About
I teach History and Classics to ‘A’ Level/International Baccalaureate standard at Felsted in Essex where I am also an Assistant Head with responsibility for student voice, the strategic development of ICT, extra-curricular activities and the Regional Training Centre partnership with Apple.
I chose teaching as a career after receiving my undergraduate degree, Masters and PhD from the University of Wales, Aberystywyth. I have worked in a variety of state and independent schools in academic and pastoral roles and have published a variety of materials for KS3 and KS4 History. I also regularly present papers on historical education with a particular focus on the relationship between historical processes and the use of ICT to help further understanding in the classroom. In my spare time I like to play basketball, the cello (badly) and read widely. Although much of the work here and on my blog are linked to my employment, the views expressed here do not represent my employer.
Current and Upcoming Projects
- ‘Developing a pedagogy of ICT in RE – from substitution to transformation’ Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, January 10 2011
- Editor, #edjournal
- ‘Literacy and transformational use of technology in the History classroom’, TeachMeet Essex, October 19, 2010
- History app for Apple iPhone with Doug Belshaw.
- Oral History project with residents of Felsted Village.
- Chapter in E-Help book on History Teaching and ICT with Doug Belshaw.
- Managing the Felsted School Apple Regional Training Centre with a focus on History and hand-held learning.
Past Projects
- Micro presentation on the Felsted Mobile Learning Project, Toucan Computing Mobile Learning Briefing, Apple HQ, London, July 7th
- Chairing TeachMeet: SHP Edition at the National Schools History Project Conference, July 3 2010.
- National Schools History Project Conference, July 2-4 2010 – ‘The boy in the Nazi jumper’. This workshop will explore the life of Hans J Massaquoi and how his story can be used to provide a scaffold for an enquiry fusing traditional literacy skills and web 2.0 technology. You will discover how to engage and prepare learners for examination courses by going beyond specifications and using ‘narrative’ writing.
- E-Learning consultancy with SHP and Hodder Education.
- ‘Technology in History education: moving from 1.0 to 2.0′ EUROCLIO conference in Turkey, March 12-14 2010 with Doug Belshaw.
- ‘Developing approaches to teaching change and continuity‘, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, 22nd June 2009.
- Folens – Interactive content for their KS3 History text books with Doug Belshaw.
- ‘Technology, Culture and Politics: thinking about China in a globalised world‘ – Theory of Knowledge International Conference, ‘The Growth of Asia in World Affairs’, Felsted School
- Soundbite Learning – GCSEpod.co.uk Audiobook on Germany 1919-1990 with Doug Belshaw.
- National Schools History Project Conference 2008 – Skype Captain and the World of Tomorrow: using new technologies to promote collaboration beyond the classroom with Doug Belshaw.
- National Schools History Project Conference 2007 – Using podcasts, blogs, wikis and new media to solve learning problems with Doug Belshaw.