Conor Mc Guckin

Trinity College Dublin | TCD · School of Education

This research evaluated the effectiveness of peer-mediated Lego® play for reducing anxiety for children aged 4 to 6 years, including children with learning disabilities. Specifically, the research sought to identify the risk factors of anxiety disorders, and to explore how peer-mediated approaches using Lego®-Based Therapy might evidence a reductio...

In the context of education, early intervention (EI) services are crucial in ensuring that children with disabilities and their families receive the foundational support necessary for their full participation and success in a diverse learning environment (Hornby, 2014; Ren & Mc Guckin, 2022). For immigrant families, where cultural and linguistic ba...

While anxiety conditions in children often manifest early in life, frequently before the age of five, and there is evidence that autism spectrum conditions (ASC) co-occur in this population, there is limited availability of interventions designed to meet the unique needs of children with both anxiety conditions and ASC. The current article examines...

This chapter explores Bronfenbrenners theory and how it compares to other theories, while also aligning it with Universal Design - an interesting perspective for psychology and education students. https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=OP7gEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA32&dq=BRONFENBRENNER+AND+UNIVERSAL+DESIGN:+A+TALE+OF+TWO+THEORIES+FOR+INCLUSION+-+Ma...

This review examines China’s educational system the “two-track system” and rural education challenges through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's Ecology System Theory. Using a theoretical framework to review related literature can support readers in understanding the intricate interplay between societal factors, cultural influences, policy decisions, and...

Technology-enhanced education can potentially enhance teaching and learning outcomes for rural educators since they face limited educational resources and low job satisfaction. Recently, there has been a surge in extended reality (XR) as an immersive learning technology to improve teaching and learning in rural areas, but without focusing on rural...

https://www.routledge.com/Adopting-a-UDL-Attitude-within-Academia-Understanding-and-Practicing-Inclusion/Quirke-Guckin-McCarthy/p/book/9780367684686 Adopting a UDL Attitude within Academia bridges the gap between the theory and practice of UDL (Universal Design for Learning). It guides the reader through the origins of the development of UDL as an...

Abstract Although education is a fundamental human right for global citizens, educational inequality still exists within and among countries. Still today, many students struggle to access and receive quality education. Therefore, the value of using immersive technology to increase social competence and perceived social support for children who liv...

The use of social media in higher education has been demonstrated in a number of studies to be an attractive and contemporary method of teaching and learning. However, further research and investigation are required in order to align social media's pedagogical benefits with the theoretical perspectives that inform educational practices. It is the o...

This poster builds on the learning of a recently completed research project exploring the role of fathers’/dads’ and their involvement in the lives of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEN/D). Through the lessons that were learned from the experience of researching over the pandemic, it sets out a practical guideline for...

The aim of this study was to reveal research trends from 2009 to 2021 by bibliometric analysis and to examine qualitative content of articles related to the use of social media as a teaching and learning tool in higher education. For bibliometric mapping analysis, a total of 772 articles were accessed and for content analysis, a total of 55 article...

This paper explores an experience of inclusion in research and relationships. In the beginning it was a doctoral study exploring Career Guidance and Disability, but the resultant learning journey was more about inclusion; and moreover contemporary inclusive researching (Quirke & Mc Guckin, C. 2018, 2019, 2021). In the most part, inclusion in educat...

This chapter presents the results of a systematic review that investigated the use of mixed reality (MR) technology to assist social competence learning in mainstream education. Social competence represents our ability to interact with others and, therefore, is a key determinant for many of the possibilities that are presented to us across the life...

A substantive body of research demonstrates negative bias toward reporting characteristics of young people associated with bullying and cyberbullying in schools, as both victims and perpetrators. The current study proposes a different approach. A sample of 2,799 postprimary school pupils aged 12 to 19 years (M = 15.5, SD = 1.66), divided equally ac...

This literature review prefaced a research project that explored dads’ role and involvement in the lives and education of their children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEN/D) within the context of early intervention (EI) (see Ren & Mc Guckin, 2022). We present a comprehensive, critical, and analytical review of the literature r...

Conceptualizing the development of families and their children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEN/D) within the context of education, Bronfenbrenner (1979) highlights the significance of meso-systemic interactions between the child’s family and everyday settings (e.g., early year’s settings, school, community). As a system of s...

The COVID-19 pandemic has created extraordinary global crises and unprecedented disruption to education. The current situation has become changeable and unpredictable, which may lead to chronic cognitive issues for students who have no access to education. At the same time, the use of virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a powerful instru...

This case study explores how Mary Quirke aimed to engage in Inclusionary Research for her doctoral research project and how her “Inclusion as Process” approach depended on and related to an “Ethics as Process” approach. The case study explains “Inclusion as Process” as an approach to research and discusses ethical implications of particular relevan...

Before creating and implementing a new program of research, it is necessary to consider a theoretical or conceptual framework to guide this planning process. Considering there are many models and frameworks available in terms of directing the development of research programs (e.g., the program development model, the logic model), researchers want t...

This research designed a peer-mediated play programme for reducing anxiety for children aged 4 to 6 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on a scoping review in preparation of a systematic literature review. Specifically, the research sought to identify the prevalence of concurrent anxiety disorders and autism spectrum disorder, and the n...

Background: Given the limited research into fathers’ experiences of early intervention (EI) services where child and/or family characteristics indicate complex needs within the unique Irish context, this study adds to existing literature through a narrative inquiry into the experiences of fathers (n=7) with complex circumstances, such as having ch...

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterised by challenges with social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests (American Psychological Association, 2013). Young children with ASD frequently have impairments in early social communication skills including language and joint attentio...

Children who lack social capacities and interactive abilities can be classified as having "social skills deficits." Children with these symptoms can also meet the criteria for multiple mental health diagnoses, e.g., social anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With an ever-growing research base of technolo...

由于游戏在欧洲学前教育界已被广泛认为是促进儿童早期学习和全面发展的重要途径，所以游戏被广泛运用到欧洲幼儿园的教学活动中，以此支持儿童的学习。但是，随着世界各国对入学准备与人力资本竞争的重视，游戏在学前教育教学活动中的性质实发生了变化。越来越多的欧洲幼儿园课程将游戏视作一种教学工具，其作用仅在于达成教学目的，而不是关注游戏本身对儿童的发展价值。在此背景下，欧洲学前教育研究者的最新研究成果及其学前教育界对游戏教学所做的各种改革，促使“引导游戏”作为一种介于结构性游戏和自由游戏之间的一种“中间地带教学法“，被引入到欧洲幼儿园课程实践中，游戏的本体价值日益受到重视。欧洲游戏教学发展的历史与当下的改革启示我国学前教育界应进一步转变思想观念，根据学前儿童发展特点，灵活开展游戏教学，同时应进一步深化教师对...

It is evident that the involvement of fathers/dads is crucial to the development of young children. This has been demonstrated across decades of research exploring the role of fathers/dads and their contribution to a child’s development and learning within the context of families of typically developing children (Ahnert & Schoppe-Sullivan, 2019; Br...

The purpose of this work is to present the content validation process of the Cyberbullying Questionnaire de-signed in Ireland by Corcoran and Mc Guckin (2014). In this instrumental study, 15 judges with expertise and experience in the subject participated, who quantitatively and qualitatively weighted the questionnaire. Regarding the qualitative an...

Having submitted in 2020 with “inclusion” as a central theme – little did the authors realise how critical this exploration would be. The paper argued the need to adopt a considered approach to “inclusion” in the contemporary world. Influenced by the significant advances in education one group demanded in the past and resultant changes in political...

The authors of this paper wish to argue that UD and UDL are broad philosophies and need to be considered as they are adopted. They cannot presume to be prescriptive and are not the end game – rather the ‘beginning’ of new discourse that has to be nurtured – particularly as we seek to include more in the “inclusion debate”. This is a research and ap...

This is the pre-conference resource prepared for the upcoming European Conference on Educational Research (ECER) 2021. It offers short bites of our research presentation entitled "Recognising the Silent Contributors: Supporting the Involvement of Fathers/Dads in the Education of Young Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN/D)...

Handout

This presentation addresses the systematic literature review method followed by the researcher to identify key literature related to this topic.

While the participation of fathers/dads in the early intervention (EI) programme provided for families of children with special educational needs (SEN) has been proved to have a positive impact on the educational and experiential outcome of the child and the family, the level of fathers/dads involvement in EI continue to be low and the reasons for...

This research evaluated the effectiveness of peer-mediated block play for reducing anxiety for aged 4 to 6 years children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specifically, the research sought to identify the risk factors of anxiety disorders and extra challenges of concurrent anxiety and ASD in children. And to explore how an overarching program i...

China and Ireland's investment in after-school education presents a polarization. Irish government issued a series of policies to support families having affordable childcare services and after-school services. Nevertheless, the importance of after-school education has not been emphasized by Chinese government and there are barely supportive polici...

This chapter focuses upon the concept of Active Distance Learning (ADL) as a pedagogical approach to designing and teaching in a remote learning setting. This concept has been developed at the University of Northampton to complement their pedagogical approach of Active Blended Learning. ADL combines sense-making activities with focused and engaging...

Our approach to working with children with autism in this article is not about the engagement philosophies but rather is focussed at a social communicative level: not just hearing and seeing but listening and understanding, therefore, communicating respect and dignity to the child. This article provides case examples from a qualitative research pro...

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterised by challenges with social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests (American Psychological Association, 2013). Young children with ASD frequently have impairments in early social communication skills including language and joint attentio...

Inclusive practice needs to be a bigger conversation. Is it time in higher education to think more about 'inclusion' than 'inclusive practice'. Drawing on models of disability and the evolution towards a more Universal Design approach and philosophy, recent projects including the Irish FET UDL strategy and the Disability Officer role document; we e...

Preliminary research results from my bio-psycho-social study investigating the experiences of pregnancy in adolescence that resulted in a "gestnatal" (from conception to 28 days post birth) deaths have revealed common narratives of silence and stigma for these school girls. The way that school professionals interact with girls following abortions a...

A new framework for understanding the prior events, relationship, and personality of the griever, as situated within an ecological environment, could provide a modern tool for researchers and practitioners to better understand and support the bereaved adolescent and bereavement outcome. Preliminary results from my PhD data analysis and results from...

课后教育的主要目的是学为学生提供额外的课程辅导和兴趣活动，帮助学生的全面发展，支持家长更好地投入工作和自我提升。爱尔兰课后教育有着完善的模式：政府出台了一系列的政策，如：课后儿童保育计划、学龄儿童保育计划和社区儿童普遍保育金计划，鼓励儿童参加课后教育，为家庭减轻负担。同时，政府巩固与第三方机构的合作、积极调动社区资源，加强监管，旨在全国范围内打造高质量的课后教育体系。这种健全的课后教育模式与政策支持有利于儿童健康成长，并对当地家庭和社区文化产生了有利的影响。

Cyberbullying is similar to, but distinct from, traditional bully–victim problems. In this continuously evolving area of interpersonal communication for children and young people, it is important to explore three important and interrelated issues. First, the developing nature of knowledge in the area and continuous technological developments requir...

People with disabilities have been among the most marginalized groups within society, with consequent limitations imposed on their access to many goods within society, including education, employment, and economic independence. Some progress is evident in the establishment of more inclusive learning environments, yet it is also clear that upon leav...

Family Systems Theory, nested in a bioecological systems model (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) emphasises the existence of subsystems within the family. The functions of the systems are considered to involve support, regulation, nurturance and socialisation. Family interactions are the processes in the conceptual framework that include the marital subsystem...

This paper will explore the evolution of one of the key roles on campus for students with a disability in the context of Universal Design for Learning - that of the Disability Officer. The role of Disability Officer, while neither a teacher or a learner – is primarily occupied with all those engaged in making learning accessible. It is a role that...

This article presents an innovative educational and work readiness programme for people with intellectual disability in the Republic of Ireland. Through this presentation, we seek to highlight the facilitating factors that may encourage a more ambitious reimagining of what may be possible for those individuals who have been marginalised to date.

Situating children and young people within the Lloyd & Mc Guckin Multidimensional Theory of Bereavement can help education professionals better understand and support the estimated 20k+ bereaved children within Irish schools. The Lloyd & Mc Guckin MTB will be published in the 60th Anniversary of the Bereavement Care Journal later this year and the...

The right to an inclusive education has been reinforced by international agreements. Challenges continue to exist, as inclusion poses conceptual and praxis-based complexities in Irish (pre)schools. Nussbaum suggests that we construct "normal" as a form of protection from disruption, where we hide disruptions that elicit shame. Through her capabilit...

This article reports on findings from a study with recently qualified social workers on the use of social media in their practice. The findings reported here are drawn from a broader study on the use of electronic communications conducted with both newly qualified teachers and social workers. The focus group data reported here provide an insight in...

Susan is a autism class teacher and provides interesting insights into her approach to teaching and learning. She demonstrate a professional and dynamic approach to literacy and uses relationships as a cornerstone to understanding what learners in her care actually need. She is authentic and practical. This article raises questions to how we concep...

Following the 2008 recession, Ireland experienced unemployment rates as high as 15% (McGuinness, O’Connell and Kelly, 2014). Policy responses have been through the introduction of upskilling and reskilling through activation labour market policies (ALMPs) in the higher education sector (Department of Education and Skills, 2015). The evidence to dat...

This paper will explore the evolution of one of the key roles on campus for students with a disability in the context of Universal Design for Learning-that of the Disability Officer. The role of Disability Officer, while neither a teacher or a learner–is primarily occupied with all those engaged in making learning accessible. It is a role that is v...

Internationally there are increasing numbers of young people on the ASD spectrum attending higher education. Early transition planning is essential and students with ASD often require support to articulate their post-school educational goals and actively participate in transition planning meetings. Services within higher education are primarily des...

The objective of this presentation is to stimulate advisors to examine their own practices at work rather than relying on the same tried and true methods and procedures at a time when there is a greater diversity of students on campus engaging in service than ever before. While the proposal is spotlighting careers advisors, the approach recommended...

Positive Connections: The views of recent social work and teacher graduates on their use of social media. Abstract: Drawing on their research with newly graduated social workers and teachers, the presenters map the views of recent graduates on the gains and pitfalls which they associate with the use of social media in the period of their lives whe...

Introduction In Ireland, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed condition in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). However, little is known about the experiences of stakeholders affected by ADHD in their pathways through care, especially in Ireland. Objectives The aim of this stakeholder voice...

While there is now a well-established international literature on traditional school based bullying, the literature on cyberbullying is showing a steady growth. The aim of this research was to understand the psychological impact of bullying behaviour and the bidirectional relationship between mental health and traditional and cyberbullying. As part...

Tackling international variation of the definition of “perinatal” for research implications. Background: During the planning of a systematic literature review, it became evident that terminology for deaths within the gestational and neonatal periods are classified in two ways. One group has clear and generally unambiguous operational definitions....

IATSE CONFERENCE 2018 Thinking Inclusively, Acting Inclusively and Planning Inclusively Abstract 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is the often referred to as the most common rare disease that no-one has heard about. 22q is a useful example of the issues affecting the education of children with rare diseases and those with complex health requirements. As...

IATSE CONFERENCE 2018 Thinking Inclusively, Acting Inclusively and Planning Inclusively” Abstract Recent research (Watson, Lawless and Maitre, 2017) indicates that young people with an intellectual disability are much less likely to be employed than their peers who do not have a disability. As a result, these young people have limited opportuniti...

Fellow practitioners - we need to take more than a robotic approach if we are to embrace the diversity of the future. Career guidance has changed little since its origins. While it has always sought to engage with people and assist them to find their ‘vocation’͛, never before has it faced a greater diversity of people facing an uncertain future. E...

This presentation is in response to the overarching research theme “careers in times of social and political change” and in particular “the place of vulnerable groups in the labour market. The proposed paper will give and overview of my research programme for their doctorate and focus on a particular paper "First steps of the unemployed learner” ex...

ESAI, 2018 Bereavement, separation and divorce (BeSAD) can result in grief symptoms among school children which may manifest in the classroom environment. Schools in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) receive support for critical incidents of bereavement which are defined as “… any incident of sequence of events which overwhel...

Executive Summary Bereavement, separation and divorce (BeSAD) issues are traditionally considered to be “at home” experiences that impact on the family system. However, research has indicated that the impact of BeSAD (i.e. grief) may permeate the classroom and impact on, for example, concentration, academic performance, behaviour and social intera...