I qualified as a teacher around 30 years ago and worked as a teacher/lecturer in both schools and colleges before coming to the University in 2003. My interest in computing began when I was at school but opportunities to utilise that interest were restricted. I used some of the first IBM PCs in the UK during my degree as well as the Mainframe computers which were then the norm. While working in colleges, I delivered modules in computing to degree level. My interests in computing are diverse and this is useful within my job role as teachers can be asked to deliver a wide range of content to children in school.
At the University I have been involved in delivering Teacher Training courses in Computing/ICT for the past 14 years. My role leads me to teach modules on other programmes and to supervise some dissertation students.
Teaching and supervision
I am Programme Leader for PGCE Computer Science with Qualified Teacher Status. Trainee teachers who undertake the programme spend a large number of days in school and I work with them both within the school and within the University setting.
My work with the trainees within the University setting leads me to consider pedagogical issues relating to the teaching of computing including the particular need to consider Health and Safety issues within computing classrooms. I also work with them to develop their subject knowledge in computer science.
Research interests for potential research students
- Computer science education within secondary education
- Policymaking within education
Governance