Ken

Professional background and current role

My main job role is IT Manager for a Multi-Academy Trust at HAT, working there since 2004. My secondary job role is Associate Lecturer at The Open University, working there since 2011 - delivering the TM254 (previously the M258 and the TM128). Both roles are in the education sector, with the primary role supporting education and secondary role delivering education. Before those two roles, I used to work at the local college/university campus as an IT Technician. All together I have over 17 years working in the education sector.

In relation to education, I have done the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector level 4 in 2011, the FHEA from AdvanceHE in 2018, the Postgraduate Certification in Online and Distance Education with the H880 Technology-enhanced learning: foundations and futures in 2020, and currently doing the H817 Openness and Innovation in eLearning in order to complete my MA Open (combined studies in Education and Technology). All relating to teaching/delivering education.

What am I? A student, an educator, and a professional.

Why I found the project interesting

I actually find this project (Using digital storytelling to explore social/cultural/ethical dilemmas) interesting, mainly due to my own experiences. Being both mixed race, as well as being educated and growing up on 3 different continents in the late 70's, 80's and 90's, I've seen/experienced the digital divide that exists between different countries (including schools that do not have electricity compared to schools that are worried about the speed of their internet connection). I've seen/experienced different cultural issues that come from social differences (in general the UK is more reserved than say the Americans or the Filipinos), cultural differences (language barriers, or the use of the same language but in a different context/meaning), as well as racism and xenophobia.

And at the same time, I have never done digital storytelling, so this has piqued my interest and has convinced me to pick this project.

How this project maps to the context I’ve described

Having experienced both privilege and disadvantage over the years from:

1. Not knowing the local language and not having enough food in Asia to working/studying with my main language (English) and eating whatever/whenever I like.

2. From going to schools with no to very little electricity supply (Asia) to Schools where there are computers and mobile devices used in practically every lesson (UK).

3. Experiencing racism from being too Asian to experiencing racism from being too white.

To help bring awareness about these issues like these to others, to either help with their own situation or to help others understand what others go through. After all a smart person learns from their own experiences, while a wise person learns from other peoples experiences.