WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THE CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN DIGITAL EDUCATION?
With a background in live art and performance, I am relatively new to digital education. I have often used virtual learning environments in my teaching but I am now expanding this aspect of my practice as I am working with Edinburgh Futures Institute to develop a new undergraduate programme which uses a range of hybrid, fusion and digital learning strategies. I am now working with Seongsook Choi and others to understand the communicative strategies, collaborative processes, and mixed methods that these new courses will require. Working with the Centre is an opportunity to learn from those with expertise in this field, and I hope that in turn my experience of creative and artistic research methods will be a valuable addition to research in digital education.
HOW DO YOU SEE DIGITAL EDUCATION AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT?
My work has always been interdisciplinary and I am interested in the various ways that collaboration can take place - whether in physical or digital spaces. When I have used digital tools and technologies in my work, I have been able to connect across continents and to facilitate exchanges in new ways with new collaborators. While almost everybody has a new relationship with digital technologies after the last two years, they have now become an important part of my work. I feel that the future of work requires a high level of digital literacy and a critical and creative approach to working in new ways. It is so important that our graduates are confident and adaptable in this changing world, and the role of Higher Education is vital to meet the challenges of the future.
WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF (TO DATE)?
As an example of my approach to digital education, I am proud of my new EFI pre-honours course, Creating Edinburgh: the interdisciplinary city. This course sets out from the classroom to explore the city and it is supported by a Pebblepad learning resource, which gathers together all the key information, activities and assessments.
Creating Edinburgh: the interdisciplinary city
IF YOU HAD A TIME MACHINE FOR A DAY WHEN WOULD YOU VISIT AND WHY?
I would head back to 2010 and give my younger self a few valuable pieces of advice, which might include something about cryptocurrency.