Jennifer Dandrea
Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
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Biography
I am a biologist with a keen interest in education and technology. My first degree was a B.Sc. (hons) in biology from the University of Bristol. This was a wide-ranging degree which covered topics in botany, zoology and psychology. After that I completed my Ph.D. in feto-maternal physiology at the University of Nottingham where I worked in the Academic Division of Child Health and also spent time working abroad at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.
I briefly left Nottingham University after completing my postgraduate degree to work for an anti-vivisection charity (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments) only to return in 2004, this time to work in Nursing as a lecturer in human anatomy and physiology. Here, I completed my PGCHE and am currently working on an M.A. in Learning, Technology and Education with the School of Education over on Jubilee Campus in order to improve my teaching skills and to broaden my research repertoire.
My main teaching responsibility is to pre-registration nursing students and I deliver sessions on human anatomy and physiology. I am joint module leader (with Tim Ford) for the biological sciences at Mansfield although I also teach on other modules as required. I run practical classes, facilitate student-led seminars and provide tutorials. I also audit clinical placements, teach clinical skills, support personal tutees and supervise research students.
At Mansfield, I also work as an e-mentor (along with Maureen Harris) helping staff integrate technology into their teaching and research and (along with Elaine Handford) I am the University's representative 'environmental champion' successfully campaigning, for example, for recycling facilities on site. Since 2006 I have worked and studied part-time as I also have two small children.
Expertise Summary
I have several areas of expertise:
Biological Sciences - I have worked with both animals and plants throughout my higher education. I have experience and knowledge about a variety of systems and organisms such as sheep blowflies, goldfish, sea turtles and, more recently, humans. I believe knowledge of comparative anatomy and physiology this gives me a wider perspective on human disease and behaviour. I have also considerable experience in animal husbandry having undertaken internships and veterinary surgeries and spent summers working as a farm-hand, sea turtle conservation volunteer and years as a stable girl. I therefore have first-hand experience about the use of animals for both farming and medicine and am conversant with the arguments both for and against the various systems and key legislation currently in use in the UK.
Research Methodology - I have over thirteen years' experience of practical laboratory experience and skills in planning, undertaking, managing and writing up experimentation in the field with both animal and human subjects (although not at the same time). I was taught to use quantitative statistics as part of my undergraduate degree and this was my method of analysis throughout my Ph.D. and postdoctoral researching years. Since starting in the Division of Nursing (in 2007) I have also learnt how to use qualitative methods, conducting several projects of my own. This training has culminated in my undertaking a taught M.A. course where I am writing my dissertation using qualitative methodology which is due for submission in May 2012.
Information Technology - I have been programming computers since I was small and as a postgraduate student I taught MS Office and related programmes to peers for the Graduate School. As a result of studying for my M.A. assignments and also in my capacity as an e-mentor, I keep up-to-date with the innovations in learning technology and this is enjoy using and working with I.T. I am very excited by the possibilities for students' learning with interconnected devices whilst always mindful that technology is just a tool to be used appropriately to meet a need, not just because it is there.
Professional Writing - I have a wide range of writing skills suitable for different situations: I have an A' level in English literature (grade A) and have written for publication since entering postgraduate education. As an undergraduate, I also had regular work experience at the local newspaper the Bristol Evening Post as well as summer internships at The Times (published) and The Daily Express in London. Whilst working at FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments) I was a scientific officer, responsible for communicating with other scientific organizations as well as the talking to the media, industry and the general public on the issues surrounding animal experimentation.
Teaching Summary
I principally teach anatomy and physiology. I have taught post-registration nurses as well as pre-registration nurses and midwives. At the moment I mainly teach on the pre-registration nursing… read more
Research Summary
I am currently engaged on the dissertation module of a two-year M.A. in Learning, Technology and Education. The provisional title is "Why Do E-Enthusiasts Not Use Technology in their Teaching?"
I undertook this course to inform my change in research direction from feto-maternal physiology (ovine and human) to the use of technology in education. My passion has always been the biological sciences - I find them fascinating - and I am keen to work to help others to understand and benefit from them.
I am also very interested in technology and have considerable experience with teaching IT software to other students. In my current role I am able to combine these interests of education, innovation and scientific understanding and this is the area I hope to pursue in future research.
I would also be keen to work as part of a group to develop modules and in addition to my more recent experience with qualitative research projects, I also have over ten years' experience with quantitative methodology, critical review, presentation skills and the ethics surrounding use of animals in medicine (I have also published several papers on this topic).
Recent Publications
WINDLE, R, MCCORMICK, D, DANDREA, J & WHARRAD HJ, 2010. The characteristics of reusable learning objects that enhance learning: A case-study in health-science education: Volume 42, Issue 5, pages 811–823, September 2011 British Journal of Educational Technology. 42(5), 811-823 WINDLE, R J, WHARRAD, H, MCCORMICK, D, DANDREA, J, BATH-HEXTALL, L F J, LEIGHTON, B, BENTLEY, E, LACEY, J, COOK, J AND HOLLEY, D, 2007. Does A Community Of Practice Approach To The Development of Learning Objects Support Reuse of E-Learning Materials In Health Science Education INTED2008 Proceedings Edited by L. Gómez Chova, D. Martí Belenguer, I. Candel Torres.
GARDNER, D.S., VAN BON, B.W.M., DANDREA, J., GODDARD, P.J., MAY, S.F., WILSON, V., STEPHENSON, T. and SYMONDS, M.E., 2006. Effect of periconceptional undernutrition and gender on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in young adult sheep Journal of Endocrinology. 190(2), 203-212 WINDLE, R J, MCCORMICK, D, WHARRAD, H, LAWRIE, A, FORD, T, DANDREA, J AND PALMER, C, 2006. Using e-learning activities to release the potential of peer-peer learning in vocational nurse training In: ALT-C 2006.
I principally teach anatomy and physiology. I have taught post-registration nurses as well as pre-registration nurses and midwives. At the moment I mainly teach on the pre-registration nursing diploma but that is mainly because of time limitations as I work part-time as well as trying to finish my M.A. dissertation.
I am able to teach all aspects of a&p at this level but as a result of my Ph.D. which investigated the fetal origins of adult conditions like type II diabetes and heart disease, I have specialist interest in epidemiology, nutrition, pregnancy and developmental physiology. However, other favourite topics include immunology, cytology and fluid balance...
I would be keen to get involved in other areas of teaching too - principally research methodology, ethics and critical thinking.
Past Research
My Ph.D. and post-doc work investigated the effects of (suboptimal, prinicipally) maternal nutrition on fetal development and the onset of adult illness e.g. type II diabtetes and cardiovascular disease. The work was carried out in the Academic Division of Child Health at Nottingham University and I also spent time at the School of Veterinary Sciences at Cornell University in New York state. I published and presented extensively on this topic and the work was both lab-based and in the field (literally).
My initial involvement in this area, however, actually stemmed from a long-standing interest in animal welfare. I was able to pioneer use of an improved welfare system for automatically taking repeated blood samples from unrestrained ewes. This work was carried out in conjunction with the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute in Aberdeen. This has also been presented.
Future Research
I am interested in researching and developing the practical and innovative use of technology in teaching. I am passionate about delivering high quality teaching and engaging with students and conveying my own enthusiasm for science (and biology in particular). To this end, I have already designed several learning resources to support students and I hope to continue working in this field using educational need (rather than technological possibilities) as my driver.
I would be very interested to hear from others who would like to work together on projects concerning the effective delivery of information for students, promoting student involvement and engagement in their learning and the innovative use of technology.