Mr Philip MARSTON

Mr Philip MARSTON The University of Aberdeen Directorate of Academic Affairs Mr Philip MARSTON E-Learning Adviser work +44 (0)1224 274666 http://www.footprints-in-the-sand.org pref Centre for Learning & Teaching Room 009 University Office University of Aberdeen Regent's Walk Aberdeen AB24 3FX

E-Learning Adviser

MA MSc

Mr Philip MARSTON

Personal Details

Telephone: +44 (0)1224 274666
Email: p.marston@abdn.ac.uk
Personal website: http://www.footprints-in-the-sand.org
Address: Centre for Learning & Teaching
Room 009 University Office
University of Aberdeen
Regent's Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
hCard

Jump to:

uk.linkedin.com/in/philmarston


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Biography

I joined the Learning Technology Unit (which is now merged into the CLT) in September 2000, straight after completing an MSc in Information Technology and Intelligent Systems with the University of Aberdeen's Computing Science Department. I previously ran a community IT-Training charity after graduating with an MA in Mental Philosophy also from Aberdeen, prior to which I'd spent a number of years working in Outdoor Education doing things like management development.

Having a life long interest in Education and Technology means I feel like I'm in my ideal job!

I am working part-time towards a PhD in the field of technology enhanced learning.


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Research Interests

See below, under Current Research, for what I'm up to at the moment.

More generally I am also interested in:

  • Mobile devices and the impact of ubiquitous information and communications technology on learning & teaching in general (i.e. from BlueTooth and RFID to Smart-Phones and Portable Computers).
  • The potential role of gaming and simulation environments in higher learning & teaching (i.e. games on game consoles, webpages, 3D Virtual worlds like SecondLife through to role play and ARGs (Augmented Reality Games).
  • Appropriate use of video & multimedia in higher learning & teaching (i.e. podcasting, lecture capture, assessment, peer review and video conferencing)
  • The role research has in undergraduate teaching.

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Current Research

The focus of my PhD is on the role of play and storytelling in learning with computer games.

In summary:

Neuroscience seems to have implications in a great many areas of Games Based Learning, two particular areas I’m looking at are:
  • The Neuroscience of Play – specifically the notion of play as a primal drive to develop emotional regulation and adaptability to novelty and ambiguity.
  • The Neuroscience of Storytelling – specifically the relationship between language and embodiment and what impact that has on how we understand and use stories.
Play and Story are the major components of computer games and my hope is that a better understanding of the neuroscientific underpinnings to these, could provide a better understanding of how computer games can be used for education.

Though I'm also always keeping abreast of developments in the areas above under Research Interests.


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Collaborations

Technology Consultant in Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with North Alliance (Community Learning and Development partnership)


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Teaching Responsibilities

Current

Teaching Programme for Postgraduates and Early Career Researchers

LL5500/LL5900/LL5075 - Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning & Teaching

Previous

ED50P7/ED50P8 - Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Education - Dedicated Learning Technologist for Programme

ED1080 - Body, Mind and Nature: Learning Outdoors - Member of course team

ED50GG - Negotiated Extended Study - Course tutor

CS3021 - Communication of computing - Guest tutor

FS5007 - Digital Humanities: Contexts and Platforms - Guest tutor

SX1009/SX1509 - The Digital Society - Member of course team

SX1012 - Sustainable International Development - Member of course team

Ad-hoc

I also develop and tutor on variety of staff development workshops (Using Video in Learning & Teaching, Using Flash to add interactivity and animation to your learning materials, Using Games, Simulations & Virtual Worlds in your teaching) and various awareness-raising sessions for academic professional development in the area of learning technology.


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External Responsibilities

QAA Research Teaching Linkages enhancement theme Institutional Contact.


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Internal Responsibilities

Learning Technologist for Science Initiative (School of Education)

Video in Learning and Teaching working group

SMS in Learning and Teaching working group

School of Education representative on the CASS (College of Arts & Social Sciences) IT Working Group

QAA Research Teaching Linkages enhancement theme Institutional Contact

Curriculum Reform Research sub-committee

Generally provide consultancy in the use of technology in learning & teaching.


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Publications

Contributions to Journals

Articles

  • Gemmell, AMD., Finlayson, IG. & Marston, PG. (2010). 'First Steps Towards an Interactive Real-time Hazard Management Simulation'. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, vol 34, no. 1, pp. 39-51.
    [Online] DOI: 10.1080/03098260902982419
  • Marston, PG. & Cornelius, SC. (2010). 'Further Development of the Context Categories of a Mobile Learning Framework'. Journal of the Research Centre for Educational Technology, vol 6, no. 1, pp. 70-75.
  • Cornelius, SC. & Marston, PG. (2009). 'Towards an understanding of the virtual context in mobile learning'. Alt-J., vol 17, no. 3, pp. 161-172.
    [Online] DOI: 10.1080/09687760903247617

Special Issues

  • Marston, PG. (2011). 'Emotion, ambiguity and telling stories: The role of neuroscience in using computer games for learning'. The Psychology of Education Review, vol 35, no. 1.

Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings

Chapters

  • Cornelius, SC. & Marston, PG. (2011). 'Work-based simulations: using text messaging and the role of the virtual context'. N Pachler, C Primmer & J Seipold (eds), in: Work-based mobile learning: concepts and cases. Peter Lang Pub., pp. 249-274.
  • Cornelius, SC., Marston, PG. & Gemmell, AMD. (2011). 'SMS text messaging for real time simulations in Higher Education'. J Traxler & J Wishart (eds), in: Making Mobile Learning Work: case studies of practice. HEA ESCalate, Bristol, pp. 13-17.

Other Contributions

  • Marston, PG. (2007). 'Study tips video gallery'. M Asensio & M Cuttle (eds), in: Video active: 6 case studies of using video in learning and teaching. VideoAktiv, pp. 30-34.

Contributions to Conferences

Papers

  • Edwards, IE., Miller, H., Thomson, K., Calder, CJ. & Marston, PG. (2003). 'Virtual Estate Visit in Scotland'. Paper presented at 14th International Farm Management Congress, Perth, Australia, 10/08/03 - 15/08/03,.

Posters

  • Bowman, AS., Calder, CJ. & Marston, PG. (2002). 'Development and Implimentation of a Virtual Practical for Bio-Sciences'. Society for Experimental Biology annual conference, Swansea, United Kingdom, 8/04/02 - 12/04/02,.

Contributions to Specialist Publications

Articles

  • Perkins, J., Marston, PG. & Preston, S. (2008). 'Preparing to Teach: Don't Forget The Student Response System'. p. 3, Centre for Bioscience Bulletin.
  • Bowman, AS., Calder, CJ. & Marston, PG. (2006). 'Virtual Practicals'. p. 10, Centre for Bioscience Bulletin.

Other Contributions

  • Abrams, N. & Marston, PG. (2007). 'Audio-Visual ‘Gobbets’ for Exam Purposes'.

Non-textual Forms

Web Publications and Websites

  • Stollery, PJ. & Marston, PG., 'Hilton Soundscape: internet-based sound art'. , 2013, Web publication/site.

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