Profile information
I have been working in the Educational Technology field within Higher Education for nine years. A big part of my job is finding new and innovative ways of integrating technology into current teaching and learning methodology. This can include assisting academic staff with Virtual Learning Environments/Learning Management Systems (Blackboard & Moodle), implementing specific software packages, maximising current technologies and championing new ones such as mobile devices. I find this profession both riveting and rewarding. I really enjoy life on the cutting edge, but I also enjoy being able to help my clients achieve small and meaningful improvements; sometimes that makes all the difference.
- First name: Fiona
- Last name: Macneill
- Email address: F.Macneill@brighton.ac.uk
- Blog address: http://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/fjm15
Social media accounts
- Twitter: @fmacneill
My Work Blog RSS
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COVID-19 three months in: what have we learnt?
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UX Camp Brighton 2018: Jobs-To-Be-Done-(R) #uxcb18
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Finishing touches– Eval pt 2
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Striving for accessibility– Eval pt 1
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The weekend of doom
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Charty McCharterson
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Accessibility and responsive bits
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On the importance of self-discipline
Education history
User Experience Design (MSc) at University of Brighton
February 2015 - November 2018Teaching in Higher Education (Two day course) at University of Brighton
July 2013The topics considered on the course included: • the aims of higher education • student approaches to learning • the characteristics of effective learning environments • planning and preparing effective teaching/learning sessions • effective support of student learning • the principles of assessment, and its role in learning and teaching • the evaluation of teaching and identification of aspects for further professional development
Mini Masters in Volunteer Management (Post-graduate certificate) at Center for Business Excellence, University of St. Thomas
June 2008BA(hons) Fine Art at Kent Institute of Art and Design now University of the Creative Arts at Canterbury
2002 - 2005First Class honours with commendation
Address: CanterburyArt and Design Foundation Studies (Advanced Certificate) at Borders College
2001 - 2002Employment history
Learning Technologies Adviser at University of Brighton
February 2013 - PresentCore skills and specialisms: University web applications for support of learning and teaching including: studentcentral, Turnitin, studentfolio, PollEverywhere, ConnectTxt, mobile apps, Camtasia Relay and others Advising: • Technologies in support of the blended learning policies • Teaching resource creation and use of digital media • Development of student assignments involving technology • Technology workflow assessments and identification of potential efficiencies • Contemporary developments in educational technologies
Address: Falmer Library, Village Way Brighton BN1 9PHAcademic Technologist at Carleton College
July 2009 - January 2013Support of information technology needs for the arts, archeology, educational studies and physical education. Partnering with faculty to integrate technology into college pedagogy. Investigating new technologies and offering practical classroom and hands-on support for faculty and students.
Address: One North College Street, Northfield, MN, U.S.A.Manager of Volunteer Programs at The Soap Factory (art gallery)
February 2007 - June 2009Recruitment and management of a volunteer corps of 120 volunteers. Assisted artists through technical implementation of audio/visual resources for exhibitions. Obtained donations from local businesses and secured grants from awarding foundations.
Address: 514 Second St SE Minneapolis MNLead Curator at Artery 24, 2008, 2009, Artery Twentyten
2008 - 2010Created the event and concept. Large-scale project management over twenty-four hour period, implementation of a vast array of audio-visual technologies in a real-time situation. Public relations and press contact. Design, web site maintenance, flash animation development, page layout and publication.
Address: Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.Freelance/Artistic at Self-employed
2005Drawing, book illustration, exhibitions, multimedia (video, sound, new media), art criticism, graphic design and finishing, web design and consultation. Live performance: dance and theatrical works both for own work and for others.
Audio-Visual Internship at The Soap Factory (art gallery)
January 2006 - January 2007Management, implementation and repair of audio-visual equipment, one-on-one artists assistance, recommendations, practical construction assistance.
Address: 514 Second St SE Minneapolis MNBooks and publications
Smart Learning: Teaching and learning with smartphones and tablets in post-compulsory education
01/04/15Wrote the chapter, "Approaching apps for learning, teaching and research". P. 238 Introduction - Excerpt: "This chapter looks at discovery techniques and strategies for approaching the use of apps in support of learning, teaching and research. Example scenarios are included to help illustrate situations where apps can solve a problem or augment existing teaching practice. This chapter has a pragmatic tone and is based upon my own experience working with apps and smart devices in higher education for over five years. Your own path of discovery with your device will be granular and accumulative and it is my hope that the suggested strategies outlined herein will help you to make the most of the functionality afforded by apps and will give you the confidence to expand upon your current use of your smart device."
Changing landscapes: The challenges of IT and digital skills training in the changing HE landscape
16/01/14Title: App swap breakfasts: pedagogy, mobile devices and learning discourse over breakfast Abstract: Use of mobile technology at the University of Brighton has increased significantly in recent years. Many Schools are providing staff with mobile devices and, at the same time, conducting a number of initiatives exploring the use of mobile devices in learning and teaching. With a palpable desire to capture this undercurrent of enthusiasm, the eLearning team were keen to provide a stimulating forum whereby people could meet in a relaxed, café environment, to share ideas and experiences, regardless of expertise and without the restraints of a rigid format. The App Swap Breakfasts met the criteria we were looking for.
Student Research Assistants - Introducing Students to the Practice of Humanities Research
October 2012Available here: http://apps.carleton.edu/humanities/student_research
Strengthening Connections/Devising Designs: Forging New Connections through Collaborative Processes
10/06/11Design/Instructional Design Juried Paper Design Principles and Practices Journal Publication Date: 10/06/11 Abstract: http://ijg.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.154/prod.562
ALT Award Entry Video 2016
Certifications, accreditations and awards
Excellence in Facilitating and Empowering Learning Award - Individual Award
June 2019
Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Brighton.
Learning Technologist of the Year Awards - Highly Commended Individual Award
September 2016
Award information, awarded for achievements in the Learning Technologies field: https://altc.alt.ac.uk/2016/awards/awards-finalists-and-community-choice-voting/ Video about my work, submitted to support my application: https://youtu.be/A0rS_RWGf50
Joint award: Excellence in Facilitating and Empowering Learning
11/06/14Awarded by Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Brighton
Runner-up award UCISA Digital Skills and Development Group Changing Landscapes Case Study
16/01/14Reeves & Nayland Dissertation Prize
09/07/05The Grovesnor Award for Excellence in Art & Design
01/06/02Professional memberships
UCISA Digital Capababilities group member
2015Ongoing committee work and event Gamification design as outlined below. As part of the Spotlight on digital capabilities event Fiona MacNeill and Farzana Latif (University of Sheffield) revisited the idea of gamifying the conference proceedings. The definition of Gamification, that inspired the 2016 GameMakers was coined by Andrzej Marczewski, 2015, “the use of game design metaphors to create more game-like and engaging experiences” (p.11). Experience is key here, we aimed to provide a conference wide game that: - augmented the proceedings, without distracting; - allowed participants to create, not only consume; - provided networking, not working; - and embodied the values and themes that UCISA is working on every day. Game instructions: https://www.ucisa.ac.uk/-/media/groups/dcg/digcap-play-track-instructions.ashx?la=en Game webinar: https://www.ucisa.ac.uk/groups/dcg/Events/2016/digcaps/game_launch
Minnesota Instructional Technologists (MinIT)
2009 - 2013Work skills
Primary Tools and Proficiencies
Blackboard, Moodle, Wordpress (network administration and frontend development), Adobe Creative Suite, html5, css3, ECMAScript/JavaScript (profficient), R/RStudio, Logic Studio Pro Tools, Final Cut, Trimble Sketchup Pro, Linux, Mac OS command line
UoB Specific Tools
Blackboard (Studentcentral), Turnitin, Mahara, Wordpress/CampusPress, R/RStudio, PollEverywhere, Nearpod, mobile apps