Researcher
As an art educator and researcher, I am passionate about exploring creativity and interdisciplinary learning in education. My work emphasizes recognizing each student's individuality and integrating local biodiversity and community engagement to enhance learning. Through my research, I aim to connect art and education, inspiring creativity and improving teaching practices.
Short Course
The Junior Cycle education framework places students at the center of learning, fostering active participation in their communities and society while promoting confidence and resourcefulness. It emphasizes inclusivity, equality of opportunity, and meaningful connections with engaging, relevant, and enjoyable learning experiences. The program contributes to students' physical, mental, and social wellbeing, nurturing their creativity, innovation, and enterprise. By building on prior learning, the Junior Cycle supports skill development for lifelong learning and prepares students to face future challenges effectively.
Research Project Proposal
This research project explores the social changes in the architectural history of Killarney’s Main Street through a Junior Cycle visual art curriculum, culminating in the creation of a textile mural. Students will work in groups to research, document, and design a creative response to the town’s evolving identity, while fulfilling key curriculum objectives like collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. The project incorporates literature and methodologies that emphasize group work, emotional connection, and thematic analysis to enhance student engagement and understanding of societal change. Data will be collected through surveys and analyzed to inform and refine the project, contributing to the researcher’s professional portfolio and advancing visual art education.
Curriculum Policy
This essay explores the influence of school culture on curriculum change in Ireland, particularly the impact of evolving societal values, technological advancements, and religious diversity on educational practices. It examines the role of top-down and bottom-up reforms in shaping curriculum, with an emphasis on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and its approach to the Junior Cycle. While acknowledging the positive aspects of the curriculum changes, such as well-being and mental health focus, it critiques the superficial nature of some reforms, like Classroom Based Assessments, which do not fully address the diverse needs of all students. The essay suggests that a deeper, bottom-up reform, driven by teachers and students, would be more beneficial for fostering meaningful educational change.
Reflective Screencast
The reflective screencast focuses on the teacher's assessment of how the lino print project on interior architecture for second-year students unfolded. It reviews the initial project plan and the changes that occurred throughout its implementation, highlighting the adjustments made based on student needs and outcomes. The teacher reflects on how the project helped students develop both their creative and technical skills, and how the integration of interior design principles was achieved. The screencast also considers how the assessment process evolved, with a focus on improving the learning experience and providing meaningful feedback for future projects.