Working with children who are just beginning their schooling right up to adults who are completing their tertiary education has challenged the way that I teach. It has given me the impetus to question what I do and to strive continuously for the greatest impact.
Examples of the materials I have designed, and some that I have disseminated via workshops to academic colleagues, are illustrated in this section.
Class-based learning
As a designer of educational experiences, I am mindful at all times of how students acquire knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours. To hit the right note in my teaching, I begin by unravelling what specifically has to be taught before moving on to generate content and methods, often novel, that have the potential to stimulate, motivate and achieve the desired outcome.
Workshop-based learning
Many of my ideas have been shared with university staff in Continuous Professional Development workshops, in the Sheffield Business School and through the Library Learning Centre. My resources have also been presented at internal and external higher education conferences, and to special interest professional groups.
Place-based learning
Enabling students to participate in learning outside the classroom has always been high on my teaching agenda. Inventive challenges and other hands-on tasks in an appropriate external environment are important components of the programmes that I have designed.
