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Jon Wood

Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, 
Birmingham, B4 7ET,
UK.

mailto: J.B.Wood@aston.ac.uk
telephone: +44 (0) 121 204 4089 (direct line)
fax: +44 (0) 121 204 4090

Technical Team Leader for Psychology


jon wood

Jon is actively involved in the development of teaching and training of fMRI acquisition and analysis. Achievements here have led to the development of scripts to semi-automate the pre-processing of Siemens Trio fMRI datasets using a script called MRSA (MRi-SemiAutomatic). MRSA was presented at the “Methods in Mind” conference held at Aston University, 12th -16th September 2005 (poster available here) (pdf format). The script and information pertaining to its use with AFNI and SPM are freely available by contacting the author.

Aston University’s Psychology laboratories incorporate state-of-the-art equipment. Among the new facilities is a dedicated psychophysiology teaching laboratory containing 8 Biopac units and a 3 camera Qualisys IR motion capture system. There are a range of individual cubicle rooms equipped with networked PCs, complimented by rooms for the collection of data from multiple subjects simultaneously. The laboratories also house a Cambridge Research Systems Eyetracker system.

A new facility available to Aston students is the focus room which allows behavioural observation studies via a one way mirror and an integrated audio system linked to a video editing suite. The simulator laboratory features a 4 metre wide projection and surround sound, presenting realistic scenarios for the monitoring of driver behaviour. All these new facilities aim to broaden the skills base and range of research undertaken by undergraduate students. Jon is Administrator for the Psychology Research Participation Scheme (RPS) at Aston University.


Driving simulator promo
Video recording behind the mirror of the focus room. Thank you to Jules and Jen. xx
VPI podcasting

Teaching & Research Interests

I have turned a technical support role at Aston into one of innovation and creativity, openly suggesting that the role of technician is more one of technical teacher. This allows me to encourage people to interact with technology and become inspired by its possibilities. This approach has resulted in my receiving the Technician/Demonstrator of the Year 2009 award from the Higher Education Academy Psychology network.

Taking an active role in the delivery material taught at Aston University, my teaching portfolio undertaken as part of the Aston Certificate of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education can be downloaded here (pdf format) for which I received a Teaching Excellence award in 2006. As such, I am associated with the Higher Education Academy and is a member of the Teaching Award Recipients Network.

I specialise in innovative, sustainable pedagogy by revisiting technology from a novel perspective, in a way that inspires both students and academics. Principal research activities focus on the efficacy of innovative practices in learning and teaching. Current research areas are building on foundations of initial research into simulation-based systems and learning through gaming, viewing learning as a journey and a process rather than a result. This research programme allows me to provide support directly to the teaching staff at Aston University with pioneering practise.

Recent research activities have been investigating the potential use of Web 2.0 virtual learning environments and the effects of cyberpersonalisation, virtual pedagogy and the efficacy of podcasting and vodcasting as teaching and learning resources. A review of the Virtual Pedagogy Initiative (VPI) project can be viewed by clicking the image to the left.  The VPI project was shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding ICT Initiative of the Year’ Award, sponsored by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), at the Times Higher Awards 2007.

The Virtual Pedagogy Initiative also aimed to heighten the student learning experience by bring to them opportunities that were not previously possible. One innovative measure was the delivery of a first year undergraduate lecture on Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) together with a live scan being conducted, which utilised a two-way video communication link and outside broadcast. This thrilling experience was capture by the BBC and broadcast across regional news. Click opposite to view the broadcast.

A demonstration of the VPI's campuscam

Publications

Parson V, Reddy PA, Wood JB, Senior C (2009). Educating the IPOD generation: Undergraduate attitudes, experiences and knowledge of vod and podcast use. Learning, Media & Technology, 34, (3): 215-228

Senior C, Butler MJR, Wood J, Reddy PA (2009). The Virtual Pedagogy Initiative? Aston Business School Good Practice Guide in Learning and Teaching. (Green J, & Higson H, eds). Quality Unit, Aston Business School. pp 31-49.

Reddy P, Parson V, Wood J, and Senior C (2007). Podcasting trials in a UK psychology degree. Paper at the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference, Sydney, July 2007.

Senior C, Reddy PA, & Wood JB (2007). Virtual Pedagogy? The Psychologist, 20 (70), p439.

Senior C, Reddy PA, & Wood JB (2007). The Virtual Pedagogy Initiative. Psychology Network Newsletter. 40 (1): 6

Conference Presentations/Posters

Wood JB & Reddy PA – “Learning Analogous to Virtual Adventuring”. Poster at LHS learning and teaching symposium, Aston University, March 2009.

Wood JB & Reddy PA “Virtual Pedagogy at Aston – reflections on three years of tinkering”. Presentation at 7th annual eLearning conference (Supporting the iGeneration) University of Ulster, January 2009.

Silber K, Bignell S, Parson V, Wood J, Reddy P, Senior C – “Second Life: another world in which to teach and learn”. Workshop at Psychology Learning & Teaching (PLAT), University of Bath, July 2008.

Reddy P, Parson V, Wood J, and Senior C (2007). “Podcasting trials in a UK psychology degree.” Paper at the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference, Sydney, July 2007.

Wood JB – “MRSA: A New Possibility in Streamlining Block Design fMRI Analysis with AFNI”. Poster at Methods in Mind conference, Aston University, September 2005.

Grant Awards

An intervention to demonstrate the potential of video recording lectures. Flexible Learning Development Centre, Aston University. [with Dr. C Senior & Mr. PA Reddy]. (2006; £3000).

The Virtual Pedagogy Initiative. Flexible Learning Development Centre, Aston University. [with Dr. C Senior & Mr. PA Reddy]. (2006; £4812).

Using video examples in teaching and assessment of psychological research methods. Flexible Learning Development Centre, Aston University. [with Mr. PA Reddy, Dr. C Senior & Dr. R Cooke] (2006; £4,056).

Evaluation of e-Zine podcasts to promote student engagement and academic community. JISC-Academy Distributed e-Learning Program II. HEA Psychology Centre. [with Dr. C Senior & Mr. PA Reddy]. (2007; £19650).

Community Activities

On the 22nd of September 2006, alongside Dr. Carl Senior and representatives from the University Communications Division, Jon was involved in a media event for the benefit of a visually impaired student. Our experiences were recorded by the BBC and broadcast that day. The web version of this broadcast can be viewed by clicking on the link opposite. Our thanks go to Sally Hoban, David Gregory, the crew at the BBC and Midlands Today for making this a precious occasion for everyone involved.

Click here to view broadcast in .mov format. (c) 2006 BBC.

Jon is also involved in teaching activities for the HE Summer School project organized annually by the Outreach Office of Schools and Colleges Liaison. These events are run throughout the year and provide an introduction to Psychology in an aspirational manner commonly for year 9 and 10 students.

 

I am a member of The Association of Technical Staffs in Psychology. ATSiP exists primarily to share knowledge between technicians working in Psychology and Psychology related departments in academic institutions. This network of technicians is an essential resource for useful techniques, new equipment, special offers and help on some of those tricky problems. The Association holds an annual conference at different academic institutions throughout the UK and Ireland. Members participate in the talks and presentations, see local research and teaching facilities and meet socially to disseminate best practice.