29.06.2005
Dr Jonathan Dron, Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences at the University of Brighton, has won a prestigious national teaching prize in recognition of his outstanding contribution to learning and teaching.
Dr Dron is one of 50 lecturers and learning support staff in England and Northern Ireland to be selected by the Higher Education Academy to be one of its National Teaching Fellows for 2005 from a total of 187 nominations. Each new Fellow has been awarded £50,000, to be used for projects that will make a significant contribution to learning and teaching.
The Higher Education Academy awarded Dr Dron in part due to his enthusiasm. He said: "I love my job. To be paid to be a learner and to share my learning with others is a great privilege."
Dr Dron's core discipline is computing, but with a specific focus on learning technologies. He uses ideas, techniques and technologies inspired by his research to help students to become each other's teachers. Dr Dron believes in flexible assessments, giving learners choice over the style and content of their submissions. For example, 'Webmastery' students are asked to create a web-based tutorial on a subject of their choice, which is then published and shared so that all may benefit.
One student said: "The tutor was excellent, helpful and though it was a long week with overload of information, he made it an interesting, funny and easy going."
For students who increasingly need to juggle education and work, Dr Dron's virtual classroom seldom closes (although, unlike a real one, it occasionally crashes). He has been a leading academic and technical influence on the systematic development of 'Studentcentral' - the university's Managed Learning Environment. 'Studentcentral' is now used by academic staff on 90% of the university's taught modules - and its organisation and use were highly praised in the University's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Institutional Audit of May 2004.
Dr Dron will use his funding to develop a series of small, student-centred e-learning 'micro-habitats'.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Stuart Laing said: "This is the first time a member of the university has been successful in this fiercely contested annual competition. I would like to congratulate Jon and all the colleagues with whom he collaborates to deliver high quality teaching."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton,
01273 643022
