Biography
Tracey is a College Lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Master in Education (PME) Co-Ordinator of School Placement. On the PME programme Tracey teaches the History and Structure of Irish Education and team teaches School Placement Support. Tracey is a Lead Tutor for PME School Placement and is research supervisor to a number of Ph.D and M.Ed. students. Tracey co-ordinates and teaches the module Educational Disadvantage and Multiculturalism as part of the Masters in Guidance and Counselling programme.
Prior to her appointment as College Lecturer, Tracey was Research Fellow at the School of Education and project manager of Bridging the Gap which was a major research project on educational disadvantage. In that role, Tracey was team leader for curriculum development programmes undertaken by teaching teams within primary and post primary schools and was involved in providing professional development at a local and national level.
Tracey’s developing research profile consists of peer reviewed publications in the area of education and history, she has presented at national and international conferences and she has been involved in organising conferences. Tracey has been successful at generating external research funding and was recently engaged in a collaborative research project looking at assessment in teaching practice.
Tracey’s teaching experience spans from teaching at post primary level following the completion of her Higher Diploma in Education to University Tutor with the Department of History, UCC while undertaking her Ph.D. to her post as College Lecturer. For the Harvard Graduate School of Education Tracey has taught online and provided pedagogy support to international groups of teachers. Tracey was amongst the first cohort of academics in UCC to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning at Higher Level Education and in 2005 she won a President’s Award for Research on Innovative Forms of Teaching. Earlier in her career she was awarded scholarships to carry out research for her my M.A. and Ph.D. and achieved a research grant from the Higher Education Authority to further her Ph.D. research.
Tracey has participated and contributed to the university by being a team member of Ionad Bairre The Centre for Teaching and Learning at UCC and has served on numerous committees. In the past Tracey has participated in teaching and examining on outreach programmes run through the Centre for Adult and Continuing Education, UCC. Tracey is an external examiner for a initial teacher education college in Ireland and is a Board of Management Member of a local primary school. With regard to teacher registration, Tracey is an assessor for the teaching of history with the Teaching Council of Ireland to regulate standards for the teaching of history and to protect standards of entry to the teaching profession.
Research Interests
Tracey's research interests to date fall into the areas of curriculum development, teacher education and history. Tracey's research interest in curriculum development has been influenced by her research work in partnership with schools in taking a holistic approach to educational inclusion through curriculum development. Influenced by this work, Tracey has published on educational inclusion and research methods. In the area of teacher education Tracey is particularly interested in how we teach for preparation for the teaching profession as emphasised in a 2005 OECD report entitled Teachers Matter which stresses ‘initial teacher education must not only provide sound basic training in subject matter knowledge, pedagogy related to subjects and general pedagogical knowledge, it also needs to develop the skills for reflective practice and research on the job.’
The areas that Tracey has published include curriculum development, teacher education and educational disadvantage, qualitative research methods in education, Multiple Intelligences and application in the classroom, management in education, Irish demographical history and emigration. From 2001 to 2010 Tracey was team leader for curriculum development research projects undertaken by teaching teams within schools, she presented the research and findings at national and international conferences, and she published widely in the area of educational inclusion (all peer-reviewed). Tracey presented the research to policy makers at a national level and this work was cited as an innovative model for inclusive education by the HEA (2006) Towards the Best Education for All.
Recently Tracey was research lead on a SCoTENs funded project called Assessment in Teacher Education North and South which aimed to explore the nature and conduct of school-based work assessments within a sample of Primary and Post-Primary Initial Teacher Education degree and postgraduate courses drawn from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The research investigated the links between various school-based work assessment techniques and subsequent planning, teaching and learning at degree and post-graduate certificate and diploma levels. The research aimed to situate and critically discuss the findings with reference to current thinking, including formative assessment.
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment in Teacher Education North and South (ATENS) | Miscellaneous | 01-MAR-11 | 30-OCT-12 | €5,682.00 |
Publications
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2009) | 'Harnessing Curriculum Development and Research for Inclusive Education' Connolly, Tracey (2009) 'Harnessing Curriculum Development and Research for Inclusive Education' In: The Role of Theory and Research in Educational Practice. North Dakota: University of North Dakota. [Details] | |
| (2007) | 'Approaches to Achieving a Holistic Education within the Context of Educational Disadvantage’' Connolly, Tracey (2007) 'Approaches to Achieving a Holistic Education within the Context of Educational Disadvantage’' In: Beyond Educational Disadvantage. Dublin: IPA. [Details] | |
| (2007) | 'Learning outcomes in the teaching of history' Connolly, Tracey (2007) 'Learning outcomes in the teaching of history' In: Writing and using learning outcomes: a practical guide. Cork: UCC. [Details] | |
| (2007) | 'Assessing educational projects' Connolly, Tracey (2007) 'Assessing educational projects' In: New Paradigms and Methods in Educational and Social Research. Warsaw: WOM Publishers. [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'The quest to improve practice in educational provision: stategies of qualitative educational research' Connolly, Tracey; (2006) 'The quest to improve practice in educational provision: stategies of qualitative educational research' In: Measurement and assessment in educational and social research. Warsaw: WOM Publishers. [Details] | |
| (2005) | 'Action research: the voyage of discovery through new eyes' Connolly, Tracey (2005) 'Action research: the voyage of discovery through new eyes' In: Theory, facts and interpretation in educational and social research. Warsaw: WOM Publishers. [Details] | |
| (2004) | 'Bridging the Gap between University College Cork and schools in Cork city' Connolly, Tracey; (2004) 'Bridging the Gap between University College Cork and schools in Cork city' In: University College Cork as a learning organisation. Cork: UCC. [Details] | |
| (2004) | 'The Commission on Emigration, 1948-1954' Keogh, Dermot; O’Shea, Finbarr and Quinlan, Carmel (eds.) (2004) 'The Commission on Emigration, 1948-1954' In: The Lost Decade: Ireland in the 1950s. Cork: Mercier Press. [Details] | |
| (2004) | 'Irish Emigration to Canada in the 1950s' Messamore, Barbara (ed.) (2004) 'Irish Emigration to Canada in the 1950s' In: Canadian Migration Patterns. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press. [Details] | |
| (2001) | 'The Irish in Twentieth Century Australian Society' Jupp, James (ed.) (2001) 'The Irish in Twentieth Century Australian Society' In: The Australian People: An Encyclopedia of the Nation, its People and their Origins. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Details] | |
| (2000) | 'Emigration from Ireland to Britain During the Second World War' Bielenberg, Andy (ed.) (2000) 'Emigration from Ireland to Britain During the Second World War' In: The Irish Diaspora London: Longman. London: Longman. [Details] | |
| (2000) | 'Irish Workers in Britain During World War Two' Girvin, Brian and Roberts, Geoffrey (eds.) (2000) 'Irish Workers in Britain During World War Two' In: Ireland and the Second World War: Politics, Society and Remembrance. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2011) | 'Enhancing Educational Inclusion in Primary School Education: a case for Curriculum Development?' Connolly, Tracey (2011) 'Enhancing Educational Inclusion in Primary School Education: a case for Curriculum Development?'. The OMEP Ireland Journal of Early Childhood Studies, [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'The Missing Link? Early Childhood in Ireland and Educational Disadvantage' Connolly, Tracey (2006) 'The Missing Link? Early Childhood in Ireland and Educational Disadvantage'. The OMEP Ireland Journal of Early Childhood Studies, [Details] | |
| (2005) | 'The Impact of Educational Disadvantage on Adult Citizenship and Participation in Ireland’' Tracey Connolly (2005) 'The Impact of Educational Disadvantage on Adult Citizenship and Participation in Ireland’'. The Adult Learner: Journal of Adult Community Education, [Details] | |
| (2004) | 'Bridging the Gap Project Assisting in Learning Support' Tracey Connolly (2004) 'Bridging the Gap Project Assisting in Learning Support'. Learn (Journal of The Irish Learning Support Association), [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'Emigration from Post Independence Ireland to Australia, 1922-1970' de Paor, Louis; O’Connor, Maura; and Reece, Bob (Eds.) (2002) 'Emigration from Post Independence Ireland to Australia, 1922-1970'. The Australasian Journal of Irish Studies, [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'An Exploration of Formative Assessment Practices on Children’s Academic Efficacy' Connolly, T and Constant, C (2014) 'An Exploration of Formative Assessment Practices on Children’s Academic Efficacy'. The Irish Teachers’ Journal, [Details] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2006) | 'Multiple Intelligence and its Significance when Teaching for Understanding' Litvinova, Nina (ed.) (2006) 'Multiple Intelligence and its Significance when Teaching for Understanding' Journal of the Institute of the Humanitarian Education in St. Petersburg, . [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2013) | Assessment in Teacher Education North and South - A SCOTENS funded research project. Dr Tracey Connolly, Dr Geraldine Magennis and Dr Alicia Curtin (2013) Assessment in Teacher Education North and South - A SCOTENS funded research project. SCOTENS, Ireland. [Details] |
Conference Paper
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2013) | Assessment in Teacher Education in G.T. Papanikos (Ed.) Annual International Conference on Education. Magennis, G and Connolly, T (2013) Assessment in Teacher Education in G.T. Papanikos (Ed.) Annual International Conference on Education. Conference Paper [Details] |
DVD
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2012) | Inclusive Literacies. Kathy Hall, Alicia Curtin, Karl Kitching, Tracey Connolly, Caitriona Ni Laoire, Brian Murphy (2012) Inclusive Literacies. DVD [Details] | |
| (2011) | Listening to Learners in mathematics classrooms: What can we learn?. Kathy Hall, Alicia Curtin, Karl Kitching, Tracey Connolly, Caitriona Ni Laoire (2011) Listening to Learners in mathematics classrooms: What can we learn?. DVD [Details] | |
| (2011) | Inclusion: From Evidence to Practice. Kathy Hall, Alicia Curtin, Karl Kitching, Tracey Connolly, Caitriona Ni Laoire, Denis Burns. Dan O Sullivan (2011) Inclusion: From Evidence to Practice. DVD [Details] | |
| (2012) | Arts, Science and Education for All. Kathy Hall, Alicia Curtin, Karl Kitching, Tracey Connolly, Caitriona Ni Laoire, Siobhan Dowling, Fiona Chambers (2012) Arts, Science and Education for All. DVD [Details] |
Electronic Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | Exploring Inclusive Education: Insights from Ireland in International Journal of Education and Research. Connolly, T (2014) Exploring Inclusive Education: Insights from Ireland in International Journal of Education and Research. Electronic Journals [Details] | |
| (2013) | Assessment in Teacher Education in Ireland in ATINER Paper Series. Magennis, G and Connolly, T (2013) Assessment in Teacher Education in Ireland in ATINER Paper Series. Electronic Journals [Details] |
Journal Volume Edited
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | Initial Teacher Education Assessment Practices. Magennis, G and Connolly, T (2014) Initial Teacher Education Assessment Practices. Journal Volume Edited [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | President’s Award for Research on Innovative Forms of Teaching | UCC |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | British Educational Research Association, Connolly, Tracey, Conway, Paul, Rutherford, Vanessa and Murphy, Rosaleen (2014) Fostering School University Partnership for Initial Teacher Education through Generative Pratices. [Oral Presentation], British Educational Research Association, London, United Kingdom . [Details] | |
| (2014) | OMEP World Conference, Connolly, Tracey (2014) Addressing Educational Disadvantage through Initial Teacher Education. [Oral Presentation], OMEP World Conference, University College Cork . [Details] | |
| (2014) | Critical Debates in Teacher Education Conference, Connolly, Tracey (2014) Critically Analysing School University Partnership. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Critical Debates in Teacher Education Conference, University of Limerick . [Details] | |
| (2013) | International Academic Conference, Prague, Connolly, Tracey (2013) Assessment in Initial Teacher Education. [Oral Presentation], International Academic Conference, Prague, Prague, Czech Republic . [Details] | |
| (2013) | European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies Conference, Connolly, Tracey (2013) Public Opinion and the 1916 Rising. [Oral Presentation], European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies Conference, NUIG Galway . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Reform and Re-design of Initial Teacher Education: Deepening Engagement with Pedagogy Conference, Connolly, Tracey (2013) LET’S build together: some insights on School-University Partnership from the Learning to Teach Study. [Oral Presentation], Reform and Re-design of Initial Teacher Education: Deepening Engagement with Pedagogy Conference, University College Cork . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Reform and Re-design of Initial Teacher Education: Deepening Engagement with Pedagogy Conference, Connolly, T and Magennis, G (2013) Assessment in Initial Teacher Education Lessons from North and South. [Poster Presentation], Reform and Re-design of Initial Teacher Education: Deepening Engagement with Pedagogy Conference, University College Cork . [Details] | |
| (2013) | 15th Annual International Conference on Education, Magennis, G and Connolly, T (2013) Assessment in Initial Teacher Education. [Oral Presentation], 15th Annual International Conference on Education, Athens, Greece . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Educational Studies of Ireland, Connolly, Tracey (2013) The Future of Teacher Education. [Oral Presentation], Educational Studies of Ireland, Limerick . [Details] |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CACSSS Teaching and Learning Working Group: Employability and Placement | Committee Member | / |
Education
| Year | Instituion | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | UCC | Diploma in Community & Youth Work | Social Sciences | |
| 2005 | UCC | Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Ed. | Education | |
| 2006 | UCC | Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | Education | |
| 1992 | UCC | B.A. | History and English | |
| 1995 | UCC | M.A. | History | |
| 2005 | UCC | M.Ed. | Education | |
| 1999 | UCC | Ph.D. (NUI) | History |
Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Functional | Functional | Functional |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
Member of Board of Management of a Cork City Primary School |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
Tracey’s aim in teaching is to develop a culture of thinking which complements a learner centred approach. Tracey actively undertakes research for her teaching and has developed multimedia, audio and visual teaching aids. Informed by research, Tracey has developed written materials for students and she applies innovation forms of teaching in her practice. In 2005 Tracey won the President’s Award for Research on Innovative Forms of Teaching for her research ‘Learning through evidence’ which aimed to enhance a more student centred approach.
Tracey’s teaching spans from undergraduate and postgraduate levels to Ph.D. supervision. Currently Tracey teaches on the following modules:
Professional Master in Education:
ED6330 Direct Teaching
ED6330 School Placement Support
ED6301 History and Structure of Irish Education
M.Ed.
ED6035 Dissertation Supervision
M.A. Guidance and Counselling
ED6213 Educational Disadvantage and Multiculturalism: Learning and Identity
ED6212 Portfolio Project
B.Ed. Sports Studies:
ED4312 History and Structure of Irish Education
Recent Postgraduates
| Graduation Year | Student Name | Institution | Degree Type | Thesis Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sandra Rellis | University College Cork | M.Ed. | Developing Senior Infant Pupil’s Sight word Attainment and Reading Abilities: An Analysis of a Structured Graded-Reading Programme and the Practice of Paired-Reading in Senior Infants | |
| 2011 | Maria Tobin | University College Cork | M.Ed. | ||
| 2011 | Denis Whooley | University College Cork | M.Ed. | ||
| 2013 | Pól Ó Síodhcháin | University College Cork | M.Ed. | Leaving Certificate Students’ Perspectives on Their Own Learning: A Case Study of the Student Voice on Learning and Learning Styles in a Rural Secondary School | |
| 2011 | Adele Cunninham | UCC | M.Ed. | ||
| 2013 | Carol Constant | University College Cork (NUI) | M.Ed. | A critical investigation of the impact of explicit formative assessment practice on students' academic efficiacy and eagerness to learn. | |
| 2013 | Tracy Mehigan | University College Cork (NUI) | Ph.D. | Mobile Computing for eLearning | |
| 2012 | James O Malley | University College Cork (NUI) | Ph.D. | Lay Secondary Schools in Ireland 1922-1975 | |
| 2012 | Susan Rose | University College Cork | M.Ed. | Developing Best Practice in Inclusive Education; Opportunities and Challenges for the Infant Teacher |
Current Postgraduate Students
| Student | Degree Type | Primary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| O Flynn Sinead Mary | Doctoral Degree | Yes |
Modules Taught
| Term (ID)) | Title | Link | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Philosophy and History of Education | ED6301 | Philosophy and History of Education | |
| 2015 | Portfolio Project | ED6212 | Portfolio Project | |
| 2015 | Philosophy and History of Education | ED4311 | Philosophy and History of Education | |
| 2015 | Foundations Seminar | ED6342 | Foundations Seminar | |
| 2015 | Educational Disadvantage and Multiculturalism: Learning and Identity | ED6213 | Educational Disadvantage and Multiculturalism: Learning and Identity | |
| 2015 | Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education | ED4104 | Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education |
Research Information
External Collaborators
| Name | Institute | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magennis, Geraldine | Senior Lecturer | NORTHERN IRELAND |
Contact details
- Tracey Connolly
Lecturer - T.Connolly@ucc.ie
- Education
University College Cork
Cork
Ireland - +353-21-490-3000