What I do:

I am Senior Digital Learning coordinator at Central Saint Martins (CSM). I work with staff to help them plan, design, and implement digital elements of their course. I am also responsible for designing and delivering synchronous staff development. I will produce seasonal staff development sessions that we deliver online and sometimes face-to-face. We also create digital content to support staff and students asynchronously. We host these on our learning and teaching website.  

How did I get here:

Since graduating from my undergraduate degree in Social Science, I embarked on a career in in Academic Administration. However, I began feeling frustrated in my role. When my kids were born, I decided I needed to learn a new skill. At first, I started to teach my self how to write HTML and CSS. Then I managed to secure a place on a PG Cert in Web Design and Development as a mature student by undertaking evening classes at Birkbeck, then converting it to an MA was in Digital Media Design. The core units of this course covered User Experience and Web Development. I completed the MA this just as Covid hit. At that time CSM Digital Learning team grew from 0.5 fractional role to 4 full-time postions. Just as I was wondering what to do with my new qualification, the role of Digital Learning Coordinator came up at CSM. I was then able to transition into the Digital Learning and I haven’t looked back. I consider myself to very lucky to have found a role that combines both my technical skills and my knowledge of the University systems and processes that I gained during my time as an administrator.   

In January this year, I completed a PG Cert in Academic Practice in Art, Design, and Communication at the University of the Arts London. As part of the PG Cert, I have achieved the Fellowship of Advance HE.  

My philosophy

Principally, I am motivated to help improve the student experience at the College. I believe it is vital that we deliver an inclusive environment for our students. However, this is only possible if our colleagues have the appropriate skills and knowledge to implement this. I beleive that’s where my role can help to make a difference. 

How does what you do align to ALTS core principles?

I am very interested in exploring and understanding the interplay between technology and learning. For my final Action Research project, I undertook research into the use of live automatic captioning in face-to-face teaching in the context of UAL. I examined the practically of using live captioning, and explored if they could enhance teaching in our context. This project was heavily influenced by Universal Design for Learning theory.  

I also work tirelessly to communicate and disseminate best practice you can see this in my work  

Why am I submitting for CMALT

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