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
My main activity areas:
- Teaching and assessing effectively through purposeful 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 verifying, 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:
- Shortlisted: Teaching Innovation of the Year, Student Nursing Time 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 two Ann Gravell's books principles and practices of Assessment, Teaching and Training and Achieving your Diploma in Teaching, and Gilly Salmon's Etivities, 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
- Digital skills/capabilities of organisations, teams, groups and individuals
- Technology Enhanced Learning/eLearning strategy development
- 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
- Critical friend/advice on anything related to the above - bounce ideas off, get feedback on your plans, or get different ideas to help you plan
- More informally, if you need a sounding board, am always happy to listen/share/advise.
Qualifications/courses:
- Writing, developing and reviewing new and existing 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
- Teaching, assessing and internal and external quality assuring on or similar to:
- 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
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. 👍
