Keele Learning Technologist Karl Gimblett has received a Keele Excellence Award in the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category, in recognition of his forward-thinking approach to using technology for both teaching and education.

Karl’s role is based 50/50 within the Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence (KIITE) and the Directorate of Information and Digital Services (IDS), where he supports colleagues in using a variety of technology for learning and teaching purposes.

Karl’s nomination for a Keele Excellence Award made particular reference to Karl’s role in the development of a new online course in the School of Medicine, using Microsoft Teams as the platform for delivery. Karl’s leading role in developing the project not only successfully delivered a platform for the new distance-learning course, but also enhanced the University’s reputation through the use of innovative technology for both teaching and learning.

The nomination also highlighted that Karl is an exceptional and personable member of staff who is always ‘on-call’ and willing to help. The panel agreed that Karl performed above his day-to-day role to launch the course, and that he exemplified the behaviours and values that Keele is looking for in its colleagues.

Dr Rafe Hallett, Director of KIITE commented:

“Karl has the exceptional ability to combine sophisticated educational expertise with an empathy for local academic cultures and needs. This is demonstrated by the way he applies the pedagogy of technology-enhanced learning to diverse Schools and programmes of activity across the University. His profile is also growing internationally as an expert in applying Microsoft Teams in learning and teaching scenarios.”

Dan Perry, Chief Information Officer and Director of IDS, commented:

“Karl has gone above and beyond in evangelising how our staff can benefit from digital solutions, helping colleagues get to grips with new technologies, and his work for IDS, developing training materials for Information Security and Microsoft Teams in particular, has been brilliant.

“The Postgraduate Medical Education course, which Karl set up and supported, has shown the art of the possible with distance learning provision at Keele, and should be held up as a great example of the digital transformation the University is experiencing.”

Reflecting on his award Karl added:

“The opportunity to develop and implement an entirely different way of teaching and learning for Keele’s School of Medicine has been a real honour, and that it’s been so successful with both academics and students is an incredible achievement to everyone who contributed towards the project. For me, winning the Keele Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution means so much, especially when it’s for my work around developing enhanced, innovative ways via which students can access Keele’s excellent range of courses and academic expertise.”