Education
I have extensive experience as a third-space professional in tertiary education. In various roles I have served as a learning technologist, instructional designer and learning designer, whilst also taking on leadership roles.
I have collaborated with subject matter experts on the design and development of online and blended learning resources and modules across different institutions. Courses I have worked on span vocational qualifications through to postgraduate courses. A core interest for me is developing learning experiences beyond and between campuses. Examples include the development of the UHI Geography degree, and the design and development of online programmes and microcredentials at the University of Stirling.
My work often involves:
- creating high-quality learning resources
- leading curriculum development and learning design projects, from storyboarding through to build and delivery
- supporting teaching staff to enhance the learning experience, drawing on concepts such as constructive alignment, the Community of Inquiry model, and Universal Design for Learning
- supporting student induction and development initiatives
- supporting effective practice in the use of digital learning tools
- managing curriculum development and learning design projects
- enhancing the student experience by applying accessibility standards to learning experiences
Recently I have played a leading role in the Ultra Adoption Project at Glasgow Caledonian University, which involved the transition from Blackboard Original to Blackboard Ultra. This is a significant platform change for the university after more than a quarter of a century using Blackboard Original. I led project management for the initiative, working closely with colleagues and stakeholders across the institution, and developed training and support for staff and students through both the early adopters initiative and the full rollout.
Alongside internal curriculum development, I have been involved in varied projects with external stakeholders. I led a research project exploring the use of digital platforms to mentor young authors, examining how mentoring can be used to develop writing skills and the factors that influence effective mentor-mentee relationships. I also led a Jisc project to develop a Problem Based Learning curriculum for vocational business courses, working alongside colleagues at Hopwood Hall College.