Martina A. Doolan ::   Blog | Network | | Aggregator | Profile | Page

As a computer scientist my passion is in Human Computer Interaction, Information Systems Development and building learning communities, designed to support sociability, usability, and human computer interactivity. Central to my practice is evaluation.

In my Learning and Teaching practices I am committed to exploring/exploiting and sharing ways to motivate and engage learners for example working collaboratively using a variety of technologies i.e. Wiki (Media Wiki, Jotspot), Blogs, Podcasting, Jumpcut (video), online discussion, MLE/VLE, etc.

As part of my role working with the Blended Learning Unit I undertake staff development, promoting, disseminating and sharing practices using technologies such as Wiki, Discussion Fora and Blogs. UH staff are increasingly exploring the use of Web 2.0 technologies with their students; for example, in my own practice: the exploration, design, development, implementation and evaluation of Wiki technology i.e. Jotspot; as a tool to support personlised, collaborative and flexible learning (60,000 hits in one module, including students’ own evaluation to support a community for learning). Blogs are used for example; in my own practice for reflections on group work and in education for reflectiions to support first year teacher training. And podcasting is used for staff development, and at programme and module level including students and staff own podcasts etc.

My most recent project focuses on the tutor, learner, the learning process, the use of Wiki and alternative media i.e. videos and podcasts linked to Wiki contributions, to provide additional asynchronous, remote and personalised learning experiences in a collaborative online learning environment. Outcomes include: the relationship and balance between different collaborative tools, i.e. Wiki, Blogs, and the use of alternative media, e.g. the joint editing and presentation of collaborative work using Webcam video and podcasts. The different approaches by students which explore the use of alternative technologies to build a learning community, and insights into the ways in which the technologies help/support and hinder student learning etc.

In my spare time! I am undertaking a doctorate in education in the area of online communities and developing collaborative spaces to enhance learning.

Blended learning, Blogs, collaborative learning, community, computer supported collaborative learning, Curriculum Design, e-learning, Education, Human Computer Interaction, Learning, Online behaviour, Online communities, Online Social Policies, Podcasting, Sociability, social constructivist approaches to learning, staff development, Systems Development, Teaching, Usability, Web, Web 2.0, Wiki