Staff profiles
John Wardle
Co-Director of SLC, Deputy Director of CSE
BA (Hons) Physics, PGCE
Phone 0114 225 4883
E-mail j.l.wardle@shu.ac.uk
Research interests/current work
My two main areas of interest are the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) for science teachers and the role of ICT in science education. I have been fortunate during my career at CSE to be involved in several major projects in these areas, including Schools Online Science, the Science Consortium and currently the Science Learning Centre.
The Science Learning Centre Yorkshire and the Humber is part of the national network of Science Learning Centres and develops, delivers and co-ordinates science teacher professional development in Yorkshire and the Humber. Our centre is based at the University but we work in schools and outreach venues across the region. The SLC network is funded by the Department for Education (DfE).
I remain passionate, but at times constructively critical, about the role of ICT in science teaching and continue to be involved in online CPD development.
I am also deputy director of CSE, which gives me insight into the range and breadth of CSE activities and the complexities of managing an innovative and creative organisation within the university.
Research collaborations
- Co-director, Science Learning Centre Yorkshire and the Humber 2004–present
- Project leader, 'Getting Practical' Mapping Strand, DfE 2009–10
- Director, Science Consortium, KS3 Science Online CPD programme; DfES (2002–2004)
- Director, Science Consortium, Training programme; New Opportunities Fund (NOF)/Teacher Training Agency (TTA) (1999–2002)
- Member of subject advisory group (science) British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA), 1999–2002
- Consultant to TTA: ICT in Subject Teaching Needs Analysis, 1999
- Consultant to TTA: ICT in ITT Subject exemplification, 1998–9
- Member of Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) advisory group: ICT in the Science National Curriculum, 1998
- Project co-ordinator, Schools Online Science, DTI (1996–8)
- Member of research team: Issues in KS3 Science, Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of QCA, 1989
Research outputs: key publications
Handling and interpreting data in school science (ch7), in: Barton, R. (Ed) Teaching Science with ICT, (in press), Cambridge: Hill McGraw
Science Innovation Observatory Evaluating STEM Initiatives, Sheffield Hallam University 2011
Evaluation of National Strategies Maximising Pupil Progress, report for National Strategies 2011
Getting Practical, CPD guide and audit materials, DfE 2010
Guest editor, School Science Review March 2009 Special Edition: Creativity in Science Education, Association for Science Education (ASE)
Co-author of a chapter on the use of ICT in the ASE's 'Guide to Secondary Science Education', 2006
