(1133.pdf) USING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF PRISON OFFICER ENGAGEMENT ON A 'BLENDED LEARNING' PROGRAMME IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

摘要

It is increasingly recognised by scholars that the work of the prison officer has become more complex,and that one key task is the balancing of an emphasis on the maintenance of security within the prisonwith the challenge of improving rehabilitation objectives among prisoners. As a consequence, prisonofficers in the Republic of Ireland now undertake a two-year higher certificate programme in custodialcare (HCCC). The programme is a mixture of vocational training and academic theory, and seeks tofoster and develop an increasingly professional prison officer.This paper outlines the structure and content of the HCCC programme. It will explore the experiencesof two tutors who work for the Institute of Technology, Sligo and who are involved in teaching on theHCCC. One tutor teaches on the Equality and Diversity module and the other delivers the CustodialCare Policy and Practice class. Both modules are delivered in year two of the programme.The paper describes the 'blended-learning' approach taken on these modules, with a Moodle VirtualLearning Environment (VLE) supporting face-to-face tutorials. A range of innovative pedagogicalinitiatives are employed, including problem-based and work-based learning, online learning throughdiscussion forums, online tutorials, twitter, experiential learning and role plays. Theoreticalunderpinnings will be provided on the choice of these approaches.The views of students regarding their use of the VLE and on their educational experience will also bedetailed under the broad heading of 'building online learning communities.' Through an analysis of ourresearch findings, the authors will present recommendations for improving future educational deliverypractice to this cohort of students. It is understood that these recommendations will be applicable toother student cohorts involved in similar educational approaches.