Contextual Statement
I am a member of the Digital Education Futures team, within the Digital Education team at UCL. Since joining the team I have predominantly been working on two projects: Exploring Learning Analytics and Online Course Development for Research IT Services (RITS).
For the Exploring Learning Analytics project I investigated the potential data sources that could be used for a UCL learning analytics implementation, what that data tells us about the learner and learning, and considered the direction UCL might take with learning analytics. This project concluded in Spring 2018.
I currently working on a UKAT mentored research project exploring the alignment of learning analytics and student wellbeing, nominally 1 day per week, and working with colleagues across the institution to enhance the student learning experience.
30% of my week is spent working with RITS to develop online versions of popular face-to-face training courses. These are being developed as Open Educational Resources (OER) using open source tools.
This is my third role within Information Services Division. Joining initially as an IT Trainer in January 2013, I was then seconded to Informaton Security from January 2015 to October 2016, it was upon my return to the Digital Education team that I took up my current role.
Prior to joining UCL I had been employed as a Secondary ICT Teacher from June 2004 to 31st December 2012. During that time I taught in 3 very different secondary schools, teaching across all years from Yr7 to Yr13.
In addition I am a STEM Ambassador, Software Carpentry Instructor and completed Mozilla Open Leadership training in Autumn 2017 (part of cohort 4).
I obtained Fellowship of the HEA in 2017 having previously obtained Associate Fellowship in 2015. For me, CMALT is complementary to my HEA Fellowship and will enable me to showcase my specialist knowledge and gain accreditation for my work with Learning Technologies.
Confirmation
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge, the statements and evidence included in this submission accurately describe my practice and are drawn from my own work, with the input and support of others duly and clearly recognised.
Samantha Ahern, 30th January 2019
Evidence
Core Area 1: Operational Issues
a) An understanding of the constraints and benefits of different technologies
b) Technical knowledge and ability in the use of learning technology
Core Area 2: Teaching, learning and/or assessment practices
Core Area 3: The Wider Context
Core Area 4: Communication and working with others
Future Plans
As I am a member of the Digital Education Developments team part of my role is to keep up to date with key issues and technologies for learning and teaching. I will continue to attend events arranged by Jisc and ALT that relate to the projects I work on and my areas of interest. This includes attending BETT to get an overview of current trends.
My target for the coming year is to attend more M25 group meetings,in particular the M25 reading group meetings. This would enable me to develop a greater understanding of the learning technology eco-systems used by other institutions and develop an awareness of wider issues relating to learning technologies.
Regarding specific professional development activities, these will predominantly be around assertiveness and self-confidence, as they are the main areas I struggle with. In addition, I would be working towards to Senior Fellowship of the HEA.