We report on an intervention in which informal programming labs were switched to a weekly machine-evaluated test for a second year Data Structures and Algorithms module. Using the online HackerRank system, we investigated whether greater constructive alignment between course content and the exam would result in lower failure rates. After…

This study measured the levels of academic self-efficacy of first-year accounting students. It also investigated whether there were any gender differences and the extent to which efficacy levels explained variation in academic performance. Overall the analysis revealed that many students lacked the confidence to participate fully in the academic…

This article reports on Phase 1 of a pilot programme on self-management of behaviour with challenging class groups of students as part of the evidence-informed practice of the National Behaviour Support Service. The Alert Program is a structured active learning programme using an engine analogy. The person's engine runs on high, low or just right…

This paper describes research undertaken for the design of an Online Learning (OL) Module using a Problem-based Learning (PBL) approach in an in-service teacher training course, namely, a Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning and Teaching. This qualification is offered to lecturers from a range of higher education institutions in the…

The newly constituted further education sector in Ireland was developed by the National Council for Vocational Awards. The mathematics for this sector was introduced as Mathematical Methods Level 2 on a pilot basis. The standard module's level proved to be too high, based on high failure rates. A review of the mathematics provision initiated these…