Background overview
Since 2010 I have taught and supported academics in both further and higher education on the purpose, design and effective application of learning technology. Simultaneously, developing digital literacies and skills of those in academic and in professional service roles. Often involving a collaborative process of identifying what teachers want to achieve, why and working out the most appropriate solutions for their subject specialism(s). Through my own experience and research, much success of learning technology depends on underpinning appropriate pedagogical rationales and approaches, not wholly led by technology itself. Including a high levels of digital capabilities in order to exploit the potential of digital tools and systems.
I consider my main role in learning technology to nurture people's online learning and teaching design and practices whilst developing their digital capabilities. Encouraging and inspiring new ideas, approaches and innovation. One size doesn’t fit all learners and teachers and I can help them to find an approach that suits their specific needs. I understand the challenges of those that want to use learning technologies, but feel less able due to confidence, skills and unsure what, how and where they can be used. I don't consider myself a true techie/gadget type of person, although I am naturally curious about learning and technology due to being a learning technologist. But I have preference to thinking through purposes, pedagogical practice and administrative processes. I communicate in straightforward and plain English language to help make things easier for people to understand. Without appearing patronising towards the quality of their knowledge and practice.
As a true lifelong learner, I put my own learning at the heart of supporting others. I need to understand what it means to me in order to make it easier for others to understand: accessible, simplified, practical. I build rapport quickly through my wholehearted approaches. I learn best by experiential learning (doing) and reflecting, hence me being proactive in my own learning, research and openness to work with others. I challenge my expertise by critically evaluating and reflecting on my own views and assumptions and welcoming others perspectives. Constantly questioning where information and good practice derives from. To learn more about my work experience, volunteering work and recommendations view my Profile tab above.
My key expertise and skills include:
- Digital, academic and strategic leadership and operational management
- Learning technologies including Virtual Learning Environments and other tools in the digital ecosystem, immersive learning suites and ePortfolios
- Curriculum design and development
- Learning design; digital, online and blended course, learning activity and assessment design
- Digital literacies, skills and capabilities development
Research areas:
- Digital pedagogy, immersive learning and virtual reality, online asynchronous learning and digital literacies.
My main activity areas:
- Developing and supporting learning, teaching and assessment effectively through purposeful use of digital technology
- Informing appropriate and purposeful choices of digital technology and multimedia content
- Inspiring, shaping and developing blended and online courses, learning activities and content presentation
- Developing and progressing individuals' digital literacies, skills and capabilities
- Evaluating courses, content, practices, processes and services
- Reflecting and writing on practices, tools and designs
- Enabling continuous improvement in online learning, teaching, courses and practices
- Sourcing theory and evidence-based literature and practice to support design and evaluation of digital and online learning, teaching and assessment
My credentials include:
- Qualified in teaching, assessing, lead internal verification, management and leadership and hold a Technology Enhanced Learning MSc
- Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Authority (SFHEA)
- Senior Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Technology (SCMALT)
- Completed Jisc's Digital Leaders programme 2021
- Accolades:
- Finalist: Teaching Innovation of the Year, Student Nursing Times Awards 2024
- Team project on 'Behind the creative canvas: An innovative trauma-informed art-based educational approach using an immersive learning pedagogy': https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/inm.13250.
- Winner of the ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Award 2016 (individual category), issued by ALT
- Winner: Elephant Learning Designs, Chair of Governors' Award, Excellence Awards 2016, issued by Barnsley College
- Shortlisted: Outstanding use of technology for improving teaching and learning, TES FE Awards 2016, issued by TES
- Highly Commended: Elephant Learning Designs, Digital and Creative Award, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2015, issued by Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce
- Winner: Elephant Learning Designs, Business Impact Award, Staff Star Awards 2015, issued by Barnsley College
- Finalist: Digital Practitioner of the Year 2013, issued by Learning and Work Institute
- Author of 'Digital Learning, Teaching and Assessment for HE and FE Practitioners' and 'Learning Technology: A Handbook for FE Teachers and Assessors'
- Chapter reviewer and contributor on three Ann Gravell's books principles and practices of Teaching and Training (2017) and Assessment (2021), and Achieving your Diploma in Teaching (2024), and Gilly Salmon's Etivities (2013), plus wrote many articles for ETF's Society for Education and Training inTuition magazine, TES and Teaching Times - view my Publications tab for more
- Contracted by touchconsulting Ltd as a Digital Design Lead to develop online modules for the Advanced Practitioners Year 3 programme, subsidised by the Education and Training Foundation
- Invited by Sarah Knight and Lou McGill of Jisc to review their learning technologist role profile
- Invited to consult on The Education and Training Foundation's (ETF) ‘Digital Teaching Professional Framework’ and assist writing 200 bite-size certified online training modules for the ‘Enhance Digital Teaching Platform’. The platform was recognised in The Edtech 50 Yearbook 2020 (February) and 2021 (December), issued by EdtechUK
- Invited to consult on the development of ETF's Essential Digital Skills teaching resources Additionally, I am acknowledged for reviewing the accompanying learning guides; English spoken as another language (ESOL) and preparation for life and work (PLW)
- Developed the new qualification Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Technology Enhanced Learning
- National contact for Level 3 and 4 Diplomas in Digital Learning Design qualifications (set up and delivery of apprenticeship)
- Assisted writing the Level 4 Award for Technology Enabled Educators and a Level 2 Digital Literacy qualification
- Public speaking - see Speaking tab above
- Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE)
What am I available to do?
Consultancy:
- Determining learning technology purpose, design and application for educational needs
- Curriculum design and development
- Digital capabilities development of departments
- Technology Enhanced Learning/eLearning strategy development
- Co-facilitating learning design processes to create blended, online and distance programmes/educational activities and resources
- Virtual Learning Environment design/online course design, critical review for quality improvement
- More informally, if you need a sounding board, am always happy to listen/share/advise. Or act as a critical friend to bounce ideas off, get feedback on your plans, or get different ideas to help you plan further
Qualifications/courses:
- Writing, developing and reviewing new and existing digital learning type qualifications, including programme content (traditional and online)
- Writing and scrutinising assessment materials
- Guest teaching/speaking and attending TeachMeets on learning technology in FE, HE and initial teacher training programmes - Education and Training qualification suite, CertEd, PCET and PGCE
- Coaching, mentoring, assist in research and supported experiments of learning technology in learning, teaching and assessment
- Assessing, internal and external quality assuring and teaching on or similar to:
- Core Unit 5: Effective digital and online pedagogies, within the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills). Entails identifying and developing personal digital skills, application of educational technologies and managing digital delivery.
- Level 5 Digital Learning Designer
- Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Technology Enhanced Learning
- Level 3 and 4 Diplomas in Digital Learning Design
- Level 3, 4 and 5 in Education and Training, including CertEd, PCET and PGCE
- Level 4 Certificate in Technology in Learning Delivery
- Level 4 Award for Technology Enabled Educators
- Level 4 Award in Digital Learning for Educators
- Level 4 Award in Teaching Online
- eTutoring on the above qualifications or similar
Publications:
- Writing/co-writing books, chapters, articles, journals, learning technology guidance and processes
- Proofreading and reviewing books, chapters, articles, journals
- Speaking about my own books
- Participating in student's studies and research in the sphere of Technology Enhanced Learning
Mentoring:
- Career mentoring - In the context of office based education roles and apprenticeships/internships such as learning technologist (or similar titles), assessing, teaching, leadership and management and administration.
Moreover, this is not an exhaustive list - I'm happy to collaborate and share expertise anything in the capacity of my learning technology and digital capabilities expertise.
How far will I travel?
I am willing to travel anywhere in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire regions - not forgetting online! However, I am open to further areas depending on your needs.
Contact me
How can I help you? If you find that my work and experience is useful to you or if you know of any projects that I would be suitable for, I could be a resource to your project/organisation.
If you want to discuss your needs, please contact me at b.danielsc@googlemail.com (or via my accounts above) and we can take it from there. 👍
How far will I travel?
I am willing to travel anywhere in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire regions - not forgetting online! However, I am open to further areas depending on your needs.
Contact me
How can I help you? If you find that my work and experience is useful to you or if you know of any projects that I would be suitable for, I could be a resource to your project/organisation.
If you want to discuss your needs, please contact me at b.danielsc@googlemail.com (or via my accounts above) and we can take it from there. 👍
Rebecca Peat (27 November 2020) - "Highly recommend Dan for his digital practice knowledge, support and educational development. His calm, patient and professional approach, coupled with his passion and positivity has enabled me to quickly and confidently develop my virtual workshop delivery skills and approach. Highly recommend Dan."
Chris Melia (7 February 2020) - "Dan has become a hugely influential figure across both learning technology and educational development.
I first became aware of Dan’s work a number of years ago, and personally found his professional blog to be of real interest and insight - particularly as I began to embark on my own career in education. I’m confident that Dan’s openness and honesty around his experiences, will have equally had a similar impact on other early-career learning technologists.
When launching UCLan’s DigiLearn Sector community, it became clear that inviting external colleagues in as ‘co-ordinators’ would prove absolutely crucial to the initiative’s overall success and growth. Naturally, Dan’s name was the first that came to mind, and he brought with him a wealth of experience, expertise and insights that have since proven invaluable.
Dan’s book: “Learning Technology: A Handbook for FE Teachers and Assessors”, is an authentic go-to guide for all things learning technology and is now a staple publication across the sector. Its ‘practical’ nature has made it accessible to all, not making any assumptions of its reader.
I have absolutely no doubt that we will be working together on many future collaborations and would recommend Dan as an essential connection for anyone with an interest in educational technology, in any capacity."
Stuart Greensmith White (28 August 2018) - "Daniel is an experienced, enthusiastic and ever-developing specialist. His attitude to his work and his extra-curricular activities is exceptional and it's hard not to be motivated by his infectious smile and obvious passion toward his field. His ability to build positive working relationships and lead by example set him apart from his peers - his high level of emotional intelligence and the way he works easily alongside any colleague are a rare talent. Dan would be an asset to any team and I would recommend him without hesitation."
Kayte Haselgrove (2 July 2016) - "Dan is a passionate and dedicated practitioner, he is always willing to provide guidance and support to enhance digital teaching and learning and is keen to work collaboratively with colleagues from across the college in order to improve and expand his own practices. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Dan at Barnsley College and we have continued our professional relationship of sharing good practices following my departure from the college. A valued colleague. "
Scott Tolan (23 May 2016) - "Having worked with Dan for almost 3 years I have witnessed first hand his passion and enthusiasm for teaching and learning, alongisde a range of digital technologies. He enjoys sharing his knowledge in a friendly and approachable manner and I am one of many people who have gained from this!"
Karen Markham (16 July 2014) - "Daniel is an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual who has excellent IT skills. Dan is always keen to develop new skills and knowledge which he share with his peers and colleagues. As part of his job role he designs and delivers training courses to staff on a group or individual basis; he also visits externals to share and develop good practice. Dan is a valued and integral member of the LTU Department."
Kevin Campbell-Wright (23 August 2013) - "Daniel is one of the gems in e-learning who has got not only the knowledge of the purpose and practice but also to enthusiasm and drive to bring forward change in an area where there is often considerable resistance.
Daniel has a story to tell about his own learning; coming from a personal situation where learning was not seen as important, he has recognised its potential when pitched in a way that maximises interest and translated that understanding into a drive to help others access positive learning experiences through technology. In a very short space of time he has gone from being a slightly shy technology explorer to a confident speaker and teacher in his own right, achieving quite considerable change in the organisation he works for. I worked briefly with Daniel while at Jisc RSC YH, but continue dialogue in my new role at NIACE...and I'd be surprised if we loose dialogue, as he is certainly one to watch."
Scott Hibberson (4 July 2012) - "Daniel has provided invaluable input at key events organised by the JISC Regional Support Centre in the Yorkshire and Humber region over the years, especially at events focussed on engaging learners with virtual learning environments (Moodle) and learning technologies. Daniel always demonstrates a great deal of enthusiasm for his subject that is infectious and encourages others to explore the benefits of adopting learning technologies further."
Robert Hutton (undated) - "Daniel is an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual who has excellent IT skills. Dan is always keen to develop new skills and knowledge which he share with his peers and colleagues. As part of his job role he designs and delivers training courses to staff on a group and individual basis; he also visits externals to share and develop good practice. Dan is a valued and integral member of the LTU Department."
