Representatives of An Cosán are currently at the historic campus of the University of Tartu, Estonia to play a pivotal role in shaping a groundbreaking Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) tool. As part of the Erasmus+ project STARS (STARS: Self-Regulated Learning Tool for Academic Success) transnational partnership, An Cosán’s Adelaide NicChartaigh, Avril Hannifin and Laura O’Brien are participating in a crucial meeting focused on ensuring this resource truly meets the needs of learners across Europe, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In collaboration with South East Technological University (SETU), Tartu University (Estonia), and LUT University (Finland), the core mission of this ambitious project is to empower students by equipping them with essential SRL skills – encompassing planning, management, monitoring, reflection, and emotional regulation. By fostering these abilities, the initiative aims to cultivate learners’ professional, academic, intellectual, and creative growth, with a strong emphasis on providing equitable access for disadvantaged individuals.
An Cosán’s approach is uniquely driven by a participatory design process. Recognising that the most effective tools are those shaped by the experiences of their users, we have actively involved its learners in focus groups to canvas their thoughts and opinions. We are committed to ensuring these voices are not only heard but are integral to the tool’s design. Adelaide, Avril and Laura will act as advocates, ensuring that the lived experiences of our learners are reflected in every aspect of the developing resource.
This commitment matters deeply. Fostering SRL skills empowers learners to navigate not just their academic journeys but also their personal and professional lives with greater confidence and autonomy. The tool’s recognition that learners may require support with planning, emotional regulation (crucial for those who have experienced trauma or neurodiversity), and bridging gaps in academic backgrounds underscores its potential to make higher education truly accessible and enhance educational inclusion across Europe.
For An Cosán, this initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic goals of strengthening core services and driving systemic change. The trip to Estonia represents a valuable professional development opportunity for the team, fostering research and collaboration within a vibrant transnational community of practice. Ultimately, this collaborative effort, with An Cosán championing the voices of its learners, promises to deliver a freely accessible SRL tool that will potentially benefit thousands of learners and educators across Europe, fostering more effective and independent learning.
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