DELTA: A series of interesting events

After finally completing the last of the three DELTA modules this summer, I have decided to share my experiences through a series of blog posts. These have been written at various stages throughout the years I took to complete the DELTA and have since been edited as the exhaustion and emotion has worn off! You……

DELTA: An Unexpected Journey

I had been told the DELTA was an intense and difficult process but little did I know… In my interview for my DELTA, I was told I was ‘too academic’ and ‘hadn’t travelled enough’ to have the sufficient knowledge to complete the course. I hadn’t been to Thailand or Portugal to teach English after my……

Reflections from online teaching #2

Task sheets. You’re in a seminar. You give instructions to your students in their groups to discuss the paper they read over the week. They should discuss the methodology, the results, and how the paper comments on what was discussed in the lecture. The students start talking, you start milling about, keeping an eye on……

Reflections from online teaching #1

At the advent of the first lockdown (how I wish I didn’t need that adjective) many of us were thrown from the comfort of our classrooms to the awkward box of our camera on an online platforms. Now, with the continuing importance of providing accessible and inclusive learning environments, we are gradually seeing a shift from the scramble of teaching online to the provision of pedagogically-supported, remote learning environments.

The rise of the ‘have-done’ list

So, if you’re sitting on an uncomfortable dining chair, at a breakfast bar, or on the sofa while you’re children climb over you, perhaps reduce the pressure of your once loved to-do list and consider the comfort of a have-done list. Remember, what you’re doing is an achievement and you should be proud of yourself for achieving, whatever it is. 

3MT at the University of Greenwich

So the University of Greenwich 3MT competition is coming around for another year. For any PhD students thinking of getting involved, here is a short review of my experience. A few years back in a PhD rep meeting we were discussing events we could run to create a better environment for PhD students to socialise……

It’s like running on a treadmill, you’re making progress but not going anywhere

…finally I could see the end and I had a goal. And, as I’m so organised, I was naively confident that I could meet this. Come on, I had four chapters written, half way through my fifth and my data was collected, and (half) analysed. Easy. No?

Why it was cheaper to buy a bike than use the Santander bike scheme.

Mid-June, rush-hour. The tube is roasting, my face is dangerously close to a man’s armpit, I can’t reach my headphones because someone is pressed up against my bag and I thought “there’s got to be a better way”. That morning, outside the university building, I saw a smiling gentleman push his Santander bike into the……

Advance HE Teaching & Learning Conference 2018

Despite only being able to attend 1 day of the 3 day Advance HE Teaching & Learning Conference 2018, I have once again been inspired and encouraged by the variety of new, re-creation of old and improvement of current pedagogies. Worried I would be one of the few that did not have a background in……

Two legged animals at the zoo

For the second year running, ZSL London Zoo opened its gates after dark to let us all peer at the animals while they put on their night caps and as the nocturnals sleepily awake as if they’ve been on an all-nighter the night before. The over 18’s event was filled with festival style food stores,……