On Friday 23rd March, 2018 the TEAM project held its national conference in Dundalk Institute of Technology. Here, academics and students involved in the project and from a far came to discuss practical assessment in science & health and how technologies can assist.
The conference welcomed keynote speaker Prof. Kay Sambell (Napier University) who gave an excellent presentation to attendees entitled “Assessment for Learning: engaging students in assessment and feedback processes”. A second keynote "The laboratory as a complex learning environment" was presented virtually by the project's external advisor (Dr. Michael Seery; University of Edinburgh) followed. Either side of these keynote presentations was a presentation from the TEAM steering group, an overview of the project's findings by Olya Antropova (TEAM Research Assistant) as well as a workshop for academics in attendance. This facilitated sharing best practice as well as providing a networking opportunity for all involved.
The highlight of the conference, agreed by all present, was the contribution from our TEAM student partners. We were fortunate to have worked with a group of enthusiastic students who took part in a group interview panel discussion chaired by Dr. Ronan Bree on their experiences of TEAM and practical assessment. Another student partner provided a reflection of their personal journey from being involved in TEAM from the beginning. All in all, their contribution was outstanding to the event and demonstrated the power TEAM has had on the student experience of practicals.
Concluding the event was an overview by the President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dr. Michael Mulvey.
Sincere thanks to the National Forum for their continued support with the TEAM project.
