Paul Irvine

Subject area: Computing
Senior Lecturer

 

As an undergraduate I studied for a BA(Hons) in Fine Art. As a postgraduate I studied for an MEd in Learning Systems Design at Leeds University. The course was based in an educational research unit with an international reputation - some of the staff were pioneers in the field with worldwide reputations. The course was both challenging and extremely stimulating.

Before I arrived at Northumbria I worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Paul Brna at the Computer Based learning Unit at Leeds University. I worked on a number of European funded projects carried out within the LEONARDO and SOCRATES frameworks. Prior to this I had worked for seventeen years in various capacities in the fields of architecture, engineering, manufacturing, design. I made the transition from industry to education about eighteen years ago

I then joined Northumbria in February 2002 as a Research Associate and then took up a post as Lecturer in May 2002. There is no current teaching in this area at Northumbria so my current teaching spans Multimedia Design, Interaction Design, Visual Communications and the use and interpretations of the media. There is a central interest in Semiotics which unites this diverse portfolio.

I have previously been quite active in the area of pedagogical research. I have 2 MSc students: one investigating the influence of design factors in Decision Support systems; the other investigating shared curation of photo collections and its influence on shared narratives.

Away from work I enjoy visuals arts, walking, jazz & cooking.

Previous research

Dec 01 – Dec 03  Content Management Middleware for the support of eLearning across Europe (eCMS) (SOCRATES - MINERVA Action Project 90613-CP-1-2001-1-GR-MINERVA-M)

Development of a Content Management System for the Support of eLearning. The core of the system is an open middleware architecture for the publication, discovery, retrieval, and integration of educational material. The system provides a hosting platform and services for the publication of educational material by institutions that do not offer organized eLearning programs.
In addition, the system offers a collaborative environment developed through off the shelf tools (chat-rooms, forums, whiteboard space sharing) to facilitate on-line learning through the establishment of communication channels (office hours, student working groups, etc).

Sep 00 – Jun 01  NELTEGEM: New Learning Technologies for Lifelong self-learning in Greenhouse Engineering & Management (Leonardo da Vinci Contract No EL/99/2/07396)
Design & development of an Internet-based research & education site for a community of greenhouse professionals, including agricultural scientists, engineers, installers, manufacturers, and growers.

Jan 00 – Aug 00 Hermes’ Wings
Project carried out in partnership with the Hellenic Pedagogical Institute, Athens.
Developing a distance learning model and training materials, preparing Greek school teachers for use of the Internet in Greek schools.

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