My future professional development will continue to focus on the relationship between educational technology, inclusive learning design and the changing needs of educators and learners. As an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong, I aim to bring together my experience in learning design, educational research and professional learning to contribute to more equitable, critically…
Blog
Specialist Area: Inclusive Learning Design
Inclusive learning design has been a significant focus of my professional work, informed by my experience as an educator, learning designer and researcher. I understand inclusion as more than meeting accessibility requirements or providing alternative formats. It involves anticipating learner diversity, examining barriers to participation and making deliberate design decisions that enable learners to engage…
Core Area 4: Communication and Working with Others
Communication and collaboration have been central to my professional practice in learning design and educational technology. My work has involved collaborating with academics, learning designers, technical specialists, educators and industry professionals, often with different perspectives on teaching, learning and technology. Through these experiences, I have come to recognise that effective communication requires more than explaining…
Core Area 3: The Wider Context
3a: Understanding and engaging with legislation As an academic and learning designer, I recognise that educational technology decisions are shaped not only by pedagogical considerations but also by legal responsibilities. These include ensuring equitable access to education, protecting personal information and respecting intellectual property rights. An important example of my engagement with these responsibilities was…
Core Area 2: Teaching, Learning and Assessment Processes
2a: Understanding of teaching, learning, and/or assessment processes My approach to learning design is grounded in the understanding that effective educational technology must serve a clearly articulated pedagogical purpose. Throughout my career, I have drawn on educational theory, professional experience and learner feedback to design learning environments that promote critical thinking, engagement and the practical…
Core Area 1: Operational Issues
1a: Understanding the constraints and benefits of different technologies My approach to selecting learning technologies is informed by an understanding that their educational value depends on their suitability for particular learners, pedagogical purposes and institutional contexts. While different technologies offer different possibilities, their successful adoption requires consideration of accessibility, usability, technical requirements and the demands…
Contextual Statement
After graduating with my teaching degree in Sydney, I began my teaching career at Chafford Hundred Campus (now Harris Academy) in Thurrock, England. It was here that my interest in the integration of technology into education first took shape. Chafford Hundred was one of the first 1:1 laptop schools in England, and I quickly became…
About me
I am a committed, knowledgeable and capable mid-career researcher and leader. I have extensive experience in a wide range of education contexts (primary, secondary, tertiary, corporate and vocation) as an academic, practitioner and policy-maker. I have a significant body of funded grants, high quality published research and an extensive network of professional and academic contacts,…
In Memoriam: Margaret Currie
Recently, Margaret Mary Currie, my mother in law, passed away. I’d known Margaret for more than 20 years – since Liz and I first got together at university, and, much like her husband, David, Margaret was a constant in Liz and I’s ever-changing life: living overseas, returning home, buying a house, getting a dog, having…
Getting ‘Meta’: Designing Learning About Learning Design
In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, the need for professionals skilled in learning design is growing at an unprecedented pace. According to recent studies, the learning design industry is expected to grow by up to 7% over the next three years, as industries across various sectors recognize the value of well-designed learning experiences. This includes…