CURRICULUM VITAE
Ormond Simpson
www.ormondsimpson.com
October 2012
SUMMARY
Principal interests in distance education
-
Student support by various media including internet and phone
-
Student success and retention, especially
- institutional attitudes and structures for retention,
- the financial costs and benefits of retention activities for students institutions and
society as a whole
- the psychological support of student success and enhancing learner motivation
-
Staff development in distance learning, particularly of tutors and advisers
Publications
Books - three books on student support and retention (which have sold more than 4000 copies and one of which has been translated into Chinese). A third edition of the second book will be out in January 2013 with Routledge, New York
Book chapters - eleven book chapters, one in press.
Articles - more than 30 articles on the above topics in various refereed journals.
Training materials - a range of training materials for staff development, including texts, video and audio.
Consultancies and workshops
Consultant, given presentations and run workshops on various aspects of distance learning in the West Indies, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Korea, The Gambia, China, Colombia, Ghana, South Africa, Brazil, the US and the UK. Over 30 presentations given in the last five years on distance learning at various institutions in the UK and elsewhere.
Personal history
Currently working as a consultant in distance learning retention and support
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Distance Education, University of London International Programmes
Previously Visiting Professor, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Previously Senior Lecturer in Institutional Research and Assistant Director, Student Support at the UK Open University (UKOU)
Prior to those appointments Lecturer in various universities in Africa, the US and the UK.
Personal details
Name: Ormond Paul Simpson, BSc. Hons Dunelm, F. Cert Ed., ILTM
Sex: Male
Email: ormond.simpson@gmail.com Website www.ormondsimpson.com
Higher Education
1965
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BSc Honours in Theoretical Physics, University of Durham
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1966
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HE/FE Teacher's Certificate, University of London Institute of Education
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Appointments:
- Full time
2008 - 2009
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Visiting Professor, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
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2004 -2008
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Senior Lecturer in Institutional Research
Open University Institute of Educational Technology,
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2002 – 2004
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Assistant Director - Student Services, UKOU in the East of England
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1998 – 2002
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Director, OU Centre for Educational Guidance and Student Support [0.5 post]
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2000 – 2002
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Assistant Director Student Progress, UKOU in the East of England [0.5post]
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1977 - 2000
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Senior Counsellor, UKOU East Anglia Region [from 1998-2000, 0.5 post]
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1968 – 1977
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Lecturer, Cranfield University, UK
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1971 – 1972
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Instructor, Hartford State Technical College, USA
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1966 – 1968
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Lecturer, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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- Part time
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2009 - on
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Visiting Fellow, University of London International Programme
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2006 - on
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Associate Lecturer UKOU ‘Starting with Maths’ Openings course
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2005 - 2006
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Tutor, University of London MA in Open Distance and Flexible Learning
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2003 - 2005
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Associate Lecturer, UKOU ‘Technology of Music’ course
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1974 – 1998
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Associate Lecturer, UKOU Science Foundation course
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1. Work history and interests
Current activities.
I am principally a researcher into the student experience of distance education. My particular areas of interest are:
(i) Student retention
-
the role of proactive interventions and the development of learning motivation
-
institutional attitudes to retention
-
course choice and retention
-
financial aspects of retention for students, institutions and governments
(ii) Student support and especially
-
online support
-
informal support (from families, friends, employers and peer and mentoring support)
(iii) Widening Participation
- access and e-learning
- post-access retention of vulnerable students
(iv) Staff Development and training
- helping distance learning staff develop appropriate teaching and support skills
- the production of distance staff development materials
Much of this work is summarised in my three books (see p.7) which have now sold more than 4800 copies in total. The ‘Supporting Students’ book was recently published in China.
Previous roles.
1. From 2002 – 08: Senior Lecturer in Institutional Research UK Open University with a similar remit to the above.
2. From 1998 – 2002: Assistant Director (Student Services) - managing 6 Student Service Managers, and 12 Student Service Assistants, covering study support, enrolment and advisory services as well as the management of specialist activities such as complaints, exceptions and appeals, prison students, and advisory services and chairing many working groups.
3. From 1992 – 1998: Director of the Centre for Educational Guidance and Student Support, responsible for the development of materials and activities to support both tutors and students, as well as undertaking research and innovation in student support.
4. From 1977 – 1992: Senior Counsellor with the OU. This involved the management of around 80 part-time OU tutors and the overall supervision of around 4000 OU students.
5. From 1966 – 1977: Lecturer in universities in Africa, America and the UK
2. External academic activities
(a) Consultancies, teaching and writing
September 2012
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Beijing Open University
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Interview with Chinese Journal of Open Education Research 18, 5
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June - Dec 2011
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UK Open University
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Consultant on the Gates Foundation funded project ‘Bridge to Success’
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February 2011 on
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University of London International Programme
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Consultant on the LLB email-based retention project
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Oct 2009 on
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Massey University, New Zealand
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Consultant to the Student Retention Programme
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Sept 2009 on
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University of London External Degree programme
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Consultant on the ‘Minimum Expectations Project’
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Oct – Nov
2008
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University of Maryland, USA
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Tutor on online course in the Economics of Distance Learning
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Sept 2008
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Author for UK Open University
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‘Teaching and Learning with the Open University’ – handbook for Associate Lecturers
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Sept-Dec 2007
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University of London Centre for Distance Education
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Tutor on the Online Research Skills course.
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Nov 2007
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National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education
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Developing e-learning in prisons project
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April 2007
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Papua New Guinea for the British High Commission
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Workshops on student support in distance education
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April 2007
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The Gambia for DfID
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Developing distance materials for teacher training
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Sept 2007
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Korean National Open University
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Consultant on retention
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Oct 2006
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Korean National Open University
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Visiting Scholar for one month
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2006
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Liverpool Hope University
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External assessor for the MA in Cultures and Identities
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2006
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National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education
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Consultant on prison education
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2006
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Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
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Consultant on global trends in distance education.
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2005
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China Central Radio and Television University
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Staff conference in Chengdu, China – paper on student support presented.
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1997
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University of West Indies
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Consultant on Student Support Services, Barbados
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1985-2001
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International Extension College
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Consultancies with distance education staff from Bangladesh, Romania, S.America, Ghana, Pakistan, India and elsewhere.
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(b) Other external academic activities
2009
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Deakin University Australia
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External PhD examiner
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2007
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Nottingham Trent University
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External DBA examiner
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2005
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Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development
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Member of the Editorial Board (Australia)
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2004
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China Central Radio and Television University
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Supervision of a visiting scholar.
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2004 on
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Article referee for journals:
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Studies in Higher Education
-
Open Learning
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Teaching and Teacher Education (Aus)
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Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development (Aus)
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Int. J. of Higher Education and Educational Planning
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J. Computer Assisted Learning
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Korean Journal of Lifelong Learning
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International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning (Canada)
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2002
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Institute of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
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Awarded membership
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1980-90
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Association of European Correspondence Schools
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Author and tutor
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(c) External keynote presentations
(more than 50 external presentations given in the last 25 years – this list is for the last eight years only)
September 2012
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Brazilian Association for Distance Education (ABED)
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Keynote address at the ABED Annual Conference, Sao Luis, Brazil
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February 2012
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University of South Africa
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Science Foundation Tutors Conference
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November 2011
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Anne Arundell College USA
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‘Distance education – are we failing our students?’
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September 2011
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University of South Africa
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A series of ten presentations on student retention in distance education
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September 2011
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Brazilian Association for Distance Education (ABED)
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Keynote address at the ABED Annual Conference, Manaus, Brazil
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January 2011
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Open University UK
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‘22% - could we do better?’
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November 2010
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University of Ghana, Legon Ghana
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Supporting Students in distance education in Ghana
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May – June 2010
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London University Centre for Distance Education
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Four presentations on aspects of student retention in distance education
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Sept 2009
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Bogotá, Colombia
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Guest speaker at the International Forum on Student Retention
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July 2009
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Open University UK
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Two presentations on retention and e-learning
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July 2009
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Warwick University 2+2 programme
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‘A new theory of student support’
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April 2009
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Massey University NZ
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Three presentations on retention and support
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Mar 09
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University of Otago, NZ
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‘Costs and benefits in Distance Learning’
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Nov 08
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Laidlaw College, Auckland, NZ
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‘Dropout – why worry?’
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Sept 08 – May 09
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Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
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A series of presentations on aspects of student support and retention
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Oct 08
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University of Middlesex - presentation over the Internet
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‘Tapeworm or technological breakthrough – can e-learning contribute to student retention in higher education?’
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Sept 08
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College of Estate Management, University of Reading
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'Weeding them out?'
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May 2008
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University of Ulster
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‘Student success – we need a new theory of leaner support’
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Jan 2008
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University Association for Lifelong Learning, Birkbeck
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‘A new theory of learner support’
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Nov 2007
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Brighton University
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‘Cost Benefits of Retention’
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Oct 2007
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London University
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Three seminars on student support
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July 2007
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London University Centre for Distance Education
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‘Research into practice’
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June 2007
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Cranfield University
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‘Supporting Students for Success in Distance Education’
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Jan 2007
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Glasgow University
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‘Student retention – why should we care and what can we do?’
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July 2006
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Penn State University USA – video presentation
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‘E-learning – the UK experience’
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July 2006
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Distance Education Association of New Zealand
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‘E-learning – what does research tell us?’
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June 2006
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RAF Personal Learning Advisors Conference, Coventry.
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‘Support in Lifelong Learning’
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June 2006
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NIACE conference ‘Future Learning’ Nottingham
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‘E-learning – what does research tell us?’
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June 2006
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Middlesex University Business School
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‘The Student Retention Business’
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Dec 2005
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National Extension College
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‘Retention issues in the OU’
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Nov 2005
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UK Open and Distance Learning Quality Council
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‘Financial issues in student retention’
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Nov 2005
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Scottish Part Time Forum
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‘A formula for retention?’
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Oct 2005
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Universities’ Association for Lifelong Learning
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‘Student Support at a Distance’
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July 2004
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CCRTVU staff at the University of East London - keynote
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‘Student support’
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June 2004
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‘Facing the future – e-learning for adults’ NIACE, Leicester
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‘Supporting open and distance learners’
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March 2004
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Manchester Metropolitan University staff
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‘Are we failing our students?’
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September 2003
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London University External Degree programme staff
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‘Retention in pt HE’
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October 2003
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East of England Telematics Group
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‘New modes of learning’
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October 2003
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ILTHE seminar Belfast
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‘Research and Teaching’
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3. Publications
(a) Books – solely authored
Tbp 2013
| ‘Supporting students for success in online and distance education’. Commissioned by Routledge, New York |
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2003
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‘Student Retention in Online, Open and Distance Learning’ RoutledgeFalmer, 168pp, ISBN 0 7494 3999 8.
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2002
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‘Supporting students in Online, Open and Distance Learning’ 2nd edition RoutledgeFalmer, 168pp, ISBN 0 7494 3999 8.
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2000
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‘Supporting Students in Open and Distance Learning’ Kogan Page, 186pp, ISBN 0 7494 3082 6.
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(b) Book chapters
Tbp 2012
| ‘Student dropout – the elephant in the room of distance education’ (with Woodley) chapter in “Online Distance Education - Toward a Research Agenda" published by Athabasca University Press
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2012
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‘Sustainability in distance education’ (with Bourke). For the Journal of the Distance Education Association of New Zealand
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2012
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‘Technology supported assessment for retention’ chapter in ‘Captivation: Student Engagement and Development through Assessment’ iPED Coventry University, pub. Routledge
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|
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2011
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‘Issues in E-learning Marketing’ chapter in ‘Marketing online programmes: Frameworks for Promotion and Communication’. Ed. Demiray and Sharma, Anadolu University and Indira Gandhi National Open University, pub. IGI Global ISBN 978-1-60960-074-7
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2009
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‘E-Learning and the Future of Distance Education’ and ‘Retention and Course Choice in Distance Learning’ chapters in ‘Distance and E-learning in Transition – Learning innovation, technology and social challenges’. Ed, Bernath, Szucs, Tait and Vidal; pub. Wiley and ISTE, ISBN 978-1-84821-132-2
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2008
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‘Open To People – Open With People: Ethical Issues In Open Learning’ chapter in ‘Ethical Practices and Implications in Distance Learning’ Ed. Demiray and Sharma, Anadolu University and Indira Gandhi National Open University, pub IGI Global ISBN 978-1-59904-867-3 .
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2008
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‘Cost benefits of Student Retention policies and Practices’, chapter in ‘Economics of Distance and Online learning’ ed. Bramble and Panda. Pub. Routledge
ISBN 978-0-415-96389-3
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2006
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‘Rescuing the Personal Tutor’, chapter in ‘Perspectives on Personal Tutoring in Mass Higher Education’ ed. Thomas and Hixenbaugh. Pub Trentham Books ISBN-10:1-85856-385-2
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2004
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‘Social exclusion and online learning’ - chapter in ‘Global Perspectives on E-learning – rhetoric and reality’ ed. Carr-Chelman pub. Sage; pp89-100; ISBN 14129 0489 7
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2002
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‘Doing it Hard’- chapter in ‘Supporting Student Learning: case studies, experience and practice from higher education’ ed. Crosling and Webb, pub. Kogan Page; pp34-40; ISBN 0 7494 3535 6.
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1993
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'Counselling by Correspondence’ - chapter in 'Key Issues in Open Learning' ed. Tait, pub Longman; pp 133-139; ISBN 0 585 21061 5.
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(c) Articles in refereed journals - published
2010
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(with Boyle, Kwon and Ross) 'Student-student mentoring for retention and engagement in distance education', Open Learning 25 (2)
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2008
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‘Motivating Learners in Open and Distance Learning: do we need a new Theory of Learner Support?’ Open Learning 23 (3)
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2007
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(with Gibbs and Regan) 'Improving Student Retention through Evidence Based Proactive Systems at the Open University (UK)' Journal of College Student Retention 8 (3) (US)
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2006
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(with Johnston) 'Retentioneering higher education in the UK: attitudinal barriers to addressing student retention in universities' Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning 8 (3)
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2006
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‘Predicting Student Success’ Open Learning 21(2) pp125-138
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2006
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‘This door is alarmed’ Journal of Access, Policy and Practice 3 (2)
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2005
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‘Web-based learning; are we becoming obsessed?’ Distance Learning 26 (1) pp 153-157 ISSN 0158-7919
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2005
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‘The costs and benefits of student retention for students, institutions and governments’. Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development (Australia) 2 (3) http://sleid.cqu.edu.au/viewissue.php?id=8 pp34-43
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2004
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‘The impact on retention of interventions to support distance students’: Open Learning, 19 (1) pp79-95 ISSN 0268-0513
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2004
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‘Student Retention and the course choice process – the UK Open University experience’ Journal of Access Policy and Practice 2 (1) pp44-58, ISSN 1740-1348
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2000
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(with Blanchfield, L. and Patrick, I.) ‘Computer conferencing for guidance and support’: British Journal of Educational Technology 31 pp295-306, ISSN 0007-1013, (individual contribution 70%)
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1999
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(with Asbee, S. and Woodall, S.) ‘Student-student mentoring in distance education’: Journal of Access and Credit Studies, 2 (2) pp220-232, ISSN 1462-0367 (individual contribution 50%)
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1998
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‘Counselling by correspondence in distance education’: Open Learning 3 (3) ISSN 0268-0513, pp. 43-45
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1998
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(with Stevens, V.) 'Promoting Student Progress by monitoring assignment submission': Open Learning 3 (8) pp56-58, (individual contribution 40%)
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1998
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(with Asbee, S.) 'Partners Families and Friends': Open Learning 13 (3) pp56-59, ISSN 0268-0513 (individual contribution 60%)
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1993
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‘Counselling and Customer Care – Distance Education in the year 2000’ Epistolodidaktika 2
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1993
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'Quality in Distance Learning Support' Open Learning 8 (2) pp61-63, ISSN 0268-0513
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1992
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'Specifying support services in the OU – the so-called ‘Student Charter’': Open Learning 7 (2), pp57-59, ISSN 0268-0513
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1992
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'Student needs in Distance Education' Epistolodidaktika 1
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1990
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(with Gaskell, A and Gibbons, S.) 'Taking Off and Bailing Out': Open Learning 5 (2) pp49-54, ISSN 0268-0513, (individual contribution 75%)
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1989
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(with Adams, C. and Rand, V.) 'But what's it really like? - the Taster Pack Idea': Open Learning 4 (3) pp42-43, ISSN 0268-0513, (individual contribution 60%)
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1987
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'Adviceline – to alter your life': pp57-58 Open Learning 2 (1) pp57-58 ISSN 0268-0513
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1984
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(with Brightwell, M.), 'Try it - you'll like it': Teaching At A Distance 24 pp-85, (individual contribution 80%)
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1983
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(with Gibbons, S.) 'Let the computer take the strain': Teaching At A Distance 22 pp59-63, (individual contribution 70%)
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1982
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(with Kelly, P. and Millard, J.) 'Student Progress and Drop Out': Teaching At A Distance: 22 pp69-71 (individual contribution 40%)
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1982
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(with Gaskell, A.) 'Slow Moving Students': Teaching At A Distance 22 pp64-69, individual contribution 70%)
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1979
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'Learning to Listen 2': Teaching At A Distance 13 pp52-58
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1977
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‘Post foundation Counselling’: Teaching At A Distance 9 pp60-67
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1977
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'Learning to Listen 1': Teaching At A Distance 10 pp43-46
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1976
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'A case for Courser Courses': Teaching At A Distance 6 pp130-132
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(d) Conference contributions
2012
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Research in Distance Education Conference
London
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‘You be the judge - Ethical issues in Distance Education’
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2011
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University of London Centre for Distance Education Conference
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‘Student Dropout - the elephant in the room of distance education’
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2007
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Cambridge International Distance Education Conference
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‘A box of coloured chalk’
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2006
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UNESCO, Korea ‘International Policy dialogue: Challenges in Implementing Lifelong Learning for Adults’
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‘Learner Support in the UK Open University’
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2006
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University Association for Lifelong Learning ‘Alternative Futures: Challenging Lifelong Learning’ Warwick
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‘Financial Futures in Higher Education’
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2006
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University of Stirling ‘The First Year Experience’
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‘Using strengths to support first year retention’
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2006
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Bath Spa University ‘Student Retention, Progression and Social Inclusion’
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‘Following the Money in Student Retention’
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2005
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Changing Landscapes Conference,
University of Swansea
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‘This door is alarmed – 35 years of widening participation in the OU’
|
2005
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Personal tutoring in Higher Education
HEA/Univ. of Westminster, London
|
‘Rescuing the personal tutor in the OU’
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2005
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Accomplishing Complex Change in Higher Education
HEA/De Montfort Univ. Leicester
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‘Retentioneering higher education’
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2005
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European Distance and E-learning Network (EDEN) Annual Conference ‘Lifelong E-learning’ Helsinki
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‘E-learning and the future of Distance Education in the markets of the 21st century’
|
2005
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11th Cambridge International Conference on ODL: ‘Reflective Practice in Open and Distance Learning: how do we improve?’
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‘Reflection or Deflection – what’s the evidence that we learn from evidence?’
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2004
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European Distance Education Network
Oldenburg, Germany
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‘Student Retention and pathway decisions in distance learning’
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2004
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International Retention conference
University of Teesside
|
Two papers given:
(i) ‘Institutional attitudes to
retention’
(ii) ‘The finances of retention’
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2004
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Assessment 2004
Bergen, Norway
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‘Assessment and Retention in the UKOU’
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2003
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Madingley Conference on student retention
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‘Proactive contact in retention’
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2003
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The Future of Distance Education
Cambridge
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‘Will we keep failing our students?’
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2003
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US National Student Retention Conference,
San Diego
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‘An international perspective on retention’
|
2003
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International Student Retention Conference
Amsterdam
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‘Mature Student Retention – the UKOU experience’
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2002
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Holistic Student Support, UCL Preston
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‘Support from Family and Friends’
|
2001
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ICDE/OU International Conference, Cambridge
[with Gaskell]
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‘Tutors Supporting Students’
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2000
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EDEN ‘Research and Innovation in Open and Distance Learning’, Prague [with Gaskell]
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‘What do students expect from their tutors?’
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1992
|
Laurentian University, Canada
|
'The Student Charter'
|
1987
|
ICDE/OU International Conference, Cambridge
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'Correspondence Counselling'
|
1984
|
ICDE/OU International Conference, Cambridge
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'Training counsellors at a distance'
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(e) Other published work
(i) Distance education courses written
2008
|
Handbook for OU Associate Lecturers
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For the UK Open University
|
1991
|
Module on ‘Learner Support’
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For the MA in Distance Education, University of London Institute of Education and the International Extension College
|
1987
|
‘Course for Counsellors’
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For Indira Gandhi National Open University
|
1985
|
‘Counselling in Distance Education’
|
For the Diploma in Distance Education - European Home Studies Council
|
(ii) Short articles published
Numerous short articles and letters in various places. This list is for the last ten years only:
2010
|
‘Self Discipline’ Connections, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
|
2009
|
‘Managing Your Procrastination’ Connections, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
|
2008
|
‘Focused on distance’ New Zealand Educational Review
|
2007
|
‘Strike it rich…’ Times Higher Education Supplement
|
2007
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Foreword for book ‘Studying at a Distance’ Talbot, Open University Press
|
2006
|
‘Coping mechanisms’; Sesame
|
2006
|
‘Evidence and e-learning’; Basic Skills Bulletin
|
2006
|
‘Behind? You need a spud’; Sesame
|
2006
|
‘The AL Contract’ Snowball
|
2006
|
‘Make Lists’; Sesame
|
2005
|
‘Bach and bytes’; Sesame
|
2005
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‘What you can expect’; Sesame
|
2004
|
‘A Formula for success’; Sesame
|
2004
|
‘The best value there is’; Sesame
|
2004
|
‘Tutors’ Views needed’; Snowball
|
2004
|
‘Are you a lucky student?’; Sesame
|
2004
|
‘Tactics in the Exam Wars’; Sesame
|
2004
|
‘The Global University’ (Book review); J. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning
|
2003
|
‘The Learner’s Experience of E-learning’; Adult Learning and Skills, NIACE
|
2003
|
‘Closer to success than you think’; Sesame
|
2003
|
‘Don’s Diary’ Times Higher Education Supplement
|
2003
|
‘Student retention – keeping the punters in’; ODLQC Newsletter
|
2003
|
‘Getting the most out of tutorials’; Sesame
|
2003
|
‘Researchers routed’ (letter) Times Higher Education Supplement
|
2003
2003
|
‘A funnel in your letterbox’; Sesame
‘Ron’s big moment’, Sesame
|
2002
|
‘Lending a hand’; EL Gazette 267
|
2002
|
‘The Will to Continue’; Sesame
|
2002
|
‘Informing choice’ (letter) Guardian Education supplement
|
2002
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‘The Credit Game’; Sesame
|
2002
|
‘Help yourself to self-help’; Sesame
|
2002
|
‘Moving on from a fail mark’; Sesame
|
Ormond Simpson
18 October 2012
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