Biog

Image of me in my favourite hat

Me in my favourite hat

Profile

Joel saw his first computer in 1977 aged 5; a Sinclair calculator and has been hooked ever since. In 1989, he started working with computers developing skills in graphic design, multimedia, web design and web development.

His teaching career started in 1997 delivering further and higher education programmes to undergraduate level whilst continuing to design for high profile clients like Adidas, Fox kids, Asda, Walls and others.

Since 2009 he has undertaken projects with Kaplan Learning, Essex University and Northumbria University working on research projects in the fields of mobile teaching and learning workflows.

In 2010 he set up iLearningUK to advise Educational institutions on suitable eLearning solutions. iLearningUK has been supporting educational partners with eLearning projects and bids; from VLE’s to Mobile technology in the classroom; developing strategy and writing eLearning into the curriculum. Please get in touch if you feel your institution is looking for support in any of these areas.

Joel is currently working at the University of Hull as a lecturer and advisor on all aspects of technology enhanced learning and pedagogy.

In 2017 he is taking projects forward in Electronic Management of Assessment, Game Based Learning, Gamification of learning, interaction in the classroom and Learning Design.

Specialties: Experience in managing complex projects, people and resources. Highly motivated and reliable with exceptional IT, customer service and presentation skills. Working with technology. Curriculum design and assessment strategies. Innovative pedagogies.

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 : What’s so important we can’t leave it at home?*, 1st ed. [online] David Hopkins, pp.10-12. Available at: [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

 

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