True Learning

Educational Research

I like to use qualitative research to flesh out the quantitative research – either beforehand to generate inputs for testing in the quantiative methods, or afterwards in order to refine my insights. The two research methodologies become part of an mixed methods integrated process.      

Instructional Design

My approach to e-learning course design and development is with careful consideration of the underlying pedagogy (i.e. how learning takes place online) based on my continuing research into the pedagogical principles underlying teaching and learning activities that constitute effective e-learning.

Research Record and Interests

I have worked on a number of research projects in both the commercial and academic worlds including:

Rural Health

Conducted Internet search and wrote a report that identified the training required and competences needed to support the new out-of-hours and unscheduled Health care requirements. The report also reviewed the on-line learning opportunities already available for the health care sector and which are used in Scotland. This report was part of the work undertaken for the Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) project: Sustainable Rural Health Care Networks.

Young Entrepreneurs

Conducted research into the support and training available for young entrepreneurs in Northern Europe; designed a survey to identify the views of young people on starting a business; and designed an evaluation strategy for the Young Entrepreneur Factory project (www.yefactory.com).

Enabling Students To Be More Creative in Fashion and Systems Design

Conducted research for DfEE and University of Northumbria at Newcastle (www.unn.ac.uk) into identifying the needs for creative and innovative skills of businesses and into how these skills can be learned by students to meet these business needs.

What Makes Excellent Customer Service

Conducted research into ‘excellent customer service in call centres’ on behalf of Trinity Horne Consulting (www.trinityhorne.com) and developed a model based on the research for training new recruits.

Effective Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Conducted research for MPHIL at the University of Sunderland (www.sunderland.ac.uk) into the most effective teaching and learning methods available based on how people learn best and how the best teachers ensure their students’ learning. Also how to adapt teaching styles to student learning  styles. 

Using Mental Rehearsal to Improve Performance

Conducted research for BA degree into the way athletes use visualisation (mental rehearsal) to achieve peak performance at Manchester Metropolitan University(www.mmu.ac.uk).      

Instructional Design Experience

I have over 3 years experience:

• In the development and delivery of e-learning materials and activities across a range of subjects.
• Working with web based software systems for a wide range of applications in the educational sector, including web content management, VLE’s (Bodington, Blackboard, WebCT), and research applications.
• Working with colleagues across College to encourage, train and develop the effective use of online resources and learning environments.

Modules Developed

I have developed online learning materials (and assisted in the conversion of print-based materials into online learning materials) for the following Further Education units:

• Marketing: Basic Principles
• Behaviour, Populations and Environment
• Cell Function and Inheritance
• Mathematics 1
• Information Technology
• Working with Others
• Problem Solving
• Recording of Financial Transactions
• SVQ/NVQ Level 1 Administration
• SVQ/NVQ Level 2 Administration
• SVQ/NVQ Level 3 Administration
• Principles of Health Care
• Health Care: Practice Experience
• Computer Application Package: Word Processing
• Certificate in Counselling Skills

I have also developed an online learning resource: “the Rough Guide to Research” which consists of over 30 chapters from ‘Planning the research Project’ to ‘Writing the Dissertation.’