Open Courses

Online course: Universal Design Beyond the Classroom (October 2025)
2025-10-06 08:00 - 2025-12-14 17:00 UTC
This course is for colleagues who interact either directly or indirectly with learners beyond the reaches of the classroom setting who wish to utilise the Universal Design for Learning framework to provide an inclusive educational experience. It will provide practical knowledge and tips to empower student support and engagement staff working beyond the classroom in further and higher education and training. This Badge is sibling to the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching & Learning. Not sure which Badge is for you? Complete this quick quiz Which Badge Should I Take? to help your decision.
This 10-week course consists of:

5 self-directed online modules
4 peer group sessions: these meetings allow participants to engage with each other, learn about different contexts, and share ideas.
3 recorded webinars
1 redesign activity: using the Universal Design framework and a +1 approach, participants will redesign an aspect of their work and report on findings from their implementation.

A flexible programme to fit around busy schedules, this course provides an opportunity for sustained reflection, helps make sense of inclusion, enhances participants’ skill sets and is a valuable piece of continuous professional development. This badge will serve to inspire you to universally design your practices, regardless of your role, so that all students and staff can engage with your work.
Course Schedule
The links to join the online webinars and the slides for each can be found on the online course platform.

Week
Date
Time
Topic
Facilitator

Week 1
(w/c 06/10/2025)
06/10/25
13:00 – 14:00
Webinar – Orientation
AHEAD & UCD

Week 1
Anytime
N/A
Module 1 eLearning
N/A

Week 1
TBC
TBC
Welcome Session
Peer Group Facilitator

Week 2
(w/c 13/10/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 2 eLearning
N/A

Week 2
TBC
TBC
1st Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group Facilitator

Week 3
(w/c 20/10/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 3 eLearning
N/A

Week 3
23/10/25
13:00 – 14:00
Webinar – Introducing the Redesign Activity
AHEAD & UCD

Week 4
(w/c 27/10/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 4 eLearning
N/A

Week 4
TBC
TBC
2nd Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group

Week 5
(w/c 03/11/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 5 eLearning
N/A

Week 5
TBC
TBC
3rd Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group

Week 6
(w/c 10/11/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 6 onwards
TBC
TBC
Weekly drop-ins with Peer Group Facilitator – confirm time with them
Peer Group Facilitator

Week 7
(w/c 17/11/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 8
(w/c 24/11/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 9
(w/c 01/12/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 10
(w/c 08/12/2025)
08/12/25
13:00 – 14:00
Webinar 3 – Redesign Submission Questions and Facilitator Badge Information
AHEAD & UCD

Week 10
TBC
TBC
Final Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group Facilitator

Submission Date
12/12/25
23:59
Submission of Redesign activity and Peer Verification Form
N/A

w/c = week commencing
TBC = to be confirmed
N/A = Not applicable
Please note that all three online webinars will be recorded and made available for viewing afterwards.
Learning Outcomes

Explain the current context in relation to Universal Design in tertiary education, reflecting on the diversity of your own student/learner populations;
Explain and demonstrate understanding of the key areas of accessibility legislation which must be adhered to in an educational setting;
Evaluate the diverse needs of learners, identifying how learners’ circumstances can impact their experience;
Reflect on how you can remove barriers to access through Universal Design of student/learner supports and services;
Apply the principles of Universal Design to your own practice.

Learning Activities

Activity
Per week
Ten Weeks

Live Webinar
60 min
3 hours

Peer Group meeting
30-60 min
1.5-3 hours

Independent learning
N/A
7 hours

Redesign Activity
N/A
12 hours

Total
N/A
25 hours

Content

Indicative content
Facilitator/Guest speaker

Introduction to Universal Design
Multiple Means of Engagement
Multiple Means of Representation
Multiple Means of Action & Expression
Mapping the Learner Journey
AHEAD & UCD

Facilitator’s Badge
Dr Lisa Padden, UCD
Purpose: Develop capacity for delivery of Digital Badge by institution staff for institution staff

Registration
For more information, please contact UDBeyond@ahead.ie, or our eLearning and Digital Media Officer Danielle O’Rourke – danielle.orourke@ahead.ie
Click here to register

Online course: Universal Design for Learning (October 2025)
2025-10-06 08:00 - 2025-12-14 17:00
Implementation of universal design principles in Teaching & Learning promotes inclusivity and equity while also ‘futureproofing’ your teaching.
As our classrooms and lecture theatres become increasingly diverse, our practices must also adapt to reflect the changing landscape of higher education. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on research in the learning sciences, including cognitive neuroscience, which guides the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences and cater for the wide range of diversity in our lecture rooms. This CPD course will give you an introduction to the concept of Universal Design for Learning and invite you to review and update your own Teaching and Learning practice.
This Badge is sibling to the Digital Badge for Universal Design Beyond the Classroom. Not sure which Badge is for you? Complete this quick quiz to help your decision.”
Course Schedule
The links to join the online webinars and the slides for each can be found on the online course platform.

Week
Date
Time
Topic
Facilitator

Week 1
(w/c 06/10/2025)
06/10/25
13:00 – 14:00
Webinar – Orientation
AHEAD & UCD

Week 1
Anytime
N/A
Module 1 eLearning
N/A

Week 1
TBC
TBC
Welcome Session
Peer Group Facilitator

Week 2
(w/c 13/10/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 2 eLearning
N/A

Week 2
TBC
TBC
1st Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group Facilitator

Week 3
(w/c 20/10/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 3 eLearning
N/A

Week 3
23/10/25
13:00 – 14:00
Webinar – Introducing the Redesign Activity
AHEAD & UCD

Week 4
(w/c 27/10/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 4 eLearning
N/A

Week 4
TBC
TBC
2nd Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group

Week 5
(w/c 03/11/2025)
Anytime
N/A
Module 5 eLearning
N/A

Week 5
TBC
TBC
3rd Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group

Week 6
(w/c 10/11/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 6 onwards
TBC
TBC
Weekly drop-ins with Peer Group Facilitator – confirm time with them
Peer Group Facilitator

Week 7
(w/c 17/11/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 8
(w/c 24/11/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 9
(w/c 01/12/2025)
Continuing
N/A
Redesign Activity Work Ongoing
N/A

Week 10
(w/c 08/12/2025)
08/12/25
13:00 – 14:00
Webinar 3 – Redesign Submission Questions and Facilitator Badge Information
AHEAD & UCD

Week 10
TBC
TBC
Final Peer Group Meeting
Peer Group Facilitator

Submission Date
12/12/25
23:59
Submission of Redesign activity and Peer Verification Form
N/A

w/c = week commencing
TBC = to be confirmed
N/A = Not applicable
Please note that all three online webinars will be recorded and made available for viewing afterwards.
Learning Outcomes

Reflect on the Diversity of Students in your Institution;
Gain a good understanding of the Universal Design for Learning framework and how it can support diverse learners;
Deepen your understanding of UDL through peer engagement;
Redesign some elements of your teaching and learning practice based on your knowledge of UDL principles;
Consider how you will change your practice more broadly in line with a UDL approach.

Learning Activities

Activity
Per week
Ten Weeks

Live Webinar
60 min
3 hours

Peer Group meeting
30-60 min
1.5-3 hours

Independent learning
N/A
7 hours

Redesign Activity
N/A
12 hours

Total
N/A
25 hours

Content

Indicative content
Facilitator/Guest speaker

Introduction to UDL
Multiple Means of Engagement
Multiple Means of Representation
Multiple Means of Action & Expression
Reflecting on Your Practice
AHEAD & UCD

Facilitator’s Badge
Dr Lisa Padden, UCD
Purpose: Develop capacity for delivery of Digital Badge by institution staff for institution staff

Registration
For more information, please contact UDBeyond@ahead.ie, or our eLearning and Digital Media Officer Danielle O’Rourke – danielle.orourke@ahead.ie
Click here to register

Online course: Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum (October 2025)
2025-10-09 08:00 - 2025-12-11 17:00
The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education are delighted to announce that the fully online Open Course Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum – Open Courses will run from October 2025.
This free 6 week course is available to all staff currently working in tertiary education in the Republic of Ireland, subject to availability of places. Additional facilitator training is included so that you can become a facilitator of this course and run it in your own institution. A further commitment of five learner hours will be required for the facilitator add-on, in addition to attendance at two extra webinars over 2 weeks.
Course Schedule

Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum

Dates
Theme
Description
Facilitator

09/10/25
Introduction
Thursday 13.00-13.30
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) and Dr. John Scahill (ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

16/10/2025
Workshop 1 SDGs at an Institutional Scale
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) and Dr. John Scahill (ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

Guest Speaker: Professor Tasman Crowe (UCD)

23/10/2025
Workshop 2 SDGs Curriculum Mapping
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) and Dr. John Scahill (ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

Guest Speaker: Dr. Cormac McMahon (TU Dublin)

06/11/2025
Workshop 3 Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Alma Clavin (University of Galway) and Dr. Elizabeth Hurley (University of Galway) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

13/11/2025
Workshop 4 Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Alma Clavin (University of Galway) and Dr. Elizabeth Hurley (University of Galway) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

20/11/2025
Workshop 5 Best Practice Examples
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

Guest Speaker: Dr. John Scahill (ATU)

27/11/2025
Workshop 6 Collaboration for Good
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) and Dr. John Scahill (ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

Guest Speaker: Dr. John Barimo (UCC)

03/12/2025
Facilitator’s Badge Part 1 Facilitator Guidance
Thursday 13.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) and Dr. John Scahill (ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

10/12/2025
Facilitator’s Badge Part 2 Facilitator Presentations
Thursday 12.00-14.00
Facilitated by Dr. Mark Kelly (HEA/ATU) and Dr. John Scahill (ATU) with support from Dr. Nataliya Romanyatova (SETU) and David Chernick (ATU).

Learning Objectives

Raise awareness and understanding of the SDGs within an educational context with a view to catalysing action on embedding them more holistically across the curriculum
Create a community of practice amongst higher and further education staff through the digital and facilitator badges, that will lead the curriculum transformation required to equip students with the necessary competences to become change agents for a sustainable future
What are the SDGs and what role does HE and FE play in meeting the listed targets?
How can HE and FE embed the SDGs more holistically across the curriculum?
Programme and module design that embrace the SDGs citing international best practice examples.
Best practice examples of teaching, learning and assessment.

The main learning outcomes include:

Demonstrate an ability to critically explore the SDGs and how they may apply across all disciplines.
Critically evaluate and analyse SDG teaching, learning and assessment approaches within the context of different disciplines.
Explore opportunities to utilize inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to embedding the SDGs across the curriculum.

Learning Activities
The learning activities will be a mixture of online weekly workshops, peer triads, and independent learning.

Activity
Hours per week
Six Weeks

Weekly Pre-Workshop Activities
3 hours
18 hours

Weekly Online Workshop 1 hour
1 hour
6 hours

Reflection
1 hour
1 hour

Total

25 hours

Content

Indicative content
Facilitator/Guest speaker

SDGs in Higher Education
Dr. Mark Kelly

Mapping the SDGs across the Curriculum
Dr. Mark Kelly

Integrating the SDGs into the Curriculum
Dr. Mark Kelly

Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum
Dr. Mark Kelly

Exploring Critiques of the SDGs
Dr. Mark Kelly

Registration

Registrations are now closed.
For more information, please contact Dr Mark Kelly Mark.Kelly@atu.ie (Course Facilitator).
