Anthony Russell feature
FEATURED ULTRANAUT - ANTHONY RUSSELL
I am an old historical geographer who has willingly and most enjoyably washed up in the surf of the www. To be part of this innovative, diverse, tolerant Ultralab community that believes learning should be seductive, fun and delightful is a joy.
I first became aware of Ultralab when seconded to Tesco as part of a two man team dedicated to organizing Northern Ireland’s contribution to the UK’s Award winning Internet Project, Tesco Schoolnet 2000. I then Joined APU (Anglia Ruskin) and Ultralab as a Senior Lecturer (Facilitator) working to create Talking Heads and the other Virtual Communities that now represent the Online arm of the National College for School Leadership (NCSL). I am presently involved in the development and facilitation of ‘Ultraversity’, a radical new online, undergraduate degree; as well as Ultralab’s postgraduate programme.
My interest in geography was rekindled when in 2004 I evaluated, for DfES, Africa Bookcase’s Gemini Project that used innovative software to link schools in England with schools in the developing world. I then wrote the, “Shaping Borderlands” module for Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Ulster University's BA in Humanities in Borderland Studies. This 'moodle' module is a blend of face-to-face learning and online dialogue. Nice work for a geographer. Since October I have been working working with 5 other universities from a variety of countries in the creation and delivery of the COLLIER project, funded by the European Commission. The aim is to provide a blended learning experience for school leaders associated with the participating institutions.
My interest in all things historical has involved me in researching and leading cross community work for Newry and Mourne District Council including the Great Famine, the 1798 Rebellion and most aspects of the development of the area. I was even chair of the Newry and Mourne Millenium Company.