Professor Stephanie Atkinson
PhD
Professor of Design & Technology Education
Location:
Forster Building, City Campus
Phone: 0191 5152392 / 3192 / 2395 / 2201
Email:
stephanie.atkinson@sunderland.ac.uk
Teaching Areas
Design Literacy theory and practice
Assessment and Evaluation of Design and Technology
Graphical Communication
Craftsmanship in Resistant Materials
ITT in D&T
Research Interests
Research into aspects of Design and Technology that continually informs my teaching eg: How People Design, Creativity, Learning Styles, Gender, Computer Aided Learning and Motivation. This research has been carried out in both Secondary and Teriary phases of education and has involved collaboration with samples from different institutions. The research has targeted those studying Design & Technology, although one spin off led to a study concerning Ket Stage 4 Science pupils
Selected Publications
Articles in International Journals
2000 'An investigation into the relationship between teacher motivation and pupil motivation', Educational Psychology, 20(1) pp46-57
2000 'Does the Need for High Levels of Performance Curtail the Level of High Order Thinking Skills in Design and Technology Project Work'. International Journal of Design and Technology, 10(3) pp255-281
2004 'A comparison of pupil learning and achievement in computer aided learning and traditional taught situations with special reference to cognitive style and gender issues'. Educational Psychology, 24(5) pp659-680
2005 'A study of preferred information processing style and its relationship to gender achievement in the context of design and technology project work' in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: International Journal, 10(1) pp26-42
2005 'Student Behaviours in the Context of Computer Aided Learning in Design and Technology Teacher Training' in: D Cheek & J Strechler (Eds.) The Journal of Technology Studies, 30(4) pp54-65
2006 ' Factors influencing successful achievement in contrasting design and technology activities in Higher Education' in: M De Vries (Ed.) International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 16(2) pp193-213
2009 'Are Design and Technology teachers able to meet the challenges inherent in the theme for this conference 'D&T - A Platform for Success'?' in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: International Journal, 14(3) pp8-20
2010 'The relationship between the time spent studying subject knowledge and the attitude of trainee teachers to the subject they will teach' in: D Cheek & J Streichler (Eds.) The Journal of Technology Studies: in press
Chapters in Books
2002 'Creativity versus the need for high levels of performance' in: G A Owen-Jackson, (Ed.) Teaching Design and Technology in Secondary Schools, London: Routledge Taylor francis, pp161-176
2005 'Promoting Equality' In DATA in: A Farrell (Ed.) The Design & Technology Secondary Subject Leaders File, Wellsbourne: DATA
2007 'Useful Assessment in Design and Technology' (Co-authored with Professor Paul Black) in D Barlex & N Baldwin (Eds.) Design and Technology for the Next Generation: A collection of provocative pieces, written by experts in their field, to stimulate reflection and curriculum innovation, London: The Nuffield Foundation pp198-215
Book Reviews
2003 'Teaching Design and Technology in the Primary School' by D Newton for Sage Publications
2006 'A Framework for Design and Design Education: A reader containing key papers from the 1970's and 1980's by B Archer, K Baynes and P Roberts (2006) review in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 11(1) pp68-70
2006 'Footprints in Shifting Sand: Ten years of editorials from the DATA journal' (1996-2005) by R Kimbell (2006) review in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 11(3)
2007 'Explaining Creativity: The science of human innovation' by R K Sawyer (2007) review in Educational Psychology 20(6)
2008 'Analyzing Best Practices in Technology Education' by De Vries, Custer, Dakers, Martin (Eds.) review in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 13(3)
2009 ' The cultural tranmission of artefacts, skills & knowledge' by Jacques Ginestie Review in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 14(3)
2001 ' Creativity: A handbook for Teachers' edited by Ai-Girl Tan review in: E Norman (Ed.) Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, in press
Selected Presentations
2000 'National Curriculum Design and Technology in the UK' Presented at NDETEB-200 International Conference and Careers Convention for Design and Technology Education, Botswana 1-8
2002 'Initial Teacher Training for Secondary Teachers of Design and Technology' Presented at the International Annual Conference of Technology Educators in Slovakia in: Ing Stefan Matik (Ed.) Technicke Vzdelanie Ako Sucast Vseobecneho Vzdelania, Banska Bystrica, Solvakia: Univerzita Mateja Bela, pp19-28
2009 'Creativity in Design and Technology' Presented at D&T Conference for all Teachers of D&T in Cyprus, Cyprus March 2009
2009 'Are design and Technology teachers able to meet the challenges inherent in the theme for this conference 'D&T - A Platform for Success'?' Presented at DATA 2009 Conference A Platform for Success, Loughborough University
International Referred Conference Papers
2000 'The Development of Creativity versus the need for High Levels of Performance in Design and Technology' Presented at WOCATE Technology Education Conference - Consequences and Coming Challenges as Engendered by a Global Perspective, W Theuerkauf & G Graube (Ed.) Published on CD.ISBN 3-3934822-01-0
2001 'An Exploration of Cognitive Style and Computer Aided Learning for the Perpective of the User and Designer of Such Materials' Presented at the BERA Conference Leeds - Sept 2001
2001 @Cognitive Styles and Computer Aided Learning (CAL): Exploring Designer and User Perspectives' in :I Mottier & M De Vries (Eds.) New Media in Technology Education - PATT11, Holland: Eindhoven University of Technology, pp3-14
2003 'An investigation into the relationship between preferred learning style and successful achievement in contrasting design and technology activities' in: J Dakers & M De Vries (Eds.) Pupils Attitudes to Technology - PATT13, Glasgow: University of Glasgow, pp185-192
2003 'The relationship between learning style preference, attitude to learning, appripriate prior knowledge and achievement in the context of computer aided learning in electronics' in: S Armstrong etal (Eds.) Bridging Theory & Practice - European Learning Styles Information network 8th Conference, Hull: Hull University pp29-40
2004 'A comparison of the relationship between creativity, learning style preference and achievement at GCSE and degree level in the context of design and technology project work@ in: E Norman, D Spendlove, P Grover and A Mitchell (Eds.) Creativity and Innovation: DATA International Research Conference, Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University, pp7-14
2005 'Does the preferred learning style of those training for a specific career differ depending upon age?' in: S Armstrong etal (Eds.) Enhancing Learning & Performance Through Styles - European learning styles information network 9th Conference, Guildford: University of Surrey. Abstract p8, Published on CD ISBN 1-84469-008-3
2005 'Does the preferred learning style of those training for a career in Design and Technology differ depending upon age?' In: E Norman, D Spendlove, P Grover and A Mitchell (Eds.) Inspire and Educate: DATA International Research Conference, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, pp9-17
2007 'Why can't I design as well as other people? I thought I understood the process and what was required', In: J Dakers (Ed.) PATT18: Teaching and Learning Technology Literacy in the Classroom, Glasgow, Universoty of Glasgow, pp202-207
2008 'New Intake: New Challenges' In: O Dagan and Kipperman (Eds.) PATT20: Critical Issues in Technology Education Conference, Tel Aviv, Israel, pp50-63
2008 ' The Shape of D&T Initial Teacher Training at Sunderland University' In: O Dagan and D Kipperman (Eds.) PATT20: Critical Issues in Technology Education Conference, Tel Aviv, Israel, pp306-320
External Engagement
External Examinership
Leeds Metropolitan; UG & PGCE, Sheffield Hallam; PGCE, Kings Alfred's College, Southampton; UG & PGCE, Loughborough University; UG & MA, Nottingham Trent; UG & PGCE, 3rd Year: University of Ulster Northern Ireland; PGCE D&T, 1st year Edgehill University, Secondary Undergraduate Programmes, Goldsmiths College London University: Periodic Programme/Departmental Review: BA DEsign Education & Technology
Examination of PhDs
2001 University of Huddersfield, The Attitudes of High School Pupils to Technology
2002 Strathclyde University Educative Interventions into Early Adolescents' Design Thinking
2005 Goldsmith' College London Creativity in a cuture of conformity: Recognising and rewarding creative endeavor in Design and Technology at Key Stage 3
2006 University of Sunderland Social Care, Workplace culture and the contribution of NVQ's on the way care is delivered
2007 University of Central England Co-Operative Learning in secondary design and technology classroom
2008 University of Central England Co-Oprative Learning in secondary design and technology classrooms
2009 University of Sunderland The Creative use of the tin-containing layer of float glass
2009 University of Tasmania Factors in the success of remote higher education students
2009 University of Edge Hill A comparison of pupil creativity in secondary education KS4 D&T with pupil creativity in supporting innovation in schools project and the implications for the findings
2009 University of Sunderland Teaching practices, influences & outcomes, in the adult ICT user skills classroom
2011 Loughborough University Investigating the Potential for New Media and New Technologies in Design and Technology Undergraduate Education
Examination of Professional Doctorate
2009 University of Sunderland A Contribution to Pharmacy Practice Education
Examination of MPhils
2004 Goldsmiths' College London, Describing Designing: Exploring descriptors of the act of designing
2006 University of Sunderland, An investigation into the education and training of electronic technicians employed in companies in the North East of England
2008 University of Sunderland, Exploring ITE Student Perspectives and Practices in Geographical Fieldwork: A Dis/Embodied Discours
