University+Staff+Profiles

The Handheld Learning Project is being researched by staff from the University of Hull, led by Kevin Burden the Principal Investigator. Staff will be working with teachers and school leaders in the project and their details and biographies are described briefly below:

Kevin Burden: Principal Investigator
Director of Postgraduate Professional Development The Centre for Educational Studies The University of Hull Tel: 01482 466731 M: 07815 184477 Skype: edskjb e-mail: k.j.burden@hull.ac.uk

Background biography
Kevin is responsible for coordinating school based professional development and specialises in educational technology. He has worked at the University for fifteen years before which time he was a secondary school teacher and head of department. He has led numerous technology related research and development projects in both the school sector and in tertiary education. These include the NOF programme, the SLICT programme for NCSL, and research/development projects for organisations such as Becta, DfES, NESTA, and more recently the European Commision. He is currently researching the use of mobile learning devices in education and is investigating the interface between virtual and mobile learning environments.

Experience and interest in Mobile learning
I am interested in many different aspects of handheld or mobile learning, starting with work I developed on how teachers use mobile devices for their own professional learning and development. I have published work in this area and in the area of frameworks for understanding mobile learning. I am interested in the area of augmented reality and how mobile devices can be used to generate different contexts for learning. In this work I am working with the London Mobile learning Group.

Areas of expertise for support and assistance
My main areas of expertise in respect to this project are"
 * research methodology and design
 * apps development and design
 * pedagogical patterns for the use of mobile technologies
 * issues relating to leadership and professional development with handheld technologies

Link research tutor for the following schools in this project

 * Scartho Junior School (school champion: Neville
 * East Ravendale primary School (school champion: Allie Majer)

Paul Hopkins: Research Support
Lecturer in Education - University of Hull Centre for Educational Studies (CES) Room 311 Wilberforce Building Cottingham Road Hull, HU6 7RX
 * L**: 01482 463196
 * M**: 07760 117979
 * W**: www.mmiweb.org.uk
 * T**: @hopkinsmmi

Background biography
Paul works part-time in the faculty of Education on the post-gradulate secondary programme for teacher education and across a number of Masters programmes. Previous to this he worked at the Open University as part of the technology enhanced learning programme and the largest NOF programme delivering CPD to over 100,00 teachers across the 4 countries of the UK; before that he worked in schools from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5 as a teacher, head of department and Senior Leader. He has been a consultant to various acronyms (Becta, DfES, DCSF, DfE, TDA, QCA) and has lectured on the application of technology in teaching and learning across the UK and other parts of Europe.

Experience and interest in Mobile learning
Paul is interested in the application of mobile learning to better teaching and learning in children. How the use of mobiles offers enhanced independent learning and a more constructavist approach to learning. I am interested in how mobile devices (and other technology) will challenge the current industrial model of learning and schooling and break down some of the barriers of time, space and teacher-pupil roles that currently exist in the classroom. I believe that the coming generation of technological tools will be a revolution in the same way that the printing press in the C19th and compulsory education in the C20th.

Areas of expertise for support and assistance
I respect to this project I can offer support on:


 * research methodology and data collection
 * pedagogic frameworks and methodological approaches
 * teaching and learning ideas across the curriculum

Link research tutor for the following schools in this project

 * Waltham Leas primary School (school champions: Lesley xxx and Tom xxx)

Leo Sietniekas:
Manager Short Courses (Multimedia) Cenrte for Lifelong Learning (CLL) Faculty of Education University of Hull Tel: 01482 806724 M: 07967657235 Skype: leosiet e-mail l.j.sietniekas@hull.ac.uk

Background biography
Leo is responsible for coordinating short courses in 'Multimedia for Education' especially Primary PGCE. He has worked at the University for 10 years before which time he was a primary school teacher and ICT Coordinator. He has led numerous technology related courses in both the school sector and in tertiary education. These include working on the NOF programme, IWB training in EAZs, and assisted in a research/development project for Westminster LA. He is currently running courses in education especially the use of digital literacy in the primary school (IWB, animation, image and film). He also currently heads an Apple Regional training Centre based at the University and has accredited numerous Apple events including the annual Apple event at Cheltenham.

Experience and interest in Mobile learning
I am interested in many different aspects of handheld or mobile learning as a continuation of the development of digital literacy. We have now reached a point where handheld devices are beginning to make an impact in learning and we need to develop a pedagogy as to their use so they are adopted effectively. I am currently in volved in the accreditation of a mobile learning device course with NE Lincs alongside Sally Critchley who is taking the role as lead tutor. We see this pilot course developing as a country wide event and dovetails nicely with the research projects being undertaken.

Areas of expertise for support and assistance

 * Extensive experience in running and developing courses
 * Research experience through an IWB project with Westminster LA
 * Experienced Apple user and ICT Coordinator
 * Very experienced in the application of ICT across the primary curriculum

Link research tutor for the following schools in this project

 * Signhills Junior School (school champion: Kim Gibson)
 * Middlethorpe Primary School (school champions: Paul xxxx and Tom xxxx)

In addition to these staff from the University of Hull the project is also being supported by Sally Critchley who is a classroom teachers working at xxxx. She is currently studyig to complete a Masters degree with the University of Hull and will be available to coach and support colleagues on this project by request.