...We are based in Plymouth, which is less than an hours flight...
...or three and a half hours train journey away from London...
circle-of-excellence
who we are,
where we
can be found, and how to get in touch with us...
For
many years, Pete has lectured on undergraduate and staff development
courses, and presented the results of research at many places of Higher
Education, including: (i)
The Open University, (ii) Kingston University Business School,
(iii) Plymouth University's Educational Development Unit, and (iv)
The Professional Development Unit at The College of St Mark &
St John.
Pete has also contributed to further education and vocational training courses at: (v) The College of St Mark & St John's Continuing Vocational Education Training Unit, and (vi) Kingston College's Staff Development Unit.
But before all of that...
Back in the early 1980s, Pete was an engineer with British Telecom, where he developed an interest in Sport Psychology and Exercise Physiology. Hence, in 1985 Pete returned to college to study for a degree in Sports Science and Dance, where he specialised in the application of Sport Psychology to the performance of physical theatre...his main interests at the time being: to contribute to a small theatre performance group, sound engineering for the performances of friends, and practicing a Brazilian martial art called Capoeira.
After his degree, Pete decided that he needed to become computer-literate, and went on to complete an M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence at Kingston University. At Kingston, he developed a proto-type role-play program to help focus group discussion. This program intrigued a number of sponsors, and so after his M.Sc. Pete worked part-time for Kingston College, refining the prototype in liaison with two well-known UK health education charities: ACET and Kaleidoscope.
Interested in the potential application of Knowledge Engineering techniques in education, Pete was encouraged to study for a Ph.D. in Educational Technology at the Institute of Educational Technology - part of the Open University. And in 1993, the concept sorting software that he developed, as a part of his doctoral studies, won second place in the National Business Software Challenge, run by the FT Software at Work, CA Associates and the British Computer Society.
Fast forwarding to today...
Currently, Pete is working as a Senior Lecturer in Information Technology in the Computing and Information Technology teaching team, at The College of St Mark & St John. Here, he specialises in subjects where there is a crossover between IT and Psychology. More specifically, he teaches a number of foundational courses plus advanced courses related to Artificial Intelligence, Computer-Enhanced Coaching and Project Planning.
Being interersted in the 'connections' between technology and the human mind...
...Over the last five years, Pete has been trained to an advanced level in the following 'techniques': (i) Neuro-Linguistic Programming, (ii) Design Human Engineering, (iii) Ericksonian Hypnosis, and (iv) Photoreading...
...He has also completed a number of introductory courses in Applied Systematic Kinesiology, which is a form of complementary medicine.
All of which have added to the eclectic mix of influences that have formed Pete's own view of the human mind, and how best to use technology to 'enhance it'.
As a result...
In addition to his teaching duties, Pete has been involved in a good deal of research and development work over the course of the last few years. And in this work, he has found that his main skills relate to the design and development of Innovative Educational Technologies.
For example, as a result of his wide-ranging interests in different kinds of cognitive technologies, over the past six years Pete has been awarded: (i) numerous small research grants by his college, (ii) a £40,000 grant from the European Union Social Fund, and (iii) was the College of St Mark & St John candidate for a 2001 Fellowship from the UK Institute of Learning and Teaching.
Finally, Pete's main current focus is working with colleagues within The College of St Mark & St John to establish the first InnovationsLab in the South West...
E-mail address:
...some views of the south west, in general...
...and of Plymouth, in particular...
...which includes a number of vibrant and expanding academic communities...
...(from left to right) Exeter University, the College of St Mark & St John,
and Plymouth University, combined with the Peninsula Medical School...
...local inspiration from both the past and the present...
...(from
left to right) the medieval streets of the Barbican from which many explorers
set sail,
the Mayflowers steps from which the Pilgrim Fathers embarked to colonise
America,
Smeatons tower which was a Victorian Engineering triumph, now preserved
ashore,
the modern National Marine Aquarium, which is fast acquiring an international
repute...
OR
...if you need more 'explosive' motivation...
...gain
inspiration from the yearly National Firework Competition...
(more pictrures at http://www.pyro-pictures.com)