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

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 prison with the challenge of improving rehabilitation objectives among prisoners. As a consequence, prison officers in the Republic of Ireland now undertake a two-year higher certificate programme in custodial care (HCCC). The programme is a mixture of vocational training and academic theory, and seeks to foster and develop an increasingly professional prison officer. This paper outlines the structure and content of the HCCC programme. It will explore the experiences of two tutors who work for the Institute of Technology, Sligo and who are involved in teaching on the HCCC. One tutor teaches on the Equality and Diversity module and the other delivers the Custodial Care 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 Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) supporting face-to-face tutorials. A range of innovative pedagogical initiatives are employed, including problem-based and work-based learning, online learning through discussion forums, online tutorials, twitter, experiential learning and role plays. Theoretical underpinnings 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 be detailed under the broad heading of 'building online learning communities.' Through an analysis of our research findings, the authors will present recommendations for improving future educational delivery practice to this cohort of students. It is understood that these recommendations will be applicable to other student cohorts involved in similar educational approaches.