Dr. Mark Childs Receives National Teaching Fellowship for Digital Learning Innovation
Scholar at Durham University honored with prestigious National Teaching Fellowship award
Dr. Mark Childs, a Digital Learning Designer at the Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD), has been honoured with a National Teaching Fellowship. This prestigious award recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.
Dr. Childs, who has been working in online learning since 1997, is renowned for his work in higher education, focusing on digital and blended learning. His National Teaching Fellowship typically emphasises pedagogical practices that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes through innovative use of online and blended learning strategies, fostering active learning, inclusivity, and flexibility.
However, the search results do not provide any up-to-date details on Dr. Childs' National Teaching Fellowship or the precise focus of his promoted pedagogy. For the latest or detailed description, consulting the official webpage of the UK Higher Education Academy or Dr. Childs’ institutional profile would be advisable.
Dr. Childs' specialism lies in exploring ways to connect students online, with a focus on innovative technologies like virtual reality (VR). He has been at the forefront of connecting students online since the 1990s, with a particular focus on text chat supporting peer learning, and currently leads Durham's VR Education Lab Special Interest Group.
The move to online learning, according to Dr. Childs, often requires a rethink from first principles to be effective, which can be challenging to embed. He plans to use his National Teaching Fellowship to promote a specific pedagogy of online and blended learning.
Professor Alan Houston, Vice-Provost (Education) at the institution, expressed delight about Dr. Childs' award, appreciating his playful approach, enthusiasm, innovation, and academic rigor. The Fellowship is expected to lead to more people reading Dr. Childs' research and more people at Durham being aware of the support available for their teaching.
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme is the highest honor that Advance HE bestows to those working in Learning and Teaching at Universities. The awards are a platform for recognising significant input at departmental, institutional, and national levels. With this recognition, Dr. Childs joins an esteemed group of educators committed to shaping the future of higher education.
Dr. Mark Childs' National Teaching Fellowship, an esteemed honor, emphasizes his dedication to education-and-self-development through innovative digital learning, aiming for personal-growth and improved learning experiences. His work on online learning, focusing on active learning, inclusivity, and utilizing cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality, is designed to foster self-development and contribute to the broader higher education community.
