Paul has been a Teaching Fellow in Technology Enhanced Learning in iLab: Learn since September 2010.
Paul specialised in Digital Animation on the Media Production BA course before completing the Art and Design PGCE course, both at Northumbria University. After teaching Art, Media, Learning to Learn and Animation for 3 years at Cramlington Learning Village, Paul moved to Japan to live and teach for a year. Following this, he worked as an Agent and Practitioner on the Creative Partnerships program, continuing to use digital technology to develop new curriculum opportunities.
Paul also managed a Digital Arts programme for young people at the Tyneside Cinema for two years, and was a Link tutor for the Art and Design PGCE course at Northumbria University.
Research Interests
Paul is interested in the intelligent use of technology to support education. He takes a holistic approach to understanding and developing uses for technology within complex and changeable school environments.
His research interests include:
Paul is currently involved in supporting the application of Professor Sugata Mitra's 'Hole in the Wall' and 'Self Organised Learning Environment (SOLEs)' research to primary and secondary level education. The fundamental research question is 'How much can children teach themselves without adult intervention?'
Paul has secured TDA funding to develop SOLE resources for new teachers. The research activity is centred around the following questions: a) what is the role of a teacher in a SOLE? b) what strategies can be used to support teachers to develop understanding and practice of these new roles?
Paul is currently working within iLab: Learn to develop research into Self Organised Mediated Environment (SOME). This builds upon the success of the 'Skype Grannies' research, in which Professor Mitra constructed a team of retired teachers to direct student enquiry via videoconferencing and Skype calls. Paul has been successful in coordinating a £10, 000 bid from the Atkin Foundation to research the process in India and north-east schools.
Paul is working with Culturelab on the first whole-class deployment of digital tabletops in Longbenton school, researching the teacher orchestration and management of the devices.