Biog

Profile

Joel is currently Deputy Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of Hull.

He has been playing computer games since he was 8 years old starting with Pong and has developed a full and rich gaming history.

Joel became a lecturer in 1997 and has been teaching and in the Higher Education sector continuously across a range of fields including Graphic Design, Web Design, Multimedia and currently, Technology Enhanced Learning.

In 2015 he became ALT Learning Technologist of the year for his work using Minecraft in Education. He is taking projects forward in Game Based Learning, Learning Spaces, Electronic Management of Assessment, MOOCS and overseeing the development of online learning courses.

iLearningUK on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ilearninguktube

Follow @iLearningUK on Twitter for the latest information or to get in touch.

Published Works:

Bainbridge, J., Counsell, K., Grealy, F., Maharg, P., Mills, J. and O’Boyle, R. (2013). iPads in Legal Learning (iLEGALL): mobile devices in professional legal learning. European Journal of Law and Technology, 4(1).

http://ejlt.org//article/view/193

Mills, J. (2017). ‘Joel Mills, @iLearningUK’. In: D. Hopkins, ed., *Emergency Rations #EdTechRations: What’s so important we can’t leave it at home?*, 1st ed. [online] David Hopkins, pp.10-12. Available at: dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/books/edtechra…[Accessed 16 May 2017].

Mills, J., (2016). Recreating medieval towns – an example of why Minecraft is a great learning tool. The Conversation. Available at: http://theconversation.com/recreating-medieval-towns-an-example-of-why-minecraft-is-a-great-learning-tool-53926 [Accessed October 11, 2016].

Mills, J. & Lorch, M., (2015). How Minecraft could help teach chemistry’s building blocks of life. The Conversation. Available at: http://theconversation.com/how-minecraft-could-help-teach-chemistrys-building-blocks-of-life-49449 [Accessed October 11, 2016].

Conference speaking appearances

2017

FutureEdTech Immerstat, London
Panel on Open and Online Learning

2016

CanvasCon British Museum, London
Panel on Open and Game-based Learning

2015

GLSIG Live Event University of Hull
Presentation on the Use of Minecraft in Higher Education

Arts Council England, Digital Utopias Hull Truck Theatre, Hull
HullCraft Launch: History makers – Using Minecraft in Archives and Historical studies

InFocus: Games, Gamification & GBL University of London
Using Minecraft in Higher Education: A study of HullCraft

2014

ALT Winter Conference Edinburgh University
Grading students in Minecraft using Bukkit LTI and Canvas VLE

Platform Games Expo Hull College, Hull
HullCraft: A project in History

2013

EdEXCEL Annual Conference for Managers in the Creative Industries, Cambridge

JISC eFest, MPH Training & Conference Centre, Gateshead

BILETA University of Liverpool

 2012

BILETA Northumbria University

 

Memberships

2017 – Microsoft Global Minecraft Mentor

2017 – Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert

2007 – Present: Member of the Institute for Learning

2007 – 2010: Member of the Chartered Society of Designers (MCSD)

2005 – Present: Member of the Guild of Accessible Web Designers

 

E-Learning Consultancy Experience:

Northumbria University Law School

iLEGALL project – www.ilegall.net

February 2011 – July 2013

Acting as a project advisor for the Academic and technical teams I was instrumental in developing project workflows and systems analysis. The team were wanting to move from using web-based SIM environment for Legal drafting to a mobile platform utilising iPads in Legal Learning (iLEGALL). My role was to provide expertise in the field of mobile learning strategy, application development and coordination of resources to achieve the project end.

I worked with the academic teams to develop systems and infrastructures for deployment across the School of Law. The pilot phase was completed last year resulting in the presentation of the team’s paper to the British and Irish Legal Technology Association (BILETA) conference.

Phase two of the project involved upscaling the project across the Post Graduate range of courses and developing more modular content and learning objects that support the drafting process.

 

Kaplan Learning in association with Essex University

Edge Hotel Catering College – http://www.edgehotelschool.ac.uk/

November 2011 – March 2012

Providing mobile learning consultancy and curriculum design to the Directors of this newly established state-of-the-art catering College. The College was looking to engage learners with mobile learning through the use of iPads, iPod touches and ePortfolios. My role was to critically evaluate ePortfolio tools for assessment and to develop infrastructures for staff and students to engage in the curriculum through mobile devices. This included evidence gathering tools, assessment and feedback strategies, administration tasks and data gathering.

 

Teaching Experience:

Programme Leader, Multimedia Design and Programme Leader Information Design, School of Art and Design, Newcastle College 

Feb 98 – July 2005

As Programme Leader, I designed the curriculum and delivered the major design, multimedia and 3D packages to students in the context of a design environment. In this role I had to have a thorough understanding of the practical application of software as well as researching the latest developments in the field.

As part of a team I had to design and produce on-line learning materials to be presented both on the Internet and the college-wide Intranet. This included the design and production of eLearning packages, web sites and GUI’s.

Curriculum Assistant, School of Art and Design, Newcastle College, 

Oct 97 – Feb 98

Curriculum Assistant, helping the students with technical difficulties and maintaining the efficiency of the workshop. I also wrote learning aids to teach the students new skills in the various packages with which I am familiar. As part of my research during this time I taught myself HTML.

Education

1997 – 99
New College Durham, Durham
Post Graduate Certificate in Education  – HE (Part Time)

1992 – 95
Camberwell College of Arts, London
B.A. (Hons) Graphic Design

1991 – 92
Polytechnic South West, Exeter
Foundation

1989 – 91
Exeter College, Exeter
A’ Levels: Graphic Design, Communications, Psychology