Flexible Technology-Based Higher Education for a Post-Pandemic World

Flexible Technology-Based Higher Education for a Post-Pandemic World

Dr Neil Gordon, Reader in Computer Science, University of Hull

As the world has wrestled with the challenges of coping with a pandemic, education has potentially been one of the most significant casualties. Schools and campuses closed to direct activity, and institutions had to rapidly pivot to flexible learning, utilising technology, but without preparation time. This lecture will consider some of the learning from the last two years, as well as the longer term trends in technology enhanced learning and the way that approaches such as gamification. We will consider how emerging technologies from VR and AR and the Metaverse, combined with the rise of foundational AI offer new opportunities and challenges to increase access to education across all levels and locations.

Neil is a Reader in Computer Science, a National Teaching Fellow, and a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE. He has produced a number of reports for AdvanceHE, in particular on how technology enhanced learning can enable flexible pedagogy, on the role of assessment in education, and on ways to address issues in retention and attainment in computing education. His research interests include applications of computer science to enable true technology enhanced learning, issues around sustainable development, as well as more discipline specific work on applications of computer algebra and formal methods.