Peter is an academic member of staff with a college-wide role tasked with the development, use and application of instructional design (pedagogical models or patterns) in the design of courses, learning resources, activities and experiences. His academic interests are around developing technology-enhanced teaching and learning, e-learning, blended learning, distance learning and mobile learning.
He is responsible for designing new learning developments for the college and works for Prof. Giles Perryer (Academic Lead for E-learning) and closely with the MDS Educational Technology Team.
Though Peter originally studied maths at Sussex University his professional career started as a disability and assistive technology researcher, which lead on to a national role with the HEA, JISC TechDis in practitioner action-research and teaching across the UK. In addition he has also provided consultancy to many universities and colleges, CETIS, BECTA, British Standards Institute, government departments, commercial providers and charities.
He has worked in vocational degree development and planning as part of a HEFCE-funded life-long learning network and focused on curriculum information management and online information and guidance.
Peter has taught commercially across the UK in a broad range of subjects including education (training, teaching & learning), technology (design, development & application) and human factors (inc. disability, accessibility & usability). Peter has taught disability officers, assistive technologists and OTs, learning technologists and academic staff.
More recently Peter has been working on genetics and genomics education via e-learning within the NHS before returning to the University of Birmingham.
Peter’s past research has mainly focused on ‘practitioner’ action research and has covered a number of topics including:
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The use of metadata (computer readable information) in the description of learner characteristics and resource accessibility for students with disabilities
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The use of mobile devices for learning and as an assistive technology
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The accessibility and usability of websites and e-learning platforms
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The design of ‘dyslexia friendly’ teaching materials
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Inclusive curriculum design in Higher Education
Peter's current educational research includes:
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The educational utility and efficacy of virtual chemistry for pharmacy - STEM Project
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The use of high fidelity simulation for Hospital Orientation in Year 3 MBChB - Pilot project
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'Reasonable adjus tments' in medical education