Teaching Fellow
work
+44 (0)1224 273878
work
fax
+44 (0) 1224 273 422
pref
n.beacham@abdn.ac.uk
Personal web pages at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~edu196
pref
Room 214
Department of Computing Science
Meston Building
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3UE
+44 (0) 1224 273 878
Teaching Fellow
BSc. MSc. PhD. CEng. MBCS. CITP. CSci. FHEA
|
|
Personal Details
|
||||||||||||
Jump to:
Biography
Dr Beacham is a Teaching Fellow within the Department of Computing Sciences. Previous to this he was a Research Fellow for the Inclusive Practice Project within the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen for 3 years. He has over 15 years experience carrying out research into the design, implementation and evaluation of e-learning systems and user interfaces of educational technologies.
He began his research career working as a Research Assistant for the Teesside Business School researching the development and use of intelligent tutoring systems for educating trainee accountants. He then went on the work for the Geography Department at the University of Leicester developing and research e-learning systems for Geographers. He then worked for nine years for Loughborough University in a number of departments developing and research e-learning systems as part of undergraduate, postgraduate and continue professional development programmes, until moving to his current post at the University of Aberdeen.
He has particular expertise in Human-Computer Interaction, Assistive Technologies, and Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. His research interests include the development of E-Pedagogies for Inclusion. He has a BSc in Computer Science, an MSc in Human Computer Interaction, and has completed a PhD on the subject of Distributed Performance Support Systems. He has published numerous papers about his research within international peer-reviewed journals and at conferences.
^ top
Research Interests
Dr Beacham's research interests include:
- Computer Science Education and Human-Computer Interaction aspects of E-learning
- E-Pedagogies for Inclusion, Digital Inclusion within Schools, Colleges and Higher Education
- Specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia) and assistive technologies
- Distributed Performance Support Systems and Computer-Based Training
^ top
Current Research
Dr Beacham is currently investigating student teachers beliefs and attitudes towards inclusive education and practice as part of the project on inclusive practice. In parallel to this work he is studying NQTs' e-pedagogies for inclusion. Both streams of work provide ongoing findings for informing future policy and practice in the areas of inclusive education and digital inclusion.
^ top
Collaborations
Dr Beacham is currently working with the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre ESCalate.
He is a Research Fellow within the Centre for Sustainable International Development and a member of the PICTAL Research Group within the University of Aberdeen.
^ top
Research Grants
Dr Beacham was awarded a grant of the project 'Developing NQTs E-Pedagogies for Inclusion' which is a partnership between the PICTAL research group, Inclusive Practice project and the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre ESCalate.
^ top
Teaching Responsibilities
Dr Beacham is currently teaching on the following courses:
- Web Application Development (CS1019: undergraduate and CS1519: undergraduate)
- Web Technology (CS1518: undergraduate and CS5548: postgraduate)
- Advanced Web Application Development (CS2012: undergraduate and CS2512: undergraduate)
- Data Management (CS2008: undergraduate)
- Introduction to Database Systems (CS5035: postgraduate)
- Human Computer Interaction (CS2506: undergraduate and CS5541: postgraduate)
- Sofware Engineering: Principles and Practice (CS3015: undergraduate)
- Systems Analysis and Design (CS5037: postgraduate)
- Software Portfolio Management - Distance Learning (CS5572: postgraduate)
Dr Beacham also currently supervisors student projects:
- Software Engineering - Principles and Practice Projects (CS3015: undergraduate)
- Single Honours Computing Projects (CS4526: undergraduate)
- MSc in Information Technology (CS5942: postgraduate)
- Advanced MSc Projects (CS5950: postgraduate)
- Business and Industry Applications of IT (CS3901: undergraduate)
Past responsibles for teaching included:
- Tools for Science (TS1002: undergraduate)
- Information Technology (CS1017: undergraduate)
- Advanced Web Application Development (CS2509: undergraduate)
- Software Quality Assurance and Control Technology (CS5569: postgraduate)
^ top
External Responsibilities
Dr Beacham is one of the main authors and developers of DyslexSim – A pack of photocopiable materials for raising awareness about dyslexia which includes activities and a simulation of visual difficulties associated with dyslexia on CD ROM. (on sale through iANSYST Ltd. from March 2005).
He is also one of the main authors and developers of Dyscalculium – A screening tool for adults with dyscalculia (https://shop.tribalgroup.co.uk/vmchk/Assessment-screening/DyscalculiUM.html).
He is a referee for the peer-reviewed Journal of Interactive Learning Research (http://www.aace.org/pubs/jilr/default.htm) published by AACE.
^ top
Admin Responsibilities
Dr Beacham is the Director for Postgraduate Teaching within the Department of Computing Science. His duties include:
- chair of the departmental Staff-Student Laison Committee
- member of the College PG Committee
- member of the College Web Strategy Group
He is the course coordinator for the following courses:
- Web Technology (CS1517 and CS5574)
- Web Application Development (CS2012 and CS2512)
- Data Management (CS2008)
- Introduction to Database Systems (CS5035)
- Systems Analysis and Design (CS5037)
- Advanced MSc Project (CS5950)
He is also the Web content manager for the School of Natural and Computing Sciences and Department of Computing Science.
He is the admissions tutor for the advanced MSc programmes, i.e. Cloud computing, Information Systems and Data Management and for the conversion MSc programme, i.e. Information Technology.
Past admin responsibilities included Web content manager for the Department of Computing Science and course co-ordinator for the following courses:
- TS1002: Tools for Science
- Information Technology (CS1017 and KL107S)
- Advanced Web Application Development (CS2509, CS2012 and CS2512)
- Software Quality Assurance and Control Technology (CS5569: postgraduate)
^ top
Publications
Contributions to Journals
Articles
- Beacham, NA. & McIntosh, KJ. (2012). 'Student teacher attitudes and beliefs towards using ICT as part of inclusive practice'. Teacher Education Advancement Network Journal, vol 4, no. 2.
- Beacham, NA. & Rouse, M. (2012). 'Student Teachers’ Attitudes and Beliefs about Inclusion and Inclusive Practice'. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, vol 12, no. 1, pp. 3-11.
[Online] DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-3802.2010.01194.x
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings
Chapters
- Beacham, NA. (2010). 'Human Communication'. in P Barker & P van Schaik (eds), Electronic Performance Support: Using Digital Technology to Enhance Human Ability. Gower Pub. Co., England, pp. 147-162.
Books and Reports
Other Reports
- Beacham, NA. (2009). 'PDGE Students' Attitudes and Practice regarding Inclusive Education: PGDE 2008-2009 Questionnaire Results'. University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
- Beacham, NA. (2008). 'PDGE Students'Attitudes and Practice regarding Inclusive Education: PGDE 2007-2008 Questionnaire Results'. University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
^ top
‹ back