for peer inquiry and discussion around each participant's project.

Professional practice will be developed through the implementation of creative and innovative solutions which seek to address needs or opportunities in the professional environment. Participants will consider how to apply an entrepreneurial mind-set to effectively lead change by creating, testing and innovating new methods, approaches and solutions in their real-world context.

UCD Innovation Academy

At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are a group of Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, educators, business and social entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, creative professionals and design thinking practitioners.

We take an action-oriented approach to learning, with a combination of individual, group and class tasks and activities, including discussions, presentations and reflection. All of our teaching is grounded in academic rigour, but our focus is on ‘learning by doing’ in a real-world context.

www.innovationacademy.ie

**Enrolment on an Innovation Academy module means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at all scheduled classes**

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module participants will:

• have applied their prior learning to develop and implement a project in a professional environment
• understand the barriers and obstacles involved in developing and implementing innovative practices and solutions in a real-world context
• be able to use problem solving tools and techniques and understand the process for initiating and using creative techniques within project structures
• have the ability to reflect on both the process and outcome of the applied project and reflect on failures, improvements and opportunities
• have further expanded their personal networks, in conjunction with the invaluable professional experience of working on a focused independent project

Indicative Module Content:

Participants will identify an action-learning project based on the needs or opportunities within their school, college, institution, community or context.

Participants will supported by facilitated class sessions and peer group work sessions.

At the end of the project phase, participants will share their project and lessons learnt with their class and an audience of their peers.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

192
Autonomous Student Learning

32
Small Group

10
Project Supervision

16
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Project-Based Learning
Peer and Group Work
Reflective Learning
Enquiry & Problem-based learning
Student Presentations

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in scheduled class sessions and peer-learning groups. Week 1, Week 4, Week 10 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
20
 Yes
Reflective Assignment: Personal Reflection Week 14 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
20
 Yes
Individual Project: Students are assessed by the design, development and implementation of an Action Learning Project and project report. This could also be a group project. Week 14 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
60
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to participants on an ongoing basis throughout the project work, on request and via class activities.

Wholesome Leadership: The Heart, Head, Hands & Health of School Leaders Paperback – 28 May 2018
by Tom Rees (Author),
Leadership in Higher Education: Practices That Matter Hardcover – 17 Sept. 2019
by James M. Kouzes Barry Z. Posner
The New Education: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World In Flux Hardcover – 28 Sept. 2017
by Cathy N. Davidson

Name Role
Duc Minh Vu Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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