Janet was assigned as a virtual intern to support the development of blended learning materials for Bath Spa University's teacher education program. She took time to understand the context and needs, and developed high quality materials that were well-suited to the program. Janet's knowledge of educational technology and experience teaching helped her provide exciting ideas to enhance learning. Working with Janet was an enjoyable experience that increased the lecturer's confidence in using new approaches to technology and pedagogy.

1. Janet was assigned to work with me as a virtual intern as part of her Masters programme. The aim of the
internship was to support the development of blended learning materials on the Bath Spa University PGCE
(pre­service teacher education programme). We met online via Google Hangouts and email in order to discuss
my needs, plan and review the materials that Janet developed for us. She took care to establish a personal
connection and trust, even though we were working remotely and only able to communicate online. She has
been punctual, available and a clear communicator throughout the time she has worked with me.
From the start, Janet was a pleasure to work with. She drew on her considerable experience of teaching in
schools and working with pre­service teachers in order to understand the context in which I was working and
my aims in relation to developing blended learning materials and pedagogy. Her knowledge and experience of
using and developing educational technologies was also evident throughout her work with me. She was very
quick to understand my context and gauged my knowledge and confidence accurately so that our discussions
were lively and well informed exchanges of ideas.
She evaluated existing materials that I shared with her, balancing positive feedback with exciting and
challenging ideas about how to build on these. She formulated a plan, including several options, that she
presented clearly to me. She listened to my feedback and responded to questions so that it was a genuinely
collaborative experience.
Ultimately she produced materials that were extremely well suited to my needs and those of my colleagues
and students. She made sure that the materials were accessible to me in terms of the use of technology so
that I could use and develop them. They were of high quality in terms of content and pedagogy and we will be
using them with students at the start of the next academic year. There are also many ideas and strategies that
will be used in other aspects of the PGCE programme to enhance learning through the use of technology. Her
work will have an impact beyond the materials she produced during the internship.
Working with Janet has been a very enjoyable and thought provoking experience. I’m looking forward to using
her materials with our students and evaluating the impact on their learning and our teaching. I will also be
using many of the strategies and tools in the development of other learning materials and sharing these with
my colleagues on the programme. She has moved my understanding of educational technology and pedagogy
forward and increased my confidence to take risks and explore new approaches to enhance our students’
learning experiences, providing a model that they can take into their teaching careers in schools. I only wish
Janet could work with our team on a long term basis, so that I and others could benefit from her enthusiasm,
knowledge and support. As it is, she has given me much to take forward and greater confidence to be
innovative in curriculum and pedagogical development.
Emma Asprey
Senior Lecturer in Education
Bath Spa University