Darrell Muir | Digital Learning Manager | NCG

I started my working life as a health care worker in an old people’s home, after an IT teacher at school said not to bother with computers. I could not touch type after breaking my little finger so she said I would struggle to keep up with work. However, after a few years working in Care homes, but continuing upskilling my IT skills at home, building my own PC, learning software, and gaining more understanding how IT. I used funding available through a lifelong learning fund and gained some IT qualifications. I was offered some hours phoning around members of unions, offering free IT courses, it was while I was working within the centre, I had to stand in for a tutor who had become ill and had to leave – but the class was due to start, and students had started to arrive. I loved this experience and the lady running the centre had some good feedback from the students who asked if I could continue to teach them. She championed me and encouraged me to gain a teaching qualification, and higher education in IT. So, my career changed direction, I completed my HNC in Computing and gained a Certificate in Education I went on to work within my local FE College for 22 years. My thirst for learning and looking for ways to improve my own teaching practise, meant I was always looking for smarter ways to work using technology. Developing a Virtual learning environment using Moodle and championing the development of this environment seen me become a digital champion and gave me a cross College role to train other in the use of EdTech tools. When we became part of a larger College group, I continued the EdTech journey and became a member of the Learning and innovation technology group for Newcastle College. I was part of a team who trained staff how to use new systems, new emails and ran regular sessions to support the change in technology. My hard work and determination have paid off, I was the first within the College group to gain Microsoft MIEE status and more recently became a Fellow. So, when a newly developed role became available _ Digital Learning Manager I went for it and over the last year I have continued to develop the EdTech and digital skills of the staff across seven colleges, developing training paths, online CPD and in person training events. I am a wakelet ambassador, I want to see staff reduce paperwork and have the confidence to use technology. This last year has not left like I am working it has been like I am living my dream and this is just the beginning.

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