Digital Education seminar series
25th January 2019
www.de.ed.ac.uk

Abstract
In recent years, we have seen an increasing interest in drawing as a way to support learning across the curriculum, for many ages of learner and in formal and informal education. This interest seems to coincide with theoretical developments that draw from multimodality and embodiment as well as the increasing availability of technologies with natural user interfaces which permit drawn interactions.  In this talk I will explore the use of drawing in assessment, learning and teaching, with technologies which range from coloured pencils to simulations and intelligent tutoring systems and in domains as varied as primary literacy, secondary science and tertiary medical education. Finally, I hope to show how the drawings themselves can provide insight into when and why particular practices are helpful and how drawing can be implemented, supported and assessed to gain these benefits.

Biography
Professor Shaaron Ainsworth is Director of the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Nottingham. She has a background Psychology, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive science. Her work typically focuses on the roles of multiple and visual representations in learning including drawings, diagrams, animations, haptics and augmented reality. She is also engaged in the evaluation of interactive technologies particularly authoring tools, educational games, mobile learning, and CSCL.  This research has been supported by the British Council, ESRC, EPSRC, and NESTA (UK), Sixth Framework Programme (EU) and Office of Naval Research & National Science Foundation (USA). She is currently supervising 9 doctoral students and has supported 16 to graduate in Psychology, Computer Science, and Education.