Ciaran Comerford

Can you tell us your name, job title and the course you studied at ATU? 

Name: Ciaran Comerford

Job Title: Assistant Instructional Designer at Atlantic Technological University Sligo

Course: Post Graduate Certificate in Universal Design for Learning (ATU) Sligo 

Can you share your career path to date?

I have had a few careers but all of them have involved technology. I was employed for 10 years in technical support in various companies such as America Online (AOL), Sunlife Financial, and PFH Technology Group. I then progressed into adult education teaching Microsoft Office and ECDL for Solas, Youthreach, and in Community Training centres. For 7 years I worked in Cenit College on behalf of eCollege (Solas Online Learning Portal) as an eTutor and Course Designer on Microsoft Office Specialist and ECDL courses. For the last 2 and a half years I have worked at Dublin Business School (DBS) and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo. This entailed developing online courses in Fintech, Data Analytics, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and German language learning.

What does your current role involve?

I take scripts from the subject matter expert and turn them into online courses uploaded onto the learning management systems (LMS) that students use such as Moodle or Blackboard. This involves editing videos using Camtasia and uploading them onto YouTube. Creating highly innovative and engaging resources using Rise, H5P, and Padlet to create interactive videos, multiple-choice quizzes, Padlets, Word Clouds, and crosswords. It’s also important to keep an eye on accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by incorporating Glossaries, Checklists, Alternative Text, Transcripts, Subtitles, and Colour Contrast into all courses.

What motivated you to start studying? 

I am a lifelong learner and have a passion for studying. I had previously completed the Ahead UDL Badge and was keen to continue this progression therefore I chose the Post Grad Certificate in UDL in ATU Sligo. 
 

Why did you choose this course from ATU?

I have a huge interest in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) having previously completed the Ahead Digital Badge for UDL course. And wanted to progress this further by doing the Post Grad. The course lecturer Maureen Harran was my facilitator on the Digital Badge course (I was aware of the great work she did on UDL in ATU Sligo) and was keen to have her as a lecturer. Also the fact that it was online and in the evening time appealed as it wasn’t necessary to attend lectures on campus.

How did you find the process of studying online? What elements did you find helpful? Were there elements you found challenging? 

As mentioned in the next question I am well-used to studying online. Moodle is very straightforward to use. Fortunately, I didn’t find any elements challenging.

How did you balance work and study?

I am a lifelong learner having completed Masters and Diploma courses. As well as professional certificates regularly over the last twenty years. Fortunately, my wife is very supportive helping with household tasks and the children. The best way I found of managing the modules was to do all the Padlets on time. This then allowed me to keep up to date with project work. 

In terms of your employer, were they supportive of your decision to study? Were there elements of the course that were particularly relevant to your current employer? 

My manager and senior instructional designer at ATU were very supportive of my decision to study. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is extremely relevant to my work. 

What advice would you have for anyone considering studying online?

Just to go ahead and do it. You won’t regret it. The lecturers are recorded so if you are busy with work or family life you can watch them at a time that suits. You will get to meet some amazing classmates. The Post Grad in UDL class were so supportive and encouraging.

In what way has studying online with ATU benefitted your career?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has started to gain more importance and therefore is an added skillset in the repertoire of an Instructional Designer. It’s very beneficial to have a qualification in this.

Learn more about the Postgraduate Certificate in Universal Design Learning here