School staff
Personal profile
Nigel Zanker is currently the Programme Leader for PGCE/MSc Design and Technology Initial Teacher Education, a position held since 1994.
After graduating from Sheffield University in Physiology, Zoology and Electronics he trained as a teacher specialising in science and technology. Positions of responsibility, during twelve years of teaching in state-funded secondary schools, included Head of Departments of Science, Technology and TVEI Curriculum Development, Chief Examiner for GCSE; and pastoral experience as Head of House.
In 1989 he was appointed to Loughborough University as a Research Associate for developing in-service course for practicing teachers to deliver the National Curriculum. This led to appointment as a lecturer, specialising in teacher training and technology teaching.
He has experience as an Ofsted Inspector and Accredited Trainer for the Electronics in Schools Strategy. He is an External Examiner and a Faculty Advisor for the Open University. He is published in ICT education, design education, curriculum evaluation and citizenship. His principal interests are pupil's technological capability and the use of new technologies in teaching and learning in design education.
Teaching
- DSP901 - Professional Studies
- DSP902 - Practical Teaching
- DSP903 - Professional Studies
- DSP904 - Practical Teaching
- DSA004 - Foundation Technology (BA Route)
- DSB012 - Teaching Design and Technology
- DSP900 - General Professional Studies
- DSP913 - The NQT Year and Induction (Design and Technology)
- DSP914 - Advancing Pedagogic Knowledge in Design and Technology
- DSP916 - Teaching Design and Technology Research Project
Research
Research group: Design Education.
Contributions to the Design Education Research Group include the archive of the National Association for Design Education (NADE).
Current research projects are: 'Social and Emotional Aspects of Teaching Project'; the 'Datalogger in Schools Project' in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University; and 'Folklore and the Transmission' of "Kimono" Culture in collaboration with Yokohama National University (Japan).
Member of the Initial Teacher Education Advisory Group for the Design and Technology Association. This group seeks opportunities for collaborative research opportunities and advises on matters relevant to the Association's Annual International Research Conference, for which Nigel Zanker is an academic referee.
Featured publications
- Norman E, Mitchell A, Zanker N, Paterson A (2009), 'Developing the research infrastructure for design and technology education in England (and beyond)', PATT-22 Conference: Strengthening Technology in the School Curriculum, Delft, 24 28 August 2009.
- Zanker N (2008), 'Teaching Materials Technology', Owen-Jackson G (ed), Learning to Teach Design and Technology in the Secondary School, Abingdon: Routledge.
- Zanker N (2006), 'Designed for Citizenship? Innovation, Technology and Social Responsibility', Breslin T and Dufour B (eds), Developing Citizens, A Comprehensive Introduction to Effective Citizenship Education in the Secondary School, London: Hodder and Stoughton, ISBN 0 340 92682 1.
- Zanker N (2005), 'Is the steady hand game an appropriate project for this decade? An analysis of the factors why teacher trainees in an ITT partnership are not moving projects forward', Norman E, Spendlove D and Grover P (eds), Inspire and Educate: DATA International Research Conference 2005, Wellesbourne: DATA.