Kristianstill

Having always been passionate about teaching and coaching, I returned from studying at SIUE to teach at Tauntons College, Southampton (11-19) and coach part-time for Southampton FC. During my third year at Tauntons College I seeded the idea of an educational experience that combined academic learning and practical sports (football) performance. The BTEC in Sport (Performance and Excellence) started with an initial pilot group of 12 students, sharing lessons with the local professional football clubs scholars. In my seventh and final year, we enrolled 42 learners, (38 males, 4 females).

Unsurprisingly, a high proportion of the learners were more focused on their football than their learning. In an effort to engage these students I found myself using technology more frequently,  when I inadvertently stumbled upon wikis. As a result, I conceived the idea of a building an organic learning resource WITH the help of the students, for the students, handy in a climate that required Key Skills.

The wiki snowballed, anything collaborative or embeddable was tested. Many of the ideas were reused, RSS feeds, discussion forums, portfolios, calendars, vodcasts, podcasts, screencasts (created and embedded) blog posts, slideshares, quizzes, quests, tours and cross college collaborations, and perhaps as many ideas were discarded. What was clear, the students were engaged with students learning from lessons and from the development of the wiki. Pride in being published was a significant motivator. Results improved and exceeded National benchmarks, with value added scores higher still. The complimentary education / coaching and technology proved a fruitful combination.

I went on to lead the Department and  Manage the Academy of Sport before in January 2007, I readily accepted the Director of E-Learning post at Hamble College (11-16). Apart from the change of subject and sector, it has proven to be the most intense CPD of my career, littered with projects, opportunities and challenges. Within the Department a curriculum redesign in both Key Stage 3 and 4, IT overhaul and budgetary plan, staff recruit, PGCE and GTP appointments and mentoring and the development of the extra-curricular Digital Media and Gaming Club. In the wider context of the College, a wireless install and teacher laptop policy, strategic IT Network Management redesign with the support of partners Class Technology Solutions, procurement, integration and deployment of the Learning Platform, the wholeschool netbook project, wholeschool IT training and management of the new College website.

In summary, I was a teacher and manager working with 16-19 year olds studying on Sport Courses and I am now the Director of E-Learning at Hamble College teaching Key Stage 3 and 4, a HIAS ‘Subject Lead Professional’ and leading ICT and IT strategic policy. I continue to be passionate about ‘educational teachnology’ educational leadership and FLOSS resources. You can find me on Twitter, Skype and various forums as @ Kristianstill. I am an avid reader, enjoying many professional blog theme and podcast listerner. I can heartily recommend all the blogs in my read roll plus the TWIT series and TED.

In addition, I coach football (soccer) professionally with Southampton FC. This passion for sport ties in well with my new school, Hamble Community Sports College. I hope you enjoy my musings and I welcome your comments.