Profile
Sheryl Williams
Curriculum Vitae
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Work History:
First job (at 16)was a private ( Maths and Physics) tutor. After University Trainee Manager for 1 year. Then high school (A’ levels Maths and Physics) teacher. Part time lecturer all in Jamaica. Then in the UK Research Associate on a big European project
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Current Job:
Flexible/Distance Learning Manager and Academic Learning Support Officer
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Employer:
Loughborough University
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About Me
Passionate about technology in Education, a STEM ambassador, badminton player and avid tennis fan
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My work is a big part of my life but I think everyone should have some things that they do for fun.
So I play lots of badminton, I am currently a member of the Loughborough Badminton Club and Leicestershire Master County Team, where I play mixed and ladies doubles.
I was lucky enough to be volunteer at the London 2012 Olympics and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games where I worked with badminton players on the practice venues and organising practice sessions. I met so many of the players I have been watching for years, and of course got loads of autographs, pins and photos.
I also love watching tennis live and travels to the different tournaments collecting autographs and photos with the tennis stars. I have a vast collection which include top players like Serena Williams, Sir Andy Murray and Roger Federer to name a few. I still need to go the Australian and the French Opens to complete the Grand Slam tournaments, they are on my to do list.
Another passion of mine is photography and I hope that one day I will be able to take amazing landscape photos, I am building my skills every day.
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My Work
My main role is supporting academics in the development of their teaching ( distance learning and on-campus), especially in the area using more technology to engage their students.
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An example of how I support the integration of technology in teaching is the development of our award winning PV remote lab. Where students studying one of our distance learning module get to control an equipment based at Loughborough from anywhere they are in the world through the internet 24/7. Through a web cam the students can see the physical apparatus of the experiment. Students can set and measure irradiance levels from an LED light source, control the temperature of the PV panels, change the PV panels on a turntable, and take IV curve and download their data to write the report.
I am also a warden for one of Loughborough halls of residence, where I provide pastoral care for 320 freshers and returning students. In this job I get to help students get settled into university life and it is great to see them develop into young adults over the period they are at Uni.
I also volunteer as a STEM ambassador, as I have a great passion to inspire the next generation of engineers. We have been running a very popular solar car activity since 2004, since then we have had more than 5000 people build our car and last year our 2000th car was made.
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My Typical Day: Spent mostly at my desk discussing and working on new ideas with my team sometimes broken up with a few meetings or giving workshops/presentations on how to use new technologies.
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My typical day is not that interesting. However, I have some crazy busy days when I have things to sort out for my main role, a STEM outreach event and activities in halls.
So on these days I would have to for example do a demo of the remote lab, I might need to fix it if there is a problem and explain to others how they could develop something similar.
Then I would have an outreach activity for a couple of hours where we have 30 or more school kids visiting and we go through the solar car activity with them. We usually see some wacky designs and get some amazing cars built.
Then in the evening I need to attend an event in hall like our High Tables or Quiz night.
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What I'd do with the money
I would use the money to buy some solar gadgets to use as prizes for winners and solar panels to give to all the students who participate in our solar car activity.
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Currently, when we run our solar car activity we give prizes for the fastest car these can sometimes be quite random. However, most time the students would prefer to take home the little solar car they have made, this is not possible as they usually create this in a group and we reuse the material. So having a stock of solar gadgets and solar panels which we could use as prizes and to also give to all participants so that they can continue to explore the concepts they learnt in the session would be great.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Enthusiastic, Positive and fun
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
Build a remote lab and becoming a STEM ambassador
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Maths and Physics teacher
What's your favourite food?
Jerk chicken
What is the most fun thing you've done?
skydive for charity
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