B&FC lecturer presents at Higher Education Academy STEM Conference 2018

A Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) lecturer was chosen to present her work at a prestigious higher education conference.

Colette Mazzola, Senior Tutor in Computing at B&FC, delivered a session – entitled To flip or not to flip? – at the Higher Education Academy (HEA) STEM Conference 2018, based on her research into a “flipped” approach to teaching and learning.

The practice involves a teaching method where students must do the required theory work online ahead of their class, so time in college can be wholly dedicated to the practical aspects of their programme.

Colette said:

“As a HEA fellow, I’m really proud to have been chosen to present at such a prestigious conference.

“While I found there are benefits to applying the flipped approach, this was an excellent opportunity to interrogate the concept with peers from across the UK and internationally, to discuss applications, benefits and potential pitfalls of the approach.

“My presentation went really well. Lots of delegates attended the session, there was lots of interest and questions and I got some great feedback. I’ll now be able to use the findings as research towards my PHD.”

The two-day STEM conference at Newcastle’s Life Science Centre featured a mix of peer-led workshops, presentations and keynotes for each of the individual Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) disciplines, as well as opportunities for learning from cross-disciplinary practice.

Colette teaches degree-level students at B&FC, as well as courses for school-leavers, and is particularly interested in the interaction of technology and teaching practice, in the context of advanced research. Her technical specialisms include web design, client-side scripting and cyber-psychology.

She added:

“There aren’t many speakers who come from a college setting taking part in higher education conferences like this so I was pleased my work was recognised in this way.”

For more information on computing courses at B&FC visit www.blackpool.ac.uk or call the course information hotline on 01253 504343.