Teaching Philosophy

Link: Read My Teaching Philosophy Here

Portfolio

[CPD] Online 3D Character Development Unit Experience in 2020

[Animation in Teaching] Hugsy Showing Off is a humorous animation created to enhance student engagement. The aim was to encourage students to render their creations (eg. 3D characters, props, machines etc.) and submit them for showreel consideration. This blog post accompanied the video, to help students structure their technique when preparing a character for rendering. The details presented in the article can be applied to other types of models as well.

What Do I Teach?

My current role is as unit leader for four units on the BSc Computer Animation and Visual Effects course at Manchester Metropolitan University. The units are 3D Character Development (unit replaced with Modelling from 2022), Modelling, Rigging for Level 5 students and Character Animation Techniques for Level 6 students. Before this lecturing post, I undertook an Engineering Doctorate research role with the Centre for Digital Entertainment at The University of Bath. There my research in the field of computer animation was combined with lab tutoring in adjacent subjects. I also taught one year on the units mentioned before becoming unit leader for them.

Mottos

“The best way to learn is to teach.” (Richard Feynman)

“Good teachers join self, subject and students into the fabric of life.” (Parker J. Palmer)

“Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain – unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10 – 20 repetitions.” (Dr Karin Purvis)