About Laurie
I blog as a way of trying to capture where I have been and where I am going. Also as a way of keeping track of some of the people, places and ideas that I have come across along the way.
Any views or opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own. As a way of cutting down on spam I review comments from those who have not contributed to my blog in the past.
Since the summer of 2009 I have been working as an independent consultant in the area of learning and technology futures; working with a range of public, private and not for profit organisations. I have worked for multinational IT corporations, the main Scottish teachers’ trade union, small start-up companies and national public sector organisations.
I do a little bit of public speaking but prefer the role of trusted adviser working on long-term projects and programmes. I like to work with my clients to put any advice I offer into practice by building capacity and supporting change – rather than writing long-winded reports destined to gather dust with recommendations will never be implemented.
Apart from ongoing assignments my current portfolio includes:
- Visiting Professor of Learning and Technology at the University of Abertay Dundee – working within the Institute for Media, Arts and Computer Games
- Associate Director at Futurelab
I was until June 2009 Director of Learning and Technology at Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) and led the Glow national schools intranet project
At LTS I had a wide ranging remit apart from Glow including the LTS Online Service, Scottish Learning Festival and Corporate ICT support to LTS staff.
Before LTS I was with Dundee City Council in the role of ICT adviser.
I joined LTS in June 2001 as Head of Future Learning and Teaching and held the posts of Head of ICT Development, Director of ICT Development and Director of ICT before a reorganisation left me with the title Director of Learning and Technology.
I also have had experience as an elected member of Dundee District Council, serving as Convener of Community Services and Deputy Convener of Finance.
Following my masters degree I was invited to become an honorary fellow and part-time lecturer teaching the postgraduate MSc/MEd at the University of Edinburgh.