Hello World!

Well, all good computer programming books start with a "Hello World!" exercise (for examples see Hello World, Wikipedia, and codepad). These exercises typically ease the reader in to the use of a new programming language and if the reader already knows a programming language or two, it helps them start seeing the differences and similarities.

However, this blog is not about computer programming, it is not even about teaching or education theory, it is about how the use of technology in the classroom, lecture theatre, and lab can help educators deliver content and students gain a better understanding of the material (or even improve their management of their course).

Who is Nick?

I am a lecturer at Newcastle University (UK) with over ten years of teaching experience (more details on my homepage here). My "core" subject area is biochemistry (specifically diabetes, protein trafficking and sorting, and G-protein coupled receptor signalling). I also teach "informatics" (i.e., the use of computers to find and analyse biological information) and I am an academic skills advisor (plagiarism, referencing, essay writing skills etc.). I also act as a mentor and advisor for new academic staff.

Why am I writing this blog?

Why not? My aim is to write about the use of technology in teaching and learning and hopefully start a dialog on the subject.

What will I be writing about?

In simple terms, technology and teaching. Specifically, I don't really know at this stage. It is a blog!

Image Credit: Waikay Lau (via Flickr)