The Educational Development Unit (EDU) in collaboration with Learning Innovation Network (SIF cycle 1 fund) hosted a one day seminar on advanced thinking and learning skills. The session was fully booked with 25 IT Sligo staff participating in the event.
IT, Sligo staff busily engaged in advanced thinking and learning
Key themes of the day included:
- The brain, thinking and learning: how it works and how knowing this can inform how people think, learn and work more effectively.
- How to Mind Map – what is it and how to use this versatile tool to manage information, make notes and improve thinking and planning
- Speed reading – how the eye and brain work together and how to dramatically improve reading speed, comprehension and information retention. Use of The ‘Intelligent Strategy for Effective Acquisition of Knowledge System’ ( INSEAK®)
- Memory principles and rhythms – principles of effective memory, how people remember (and forget!) during and after learning and how to remember anything you need to.
- Learning to learn: how we learn new skills and how to make that easier.
IT, Sligo’s Heather James and Brian Mulligan demonstrating how to keep balls in the air…
Twofold purpose
The seminar had a twofold purpose- a’ train the trainer’s’ emphasis to train staff to use these techniques themselves, but also empower students to develop these techniques as an integral approach to learning.
Participants reported dual benefits from the day – personal benefits in planning and delivering content, bu als for assessing learning and its outcomes.
Follow up sessions were requested and handouts from the day will be available shortly on the Educational Development Unit (EDU) website.
The Institute would like to extend a special thanks to the Learning Innovation Network for funding the seminar.
L-R: Dr. Attracta Brennan (Learning Innovation Network), Hayley Kennedy ( Illumine Training), Dr. Etain Kiely, (IT, Sligo EDU, Stephanie Donnegan (Quality Manager IT,Sligo), Chris Lewis ( Illumine Training) and Dr. Brendan McCormack, Registrar, IT, Sligo.
For further information on the work of the EDU at IT, Sligo, contact:
Dr. Etain Kiely
Phone: 0719155411
Email: kiely.etain@nullitsligo.ie