University College Dublin

ubuntu partnership

Virtuous Cycles in GCE in ITE

University College Dublin, School of Education

PARTNERSHIP TEAM

Senior Management:

  • Professor Judith Harford
  • Dr Declan Fahie
  • Karen Maye
  • Dr Eileen Bowman

Partnership Lead: Dr Rachel Farrell

Research: Marelle Rice & Thomas Gleeson

OBJECTIVE OF THE PARTNERSHIP:

The School of Education at UCD offers three teacher education programmes, including the largest two-year full-time professional master of education programme, the PME, with 260 students and 10 full-time faculty. The collaborative approach to developing teacher education programmes in UCD creates opportunities for interdisciplinary GCE initiatives across the campus, with programme directors working with various UCD faculty, placement schools, government departments, and industry partners.

Through its Rising to the Future Strategy 2020-2024, UCD is committed to empowering all members of the community to achieve their full potential by embracing the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and harnessing the potential of Technology Enhanced Learning and Global Citizenship Education. The School of Education is central to a number of university-wide missions relating to the Sustainable Development Goals and interdisciplinary GCE initiatives across the campus. This demonstrates a good track record in the area of GCE outreach and a strong appetite to engage in a partnership with the Ubuntu Network to create student teachers who are agents of change for sustainable living.

The objective of the partnership with UCD School of Education and the Ubuntu network is to create a GCE coordinator role to holistically embed existing good practice and deepen the knowledge, understanding, skills, and values of GCE across all foundational, professional, and subject disciplines in all teacher education programmes.

A GCE coordinator will support an integrated curricular approach to GCE in line with the Teaching Council Céim Standards for Initial Teacher Education. A dedicated GCE role will enable GCE to permeate all aspects of the School of Education, whole-school dialogue, research activities, and engagement with the community and other stakeholders through existing and emerging outreach projects, in line with the School and University strategic plans.

A team comprising the Deputy Head of School, 4 core education staff (including the GCE Teaching Fellow) and 4 subject pedagogues will be put in place to act as a steering committee for the effective implementation of the project.

Key Features of the Partnership:

Benefits to the School of Education: Partnering with the Ubuntu Network and embracing an integrated curriculum approach has elevated the institution’s leadership in Global Citizenship Education (GCE), spanning research, teaching, and practice. This alignment with university-wide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and interdisciplinary initiatives has fostered a culture of sustainability and social responsibility campus-wide, while also fostering diverse collaboration opportunities.
Benefits to teacher educators: Educators gain from Ubuntu Network’s tailored support for integrating Global Citizenship Education (GCE) into teaching, alongside opportunities for holistic engagement in school-wide dialogues and research. Professional development and networking enhance a community of GCE-focused educators.
Benefits to pre-service teachers: Pre-service teachers gain exposure to a wide array of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) principles, theories, and practices through collaborative efforts between the School of Education and the Ubuntu Network. They develop essential GCE-related knowledge, skills, and values for future teaching careers, empowered as agents of change. Additionally, mentorship, support, and learning opportunities from Ubuntu Network partners enrich their understanding of GCE and its real-world applications.
Benefits to post-primary schools: Students access enhanced GCE learning through knowledgeable teachers and collaborative efforts between the School of Education and the Ubuntu Network. Engaging with GCE-focused NGOs, government agencies, and external partners provides additional resources and support for GCE-related programs and activities, enriching the learning environment further.
Benefits to other educational stakeholders: Other educational stakeholders benefit from the partnership between the School of Education and the Ubuntu Network by accessing GCE-related research, best practices, and resources. Collaboration on GCE initiatives fosters a strong network committed to promoting GCE in education. Increased awareness of GCE principles contributes to a more holistic approach to education sector-wide.
Benefits to the GCE sector as a whole: The School of Education’s collaboration with the Ubuntu Network strengthens GCE’s recognition and value across education levels. Enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing among educators and organizations drive innovation in GCE initiatives. This commitment fosters the development and implementation of GCE programs, promoting a more equitable, sustainable, and just world.