About

About me

I am currently a PhD student at the University of Sheffield. My research focuses on developing a mathematical framework for modelling the physical interactions of cells in the human body.

Since starting my doctorate, I’ve become very interested in learning and teaching, and particularly the use of technology to aid them. I am currently involved in bluecloud, a project with CICS and LeTS to develop a student-owned space for sharing ideas about Web 2.0. While tools like blogs and wikis are starting to make their way into the academic mainstream (albeit often in crippled form), there are still many tools which are never mentioned in class. Nevertheless, students who are familiar with Web 2.0 will find that they have an edge both in their academic and professional careers, and we hope that bluecloud will give more Sheffield graduates that edge. You can learn more about it by reading the posts in the bluecloud category.

I teach undergraduates wherever I have the opportunity (mostly programming courses) and am also studying for the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, which has given me a useful theoretical background in learning and teaching.

More recently, I’ve moved to Swindon. I’ve started doing a bit of volunteering, with the National Trust and helping maintain the Swindon Climate Action Network website.

In my free time, I like to:

• Climb;
• Play the accordion;
• Morris dance;
• Cook;
• Read (fiction and non-fiction);
• Run.

About the blog

I began this blog in 2008 as a place to discuss and publicise the bluecloud project. When I first started, the blog was hosted on wordpress.com and I liked WordPress so much that when I finally moved to my own domain I stayed with it.

I’ve since decided to make a career change from research to training and development with a focus on e-learning, so I’ll also be posting my reflections on making that transition and learning about this new career path. I’m looking forward to becoming an active member of this rapidly developing community. Future blog posts will therefore concentrate on:

• Tools and ideas for elearning;
• Pedagogical issues concerning elearning;
• Elearning-related news and current affairs.

Occasionally I might also make reference to other activities I’m involved with. I hope you’ll get in touch if you have any advice or can suggest an area that I ought to be covering.