Newcastle University

Introduction

I joined the PGCE Primary team in September 2004 and my main area of responsibility is the teaching of Diversity and Equality. My PhD research concerned the microgenetic analysis of small group talk for bilingual pupils learning English as an additional language.
My underlying research interest lies in equity in education. Recent research involves an investigation of teaching critical whiteness studies to Initial Teacher Education students in England.
Prior to joining the University I taught in UK, Zimbabwe and New Zealand, as well as working as an EAL specialist teacher for Gateshead EMTAS (Ethnic Minority Achievement Service).

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Pure Mathematics (Warwick)
PGCE (Primary)
MEd
PhD 'Analysis of pupil-pupil talk during game playing: a tool in the formative assessment of bilingual pupils' (Newcastle University)

Research Interests

My research interest lies in the field of equity in education. I am currently investigating the impact of teaching 'Critical Whiteness Studies' and Critical Race Theory as part of the PGCE course.
This is an extension of an earlier small-scale Multiverse-funded study to research how to effectively mentor student teachers in their appropriation of the QTS standards relating to diversity, particularly in a predominantly 'white' area such as the North-East. Previous research also includes an investigation into Black/minority ethnic students' decisions in choosing teaching as a profession. This research was internally funded through the UTLC. I have also taken part in an ESRC seminar series: "Assessment and Management of Children with English as an Additional Language who have Communication Impairments: Finding a New Way Forward".
My doctoral work involved researching the learning and teaching of pupils with EAL; the role of play and games for learning; recording and analysing classroom talk and particularly peer-peer talk (discourse analysis); sociocultural theory and its implications in understanding learning and assessment.

Other Expertise

I am on the management panel of MERIT a collaborative venture with 5 other local ITE providers to promote increased participation of Black and minority ethnic groups into the teaching profession within the North-East.I am also a member of the PGCE Equal Opportunities sub-committee, and recently rewrote the PGCE Equlaity, Diversity and Cohesion Policy.

Postgraduate Supervision

Gail Edwards (staff PhD):
Michiko Masuya (PhD part-time): How Discourse Constructs Values in the British and Japanese TV News
Shaban Aldabbus (IPhD): An investigation into the Impact of Language Games on Classroom Interaction and Pupil Achievement in Libyan Basic Education Schools.

Funding

Mentoring for diversity in a predominantly monolingual area: the development of a specialist partnership group: a pilot study. Multiverse-funded: £7K: 1 year from September 2006

Recruitment of minority ethnic students to the PGCE at Newcastle University: UTLC: £5K: 1-2 years from September 2005.

Projects

• Embedding ICT In The Literacy And Numeracy Strategies
  Project Leader(s): Steve Higgins
• Mentoring for diversity in a predominantly monolingual area: the development of a specialist partnership group: a pilot study
  Project Leader(s): Dr. Heather Jane Smith
  This pilot study aimed to monitor the creation of a specialist partnership group involving local schools, local ethnic minority achievement services, and an ITE provider, and its capacity to support the mentoring of ITE students in their appropriation of
• Previous Research Projects
• Recruitment of minority ethnic students to the PGCE at Newcastle University Overview
  Project Leader(s): Heather Smith

Postgraduate Teaching

PGCE Primary - Diversity and Eqiuality, Science, Maths, English, Reflective Practitioner.
MEd: Inclusion of pupils with EAL and equivalent in international contexts.

• Smith H. Playing a different game: The contextualised decision-making processes of minority ethnic students in choosing a higher education institution. Race Ethnicity and Education 2007, 10(4), 415-437.
• Smith HJ. The social and private worlds of speech: Speech for inter- and intramental activity. Modern Language Journal 2007, 91(3), 341-356.
• Smith H, Higgins S. Opening classroom interaction: The importance of feedback. Cambridge Journal of Education 2006. , 36(4), 485-502.
• Smith H. Playing to learn: A qualitative analysis of bilingual pupil-pupil talk during board game play. Language and Education 2006, 20(5), 415-437.
• Smith HJ, Higgins S, Wall K, Miller J. Interactive whiteboards: Boon or bandwagon? A critical review of the literature. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 2005,21 2 91-101.
• Wall K, Higgins S, Smith H. 'The visual helps me understand the complicated things': pupil views of teaching and learning with interactive whiteboards. British Journal of Educational Technology 2005, 36(5), 851-867.
• Higgins S, Wall K, Falzon C, Hall E, Leat D, Baumfield V, Clark J, Edwards G, Jones H, Lofthouse R, Moseley D, Miller J, Murtagh L, Smith F, Smith H, Woolner P. Learning to Learn in Schools Phase 3 Evaluation Year One Final Report. London: Campaign for Learning, 2005.
• Edwards G, Smith HJ. What are the purposes of student evaluation in initial teacher education?: a critique of neoliberal purposes and practices. Journal of Education Policy 2012. In Preparation.