Dr James McDowell
Dr James McDowell is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and a Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT), with over 25 years’ experience of working in the UK Higher Education sector. James holds a first degree in Philosophy and five postgraduate qualifications, with a PhD in Educational Research, an MSc in Information Technology, an MA in Philosophy, a PGCHE teaching qualification, and a PGCHE in Research Supervision.
Dr McDowell is a Senior Lecturer in Learning and Teaching Enhancement within our Centre for Collaborative Learning, where he is a member of the team delivering our institutional Teaching Observation Scheme.
A researcher-practitioner with a mixed methods approach to the enhancement of teaching and learning, Dr McDowell’s research interests encompass a range of areas, including the uses of video in assessment and feedback, inclusivity and the experience of learners affected by specific learning difficulties such as Asperger’s Syndrome and dyslexia, and the emergence of novel input-output devices such as the brain-computer interface. Dr McDowell would be happy to receive expressions of interest in doctoral supervision from anyone wishing to pursue postgraduate research in these areas.
James has extensive experience of all aspects of the student journey, having developed, taught and provided leadership on a range of Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught programmes throughout his career. Dr McDowell also has a successful track record of supporting and mentoring academic colleagues in the enhancement of learning and teaching, of award-winning innovation in the field of technology-enhanced learning, of supervision and examination of research degrees, and of pedagogic research outputs in conference proceedings, academic journals and peer-reviewed book chapters.
- PhD e-Research and Technology-Enhanced Learning, Lancaster University, 2014
- PGCHE (Teaching), University of Huddersfield, 2015
- PGCHE (Research Supervision, University of Huddersfield, 2013
- MSc Information Technology, University of Teesside, 1996
- MA Philosophy, Lancaster University, 1990
- BA (Hons) Philosophy, Bangor University, 1989
- ALT-Epigeum Award for Most Effective Use of Video, 2011
- Award for Excellence in Assessment and Feedback, 2012
- Teaching and Learning
- Technology-Enhanced Learning
- Assessment and Feedback
- Dyslexia
- Asperger's Syndrome
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
- Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT)
As a researcher-practitioner in the field of TEL, Dr McDowell's research has concentrated on the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a range of interventions intended to enhance the student experience. This has had a particular focus on using technology to promote inclusivity within teaching and learning.
James has conducted research into areas including the use of computer-mediated communications to facilitate participation in group work for learners affected by Asperger’s Syndrome, and the use of video to support engagement in learning, assessment and feedback for learners affected by dyslexia or an autistic spectrum condition.
Dr McDowell also worked directly with students affected by significant aural impairment to develop systems designed to enable the integration of BSL within video-based assessment activities, while supervising postgraduate research which developed novel and innovative solutions in the area of spatial orientation for those affected by visual impairment, and which explored the use of games-based learning approaches to help children affected by an autistic spectrum condition overcome sensory difficulties.
Use the links below to view their profiles:
- Centre for Technology-Enhanced Learning, Lancaster University
- UoHTube (2010-11)
- VERiFy (2010-11)
- Vineyard (2011)
- ASOVI (2012-13)
- ReVERiFy (2012-14)
- C-Ment (2013-15)
- CMALT Mentoring
- SOLSTICE & CLT Conference, Edge Hill University, 2017
- ALT-C 2015, University of Manchester, 2015
- Inspire Conference, University of Huddersfield, 2015
- Second International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, 2014
- ALT-C 2013, University of Nottingham, 2013
- ALT-C 2012, University of Manchester, 2012
- British Educational Research Association Conference, University of Manchester, 2012
- International Blended Learning Conference, University of Hertfordshire, 2012
- ALT-C 2011, University of Leeds, 2011
- British Educational Research Association Conference, Institute of Education, London, 2011
- SOLSTICE Conference, Edge Hill University, 2011
- SOLSTICE Conference, Edge Hill University, 2010
- Addressing Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Conference, Edge Hill University, 2010
- Learning Futures Festival, University of Leicester, 2010
Email: Email:Dr James McDowell
Use the links below to view their profiles: