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The Gateway to Success Project

The Gateway to Success project is designed to make student support at DkIT more flexible and accessible so that more students have greater access to support when they need it.

About the Gateway to Success Project

Student support is at the heart of student success. At DkIT we pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment to enable our students to achieve their potential. We provide a wide range of support services designed to heighten their experiences of college and support them throughout their academic journey and growth as individuals.

The aim of the Gateway to Success project is to develop more flexible and accessible ways for students to use these services through the creation of a virtual ‘hub’. This brings together the full range of services into one online space, using Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environment. It will increase access to support resources outside of office hours and for students when off-campus.

Download the Information Leaflet

Education Awards 2022

Shortlisted for 2022 Education Award

This project was shortlisted for a 2022 Education Award in the 'Best use of educational technology/ICT initiative category'. View Award Certificate

Why are we creating a Support Services Hub?

The Hub will harness technology to offer complimentary paths to accessing services. It will not replace face-to-face services but will provide additional flexibility and opportunities for students to engage with services in ways that best meets their needs. It will enable students to access information about services on-the-go, book appointments online, view upcoming events and seminars and enhance communication about the role and availability of services.

This will build awareness amongst students and staff about the variety of supports available and assist all staff in meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse student body.

Guiding Principles

1) Relationships

Enabling the building and or maintenance of supportive relationships between students and staff.

2) Engagement

Offering complimentary ways for students to engage with services, particularly for those who may not be on campus on a full-time basis.

3) Accessibility

Design and content based upon Universal Design Principles to maximise usability by all students in a variety of situations and with consideration of differing needs. 

Who is involved?

The project is a collaboration between the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Student Services, IT Services, the De Chastelain Library, the Department of Computing Science and Mathematics and the Students’ Union. The project was developed by all named partners, and staff from across these areas actively contribute to it. The project lead is Moira Maguire.

The Project Co-ordinator is Susan Crosse who is based within the Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching (CELT). If you have any initial queries about the Project, please contact her by email susan.crosse@dkit.ie and she will be happy to help with any questions you have.

Gateway to Success Steering Group 

The Gateway to Success project is directed by a Steering Group, which is chaired by Lisa O'Regan, Maynooth University. View the members of the steering group for the Gateway to Success Project.

View Steering Group Members

What's happened so far?

The Gateway to Success Project has three work packages:

 

Work Package 1: Needs Analysis | Work Package 2: Information Technology | Work Package 3: Virtual Support Services

Work Package 1: Needs Analysis

The first work package began in February 2019 and is now complete. It focused on conducting a Needs Analysis with representatives from the student body and staff members across all four Schools and with members of staff directly involved in the provision of support services. 

The Needs Analysis explored views about student support services to establish the extent to which current provision effectively met the needs of students particularly in terms of flexibility and accessibility. It identified existing barriers to accessing student support services and attitudes to accessing online support. 

The key findings and recommendations from the Needs Analysis frame how online support services can be best delivered and is being used to inform the work of Work Packages 2 and 3. This work package is now complete, and the Report is currently being prepared for publication. It will be made available shortly.


 

Work Package 2: Information Technology

This work package began in October 2019 and remains ongoing. It is led by the IT Working Group, comprised of Michael Denihan and Gerry Gallagher. Guided by the findings from the Needs Analysis and working closely with all support services, this work package is concerned with overseeing the design and development of the virtual Hub.

The virtual Student Support Hub was successfully launched on the 25th of January 2021. Twelve support services are represented on the Hub providing a wide range of resources and information about the supports that are available to students. Students can now contact the services via the Hub and book online appointments.

This work Package has four stages

  • Stage 1: Development (This stage is now complete)
  • Stage 2: Design & Build (This stage is now complete)
  • Stage 3: Data Analytics (This stage is ongoing)
  • Stage 4: Training (This stage is now complete)

For further information, please download the Work Package 2 Project Information Leaflet.

Download Work Package 2 Document


 

Work Package 3: Virtual Support Services

This work package also began in October 2019 and remains ongoing. It is led by the Support Services Working Group, comprised of Ann Cleary, Dr. Fiona Lawless, Moira Maguire, Linda Murphy and Jamie Ward. Guided by the findings from the Needs Analysis and working closely with all support services staff, this work package is concerned with overseeing the content of the virtual Hub.

Each support service developed their vision and reviewed and created content and resources for the Hub. Training was provided to the services to equip them with the skills and knowledge required for adding content and maintaining the Hub. Each support service has successfully developed and uploaded their content and the Hub is now live and available to all students and staff. Training resources and guides have been compiled and added online to support staff in managing their Hub pages.

 

This work Package has four stages:

    • Stage 1: Vision (This stage is now complete)
    • Stage 2: Hub Resources (This stage is now complete)
    • Stage 3: Training (This stage is now complete)
    • Stage 4: Evaluation (This stage is ongoing)

For further information, please download the Work Package 3 Project Information Leaflet.

Download Work Package 3 Document

       The Gateway to Success Project is funded by the Higher Education Authority

Want to know more?

  • Susan Crosse
  • Project Manager