#192 – Dr. Peter Shukie on Connecting Learning with Purpose

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Welcome to the latest episode of our The Voctech Podcast: learning continued series, supported by the Ufi Voctech Trust and Ufi Ventures. You can follow the conversation using #voctechpodcast and #voctech. 

What’s in this episode?

In this week’s episode we throwback to a recording with Dr. Peter Shukie, Academic Group Leader, Creative and Digital at University Centre Blackburn College. Peter was the 2019 National Winner of the Festival of Learning Social Impact award, and in this episode, we talk about connecting learning with purpose. This episode is for anyone interested in the evolution of MOOCs and the return to smaller cohorts of online learners affecting change in real-life actions. Plus, how IBM and UCL are collaborating on relieving loneliness during social isolation. 

Though this episode was recorded last year, many of us will be able to pick out the similarities in what is happening today as we continue to connect online to work, play and provide meaning to our lives in quarantine, even if the days of outdoor lectures are somewhat limited at the present time.

People

Sophie Bailey is the Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast | Twitter: @podcastedtech

Sophie is the founder of the iTunes new and noteworthy, The Edtech Podcast. The mission of The Edtech Podcast is to improve the dialogue between ‘ed’ and ‘tech’ for better innovation, through storytelling. The podcast is downloaded 2000+ times a week, from over 145 countries with the UK, US & Aus in the top 3. Sophie is a mentor and advisor within the edtech community. If she’s not interviewing a University Lecturer, School Leader, Ex-Angry Bird, NGO, or Investor about education innovation, she’s chasing her son around the park or binge-reading Homo Deus.  

Dr. Peter Shukie, Academic Group Leader, Creative and Digital, University Centre at Blackburn College | Twitter: @ShukieOne

Dr. Peter Shukie’s academic role includes the design and delivery of modules in Education Studies around the use of technology in teaching and learning.  He led on the design of a series of modules listed in the JISC Exemplar Case Studies for Higher Education with a focus on TEL and student engagement.  Peter’s research interests include Deleuzo-Guattarian approaches to education, Popular Education, Critical Theory, technology and community engagement, Action Research and online/ blended learning.  Developing student focused activities and experiential approaches to academic work inform his pedagogy with a particular focus on emergent learning theories. He teaches research modules and supervises dissertations at Level 5 and 6 on the Education Studies programme and on the Coaching & Mentoring degree at UCBC.

Peter’s current research includes the development of the Community Open Online Courses (COOCs) platform that explores the ways web based technologies can shape new approaches to learning in, and beyond, institutions.

Peter has previous experience in management and lectureships in Adult Literacy and Teacher Training. 

John McNamara, Senior Inventor and IBM UK University Program Leader, IBM Hursley | Twitter: @j0nnymac

John is a Senior Inventor, Research Fellow, Impact Fellow and currently provides technical leadership for the IBM Hursley Innovation Centre. John has a diverse background that includes consultancy, performance, service & product delivery, all underpinned by a passion for innovation. Most recently his work leading the Innovation Centre technologist team has allowed him to combine these interests in order to maximise the potential of new technology while solving real problems. John has overseen the delivery of many cognitive cloud-based solutions and understands how to combine technologies to quickly provide value for customers. John is an active inventor with an invention portfolio spanning mobile, A.I, messaging, integration and predictive analytics.

 Quotes from this episode

References from this week’s episode

• Peter Shukie – LinkedIn
• Peter Shukie – Twitter
• Peter Shukie – blog
• University Centre Blackburn College – website, homepage
• Blackburn College – Twitter
• Community Open Online Courses (COOCs) – website, homepage
• Comprehensive School – explanation
• Stuart Hall and the Rise of Cultural Studies – The New Yorker article 2017
• Barbican Centre – website, homepage
• MOOCs – explanation
• The Rise of MOOCs by Stephen Downes – article 2012
• Connectivism (Siemens, Downes) – via Learning Theories
• ‘Connectivism’ and Connective Knowledge – article via HuffPost, 2011
• Blue Chip – explanation
• Coursera – website
• AI – explanation
• Data Mining – explanation
• Future Learn – website
• Popular Education – further reading
• Ethics Explainer: Post-Humanism – article via Ethics Centre
• The Power of Community Open Online Courses – Connected Learning Alliance
• R&D – explanation
• The essential components of a successful L&D strategy – McKinsey article
• Community College, USA – explanation
• Apprenticeship: learning by doing, teaching in the digital age – further reading
• Goldsmiths – website, homepage
• Populism – explanation
• Extinction Rebellion – website, homepage
• John McNamara, IBM Hursley – LinkedIn
• John McNamara, IBM – Twitter
• University College London and IBM Watson: Reducing isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic – Computer Weekly article
• IBM Works With UCL to Tackle Loneliness Through Digital Technologies – Digit article
• Loneliness and aging: Navigating an enduring crisis – IBM article
• Loneliness and aging: Navigating how business and government can address an enduring crisis – IBM Research Insights Full report
• Dr. Dean Mohamedally – Twitter
• UCL students develop projects using Watson Technologies on IBM Cloud to address challenges posed by COVID -19 – IBM Newsroom Story

Thank you to the Ufi Voctech Trust & Ufi Ventures

The Voctech Podcast Series is produced by The Edtech Podcast and supported by Ufi Voctech Trust and Ufi Ventures.

Our aim is to help improve vocational skills in the UK’s workforce by funding digital solutions for vocational learning. We only fund activity that is ‘scalable’ through technology, ie projects that use digital methods to widen access to vocational learning. While digital learning solutions are potentially open to all, we are especially keen to assist digital projects which involve post-school age vocational learners that have failed to be engaged by the education system. Contact: kate.atha@ufi.co.uk, Head of Communications, Ufi Voctech Trust.

Ufi Ventures offers early-stage ventures finance and support that draws on the depth of Ufi’s experience in developing digital technologies for skills needed for work. We can invest from £150,000 up to £1m as equity or debt into early-stage companies who share our mission and meet our investment criteria. We are keen to collaborate and co-invest with other value-aligned investors interested in the opportunity presented by the changing nature of work and skills. Contact: richard.male@ufi.co.uk

Tell us where you are listening in from

We’d love to hear about innovative technology or approaches you are developing or using in adult education. Leave your stories in the comments below. Alternately, record a quick free voicemail via speakpipe for inclusion in the next episode. Finally, you can post your thoughts or follow-on links via twitter @podcastedtech or via The Edtech Podcast Facebook page.