Teaching experience

  • Currently the Computer Support worker for Cardiff Libraries (2000 - 08), teaching staff directly and generating training sheets (initially words and screen grabs - but now working with Learning Pool to design online interactive training modules - in a Moodle-based VLE). Also assisting members of the public with use of Internet and Office software in our cybercafe.
  •  In 2000, freelance tutor for a remote learning course to improve library staff computer literacy for Learning Line, which included administering an online forum. Trained as tutor by Belle Associates. 
  • Employed to assist two dyslexic students to research and write their theses for degree courses at UWIC (one on multimedia arts, one on the human-computer interface) (1998 - 99)
  • Volunteered teaching for Adult Literacy group  for The Friary Centre, Cardiff in 1997 
  • Researched and wrote two Briefing Sheets for the London Ecology Centre in 1994
  • Taught theatre and circus skills to both children and adults (including foreign nationals, and adults with disabilities) 1973 - 1997 at The City Literary Institute, The Oval House, Rose-Bruford College of Speech and Drama and the Unicorn Theatre for Young People in London in the 1970s; Edinburgh Circus Schools (77-79); Cardiff Summer Circus School 1978; AITA/IATA (International Amateur Theatre Association) Leicester 1979; Colony Holidays (1980-2); FoolTime, Bristol (1990) and with NoFit State Community Circus touring in the 1990s

  Own Lifelong Learning

 

Attended an academic school - William Ellis, in Hampstead, London - and passed 6 GCSE O-Levels in 1962, but left before completing A-Levels to work on archaeological sites and travel.

 

Adult life spent continuously learning new skills:

  • Currently (2007/8) employed part-time by The Arts Council of England to moderate and do content management for a website dedicated to circus arts - The Circus Arts Forum  
  • Recently spent three years studying asynchronously / online with an international group of students (Literature, Psychology, etc)  - writing blogs and contributing to the magazine
  • Specialist training for computer work for the Cardiff Library Service - CIS Training,  Sirsi WorkFlows (admin training), Lorensbergs NetLoan (admin training), ProQuest / KnowUK training, Display Screen Risk Assessment (STACS Training Ltd), etc. 
  • ECDL (European Computer Driving License) in 2002
  • Learning Line Training Programme for Tutors in 2000
  • Qualified and functioned as First Aider from 1999-2005 
  • Attended as many Council training sessions as possible, including NEBS Management Course, Deaf Awareness, Traveller Awareness, Violence at Work, Object Handling, Social Inclusion, etc.
  • Joined Cardiff Library Service in 1997, and took NVQ 2 - Libraries & Information Service in 1999
  • TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course in 1989
  • Cranbook Office Training in 1988
  • Mime with Desmond Jones in 1980; Commedia dell'Arte with Barry Grantham in 1979-81,  Puppetry with Jim Henson's Creature Shop (leading to film work) in 1981, etc
  • Circus skills (used for performance) included juggling, acrobatics, unicycle, fire-eating, magic, etc