The Digital Champions role involves mentoring colleagues in academic departments on developing blended and online learning and teaching experiences.
Digital Champions undertake a training programme with the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Teaching and Learning Office, covering the online iNOTE Academic Pathway and a range of workshops on digital education resources to support them in their mentoring role.
The iNOTE Digital Champion training and development programme is co-ordinated by Annette Cosgrove, Orla Skehill and Dr Carina Ginty (ATU Galway-Mayo). The Digital Champions in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) have an opportunity to gain a special level 9 Certificate in Digital Teaching and Learning (10 ECTS). This award is also an elective on the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the course is aligned with National Forum Professional Development Framework (Domain Five, Digital Skills).
There are also plans to create a team of Professional Services Digital Champions (details launching in Autumn 2020 on DigitalEd.ie).
The ATU Teaching & Learning Office hosted a special online event, ATU Galway-Mayo Digital Champions Insight Symposium Part 1 and Part 2, showcasing examples of work from the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Digital Champions in 2020, which included a selection of new online courses and resources developed by the Digital Champions following their engagement with the new level 9, Certificate in Digital Teaching and Learning at ATU Galway-Mayo (under the iNOTE – DigitalEd Project).