Brian Smith

National Teaching Fellow 2012 Following his successes in completing a BSc (Hons) in Organisation and Management Studies, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and a Masters in E-learning, Brian Smith has strengthened his academic career further by becoming a leading specialist in the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. His dynamic leadership and creative flair for developing pedagogical innovations include synchronous teaching, using 3D virtual worlds and mobile devices to augment student learning - topics at the centre of his doctorate studies. The advent of the Internet, mobile devices and smart-phone technologies has liberated him from his 'garage laboratory', leading to the creation of a pioneering Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Unit at Edge Hill University, where his creativity has been unleashed. Brians teaching and learning 'Apps' have had a huge influence on students, health workers in their professional on the job development, and his university colleagues. Brian has a clear rationale "to engage, interest and motivate students through authentic experiences, using technology to add value to face-to-face opportunities, which can be hard to access and limited in quality. He was, and still is, a strong proponent of planned strategies to create opportunities for deep learning. This is what Brian's students and colleagues say they get from him and why they say he is special." Brian is also a good researcher, committed to evidence-based practices, and he subjects all of his work to rigorous reflection and evaluation. This reflection, through his focus on access to learning from the workplace, led to the advent of the Mode Neutral approach, which gained influence in health teaching circles and attention from the HEFCE and the national press. A desire for a personalised offer, based on choice and matched to work circumstances and geographical location, resulted in a curriculum design and delivery which facilitates access to combinations of face-to-face, synchronous online and asynchronous ways for students to engage. Brian's Pro Vice-Chancellor said: "Brian truly puts the 'E' into technology enhanced learning in ways that only the best teachers and cutting-edge learning technologists can."