Dr Nicholas Bowskill

About

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have over 25 years’ experience within different universities. I have conducted field work in both the UK and in China and worked on national and international research projects to do with technology and learning.

I am interested in group-based theories and practices for learning and teaching. I spend most of my time thinking and doing work on how theory and practice can be organised, managed and implemented using technology.

I was a former Kelvin-Smith Scholar at University of Glasgow. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am lead tutor for SEDA online workshop on Introduction to Educational Change and Senior Lecturer in Education (UDOL) at University of Derby. I am a reviewer for various published journals including: Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, Interactive Learning Environments and International Journal of Art and Design Education and Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education.

SharedThinking is an independent consultancy.

Teaching responsibilities

I currently lecture on the following courses:

Education MA
Education MA (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Education Postgraduate Certificate (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Education MA (Leadership and Management)
Education Postgraduate Certificate (Leadership and Management)

Research interests

My interests relate to social and group learning in general but also with technology. I am interested in group-related theory for learning and the use of technology. I created a technique, and then a consultancy practice, called SharedThinking from my PhD which provides practice for reflecting and invoking a sense of belonging in groups. I am also interested in Online Peer Observation as another collaborative learning strategy.

Membership of professional bodies

Interactive Learning Environments and International Journal of Art and Design Education
Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA, UK)

Qualifications

PhD in Education (University of Glasgow)
MSc in IT and Learning, Lancaster University
BA English and History, University of Gloucestershire

Recent conferences

BOWSKILL, N. 2020. The Post-Autonomy Era of Education. Global Smart Education Conference. Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China (Online). Online Video Archive

BOWSKILL, N., GRATION, M., HIGSON, R., AKHTAR, S., COLEY, M., ARMELLINI, J. & WESTWOOD, J. 2020. Designed Approach: Constructivism and Online Group Learning. Festival of Learning Conference. University of Derby (online).

International experience

Worked on e-China Project with Lancaster University, University of Sheffield and Open University. Carried out fieldwork interviewing online tutors in China. Tutored online in a teaching team consisting of tutors from UK and China as lead tutor.

Recent publications

BOWSKILL, N. in press. Student-Generated Induction: A Belonging-Based Practice. In: ROSSI, V. (ed.) Inclusive Design

BOWSKILL, N. in press. Student-Generated Induction in a Lecture Theatre. In: HRASTINSKI, S. (ed.) Designing Courses with Digital Technologies: Evidence and Examples by and for Higher Education Instructors. Routledge.

BOWSKILL, N. 2020. The Post-Autonomy Era of Education. Global Smart Education Conference. Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China (Online).

BOWSKILL, N. & LALLY, V. 2018. A ‘Social Identity Approach’ as a Theory for the Design of Learning with Educational Technology: The Case of Clickers In: BAJIĆ, M., DOHN, N., DE LAAT, M., JANDRIĆ, P. & RYBERG, T., eds. Networked Learning Conference 2018, 2018 Zagreb. pp.399-408.

BOWSKILL, N., MAVOROMMATI, M. & BROCK, S. 2018. Online Peer Observation: Research and Practice. Networked Learning Conference. Dubrovnik Hotel, Zagreb.

BOWSKILL, N. 2017. SharedThinking: Social Identity and Student Success. UWE Computing Department Annual Conference. Engineers House, Clifton, Bristol.

BOWSKILL, N. 2017. SharedThinking: A Social Identity Approach to Critical Thinking. Journal of Pedagogical Development, 7, 37-46.

BOWSKILL, N. 2017. SharedThinking and Collective Inquiry: A new model for Clickers. 10th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference. University of Glasgow.

BOWSKILL, N., MAVROMMATI, M. & BROCK, S. 2017. Online Peer Observation in Distributed Course Teams. In: UBACHS, G. & KONINGS, L., eds. The Online Open and Flexible Higher Education Conference, 25th-27th October 2017 Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. EADTU, 271-277.

SHAW, P. & BOWSKILL, N. 2017. Micro-Lectures: How to Teach Online. University of Derby, Learning and Teaching Conference 2017. Buxton, Derbyshire.

BOWSKILL, N. 2016. What Concerns UK Support Professionals Most Regarding Student Induction? A View from 3 years of Professional Development Workshops for ‘Student-Generated Induction: A Social Identity Approach’. ALDinHE Bulletin, 11.

BOWSKILL, N. 2015. Students as Partners in their induction: A social identity approach.

BOWSKILL, N. & LALLY, V. 2014. A Social Psychological Theory of Belonging Leading to a Student-Generated Approach to Induction. European First Year Experience Network (EFYE) 2014 Conference. Nottingham Trent University, UK.

BOWSKILL, N. 2014. Student-Generated Induction. Solihull College of HE Annual Teaching and Learning Conference. University of Warwick.

BOWSKILL, N. 2014. Learning Design for Student Generated Induction. HEA National Student Induction Workshop. University of Warwick, UK.

BOWSKILL, N. 2013. Student-Generated Induction: A Social Identity Approach: A Staff Development Guide, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

BOWSKILL, N. 2013. Student-Generated Induction: A Social Identity Approach to a Complex World. Higher Education as if the World Mattered. University of Edinburgh.

BOWSKILL, N. 2013. A Social Identity Approach To Learning With Classroom Technologies. PhD Doctoral, University of Glasgow.

BOWSKILL, N. 2013. Re-Thinking Belonging. SEDA

BOWSKILL, N., DRAPER, S., CUTTS, Q., LALLY, V. & BRINDLEY, S. 2011. Shared Thinking and Interactionist Pedagogy. Society of Australasian Social Psychologists 41st Annual Conference. Manly, Australia.

BOWSKILL, N. 2010. Shared Thinking as an Example of Group-Oriented Generative Learning. Invited Online Guest Seminar. Staffordshire University.

BOWSKILL, N. 2010. Giving shareable form to collective thought using a Shared Thinking approach. In: DIRCKINCK-HOLMFELD, L., HODGSON, V., JONES, C., DE LAAT, M., MCCONNELL, D. & RYBERG, T., eds. Seventh International Conference on Networked Learning, 3rd-4th May 2010a Hvide Hus Hotel, Aalborg, Denmark.

BOWSKILL, N., BRINDLEY, S., CUTTS, Q., LALLY, V. & DRAPER, S. 2010. Shared Thinking as a Community Model of Induction and Transition. Global Learn 2010. Penang, Malaysia.

BOWSKILL, N., BRINDLEY, S., LALLY, V., DRAPER, S. & CUTTS, Q. 2010. Shared Thinking as Group-Oriented Enquiry Based Learning. Developing Pedagogic Research. University of Dundee.

BOWSKILL, N., CUTTS, Q., BRINDLEY, S., LALLY, V. & DRAPER, S. 2010. "Am I Alone in Thinking..?" Overcoming student concerns and isolation using a Shared Thinking approach for FIMS Induction. 3rd Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference. University of Glasgow.

BOWSKILL, N. 2009. The Social Experience of Reflection. Moving Forward: the 6th Annual College of Arts and Social Sciences Postgraduate Conference. University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

BOWSKILL, N. 2009. Shared Thinking: A Social Approach to PDP. On Reflection.

BOWSKILL, N. & BRINDLEY, S. 2009. Shared Thinking for PDP Support. 9th Residential Seminar of the Centre for Recording Achievement. Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre, Manchester, UK.

BOWSKILL, N. 2009. PDP in a Learning Community Model. Invited Presentation. The Caledonian Academy, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland.

BANKS, S., MCCONNELL, D. & BOWSKILL, N., 2008. A Feeling or a Practice?: Achieving Interculturality in an E-Learning Course. 6th International Conference on Networked Learning, 2008 712-719.

MCCONNELL, D., BOWSKILL, N. & BANKS, D. 2008. Examining Conceptions of E-Learning in an Intercultural, Sino-UK, Context. Networked Learning Conference. Halkidiki, Greece.

BANKS, S., MCCONNELL, D. & BOWSKILL, N. 2007. The Impact of Difference in Intercultural eLearning: insights from an evaluation of an online Sino-UK course. In Reshaping Higher Education. Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Conference. Brighton

BANKS, S., BOWSKILL, N., SHAOMING, C., XU, C., ZHANG, Z. & ZHAO, J. Intercultural E-tutor Training: a Sino-UK Case Study of E-tutoring in Intercultural E-Learning Contexts. ICCE 2006 Beijing, China.

BOWSKILL, N., LUKE, R. & MCCARTY, S. 2006. Global Virtual Organizations for Online Educator Empowerment. In: WEISS, J., NOLAN, J., HUNSINGER, J. & TRIFONAS, P. (eds.) The International Handbook of Virtual Learning Environments. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

BOWSKILL, N. 2005. Developing Personal Responsibility for Informal Learning in Online Communities. In: SHARMA, R., PULIST, S. & MISHRA, S. (eds.) Education in the Digital World. New Delhi, India: Viva Books Private Limited.

BOWSKILL, N. & FOSTER, J. 2005. Networked Staff Development: A Case Study. In: FALLOWS, S. & BHANOT, R. (eds.) Quality issues in ICT-based higher education. London: Routledge.

BOWSKILL, N. 2004. A Virtual Faculty Mentoring Project for Creating Online Curriculum. Internet Research: Ubiquity? 5th Annual Conference of the Association of Internet Researchers. University of Sussex, Brighton.

BOWSKILL, N. 2004. Informal learning projects as a vehicle for collaborative professional development in online communities Networked Learning Conference. University of Lancaster.

MCCONLOGUE, T. & BOWSKILL, N. 2002. Researching the Tutor in Online Practice: Reflections on an Appropriate Research Methodology Networked Learning Conference. University of Lancaster.

FOSTER, J., BOWSKILL, N., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 2001. Managing Institutional Change for E-Learning; a multi-stakeholder approach. In: STEEPLES, C. & JONES, C. (eds.) E-Learning in Higher Education. London: Springer Verlag.

LALLY, V., MCCONNELL, D., BOWSKILL, N. & FOSTER, J. 1999. Towards generic teaching and learning strategies through computer based collaborative group work: progress and discussion. European Conference on Educational Research. Lahti, Finland.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 2001. Experiential Professional Development for Networked Learning. Staff and Educational Development International, 5, 27-43.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 2001 Networked Professional Development: Issues and Strategies in Current Practice. In: BANKS, S., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. (eds.) Collaborative E-Learning in Higher Education: Issues and Strategies. Sheffield: University of Sheffield, School of Education, SPIE Publication.

BOWSKILL, N., MCCARTY, S., LUKE, R., KINSHUK & HAND, K. 2000d. Cultural Sensitivity in Voluntary Virtual Professional Development Communities. Indian Journal of Open Learning, 9.

BOWSKILL, N. 2000. Tutoring in Real Time Environments. In: HIGGISON, C. (ed.) OTiS Online Tutoring E-book. http://www.fredriley.org.uk/callhull/otis/.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 2000c. Networked staff development: a survey of current practice and a support initiative. Reaching Out, SEDA 2000. Coventry University.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 2000a. Networked Professional Development (NPD): issues and strategies in current practice. International Journal of Academic Development 5, 93-106.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. Networked professional development: issues for recipients and providers. In: ASENSIO, M., FOSTER, J., HODGSON, V. & MCCONNELL, D., eds. Networked Learning 2000: Innovative approaches to lifelong learning and higher education through the internet, 17th-19th April 2000 2000b University of Lancaster. 49-56.

FOSTER, J., BOWSKILL, N., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. Negotiating practice: an analysis of an institutional dialogue about networked learning. In: ASENSIO, M., FOSTER, J., HODGSON, V. & MCCONNELL, D., eds. Networked Learning 2000: Innovative approaches to lifelong learning and higher education through the internet, 17th-19th April 2000 2000a University of Lancaster. 98-105.

FOSTER, J., BOWSKILL, N., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 2000b. Researching Community: Developing a design for a virtual professional development environment in computer-based collaborative group work. ICED 2000. Bielefeld, Germany.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 1999. Professional development strategies for the support of university staff in the adoption of networked collaborative learning. Networked Learning Workshop. Higham Hall, Cumbria.

FOSTER, J., BOWSKILL, N., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 1999. Preparing for networked collaborative learning: an institutional view. European Conference on Educational Research. Lahti, Finland.

BOWSKILL, N., FOSTER, J., LALLY, V. & MCCONNELL, D. 1999. A rich professional development environment (RPDE) for university staff to explore and develop networked collaborative learning. European Conference on Educational Research. Lahti, Finland.

BOWSKILL, N. 1998. Networked Learning: A Review Paper. In: LEVY, P., BOWSKILL, N. & WORSFOLD, E. (eds.) NetLinkS Report. University of Sheffield

BOWSKILL, N. 1997. Networked Learner Support: Issues and Perspectives. Library Association: Colleges of Further and Higher Education Group; Exeter '97. Exeter.

BOWSKILL, N. 1997. Facilitating on-line organisational learning to promote networked learner support. CAL 97: Superhighways, Super CAL Super Learning? Exeter University.

LEVY, P., FOWELL, S., BOWSKILL, N. & WORSFOLD, E. 1996. NetLinkS: a national professional development project for networked learner support. Education for Information, 14, 261-278.

BOWSKILL, N. & WORSFOLD, E. 1996. Towards culture change in the networked environment. ALTN, 12.