Online teacher training videos win Westminster academic top
educational award
24 October 2008
Innovative online multimedia training videos for teachers and
lecturers have won University of Westminster academic Russell
Stannard a major educational award.
Mr Stannard, a principal lecturer at the University’s
Harrow School of Computer Science,
received the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding
Initiatives in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) last
night at a ceremony at London’s Marriot Hotel.
The award was for his website,
www.teachertrainingvideos.com,
which provides simple video walkthrough guides of computer
programmes that educators can use to enhance their teaching skills.
The website, which has over 10,000 hits a month from teachers and
lecturers from around the world, features videos on how to use
podcasting, RSS Feeds, Youtube and blogging, among many
others.
Ann Mroz, editor of the Times Higher
Education, said: “Russell Stannard’s website and video
tutorials have demonstrated a praiseworthy commitment to open
access for educational content. His website has proved popular with
education providers and public because of his willingness to work
together with them and respond to a need for interactive
innovations that have real impact.”
He has also pioneered the use of video marking for his students,
which involves recording his corrections and comments on student
work using screen capture software, a video of which can then be
watched by the student for in-depth feedback.
Mr Stannard said: “I’m delighted to win this award. It’s incredible
that so many educators from around the world are using the site to
develop their skills, and I’m looking forward to helping many more
in the future.”
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoffrey Petts welcomed the
award, saying: “Russell's work has helped thousands of academics
deliver innovative teaching, both inside the University and across
the country, and I’m delighted that he has been recognised for the
huge amount of work he has put in to the project.”
The University’s scholarships department was also recognised for
its achievements in the field of student financial assistance at
the awards. The department, which gives over £4 million every year
to students from around the world – the highest in the UK – was
highly commended in the Outstanding Student Financial Support
Package category.
ENDS
Notes:
1. Mr Stannard and his colleague Savraj Matharu have also set up a
sister website teaching students and members of the public how to
use multimedia packages like Flash, Director and Photoshop.
www.multimediatrainingvideos.com
already receives over 60,000 hits per month during term
time.
2. For more information, please contact Rob Watson, media relations
officer, on 020 7911 5792 or email r.watson@westminster.ac.uk