Development workshop for teachers led by UCL academic

Teachers had the opportunity to attend a stimulating online workshop presented by leading academic Dr Sai Loo, from the UCL Institute of Education.

The CPD event titled Action Research was aimed at anyone interested in research, education practice, addressing issues in education and solving problems, as well as all tutors of Higher Education courses run at New City College. Some teachers from other external organisations also dialled into the workshop.

It was hosted on TEAMS by Havering NCC Higher Education Research Hub and was well attended with many tutors wanting to benefit from the seminar led by the well-respected Dr Sai Loo.

As well as being an academic at University College London, Sai Loo is an author of research monographs and has also taught Accounting and Finance at Higher Education institutions on undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes. He has worked in industry as a Chartered Accountant and has had research articles, conference papers and keynote speeches published in over 130 publications.

NCC Havering Assistant Principal Dr Mark Smithers said the event had been a fantastic chance for college lecturers to develop and enhance their abilities through the workshop.

Joanna Georgiou, Teacher Education Lecturer based at the Ardleigh Green campus, said: “The meetings and guest speakers were inspiring and engaging and I am far more motivated to take up my own research now.”

Sixth Form Economics teacher Gordon Brodie said: “It was helpful to be involved in the NCC Research hub. The opportunity of learning from fellow FE practitioners and lecturers from the Institute of Education was both encouraging and informative.”

Dr Proma Khondkar, a lecturer in Biology and Chemistry at NCC Redbridge, said: “I found the session very informative and productive, especially the research methods used in educational research.”

Due to its success, another event was taking place this week with guest speaker Sam Jones from Bedford College holding a seminar on how to set up a successful research network in an FE College.