Experience

Dundee and Angus College
• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee
• Regional Chair

  • Jul 2022 - Present


Abertay University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Development Director (Future Learning)

  • Nov 2016 - Present

  Working within the School of Design and Informatics to advise, coach and mentor academic staff as they explore innovations in learning, teaching, assessment and technology. Working within the School of Design and Informatics to advise, coach and mentor academic staff as they explore innovations in learning, teaching, assessment and technology.



Laurie O'Donnell Ltd

• E-Learning Providers

• Director

  • Jul 2009 - Present

  Consultant working in the areas of learning, technology and innovation. Clients drawn from across public, private and third sectors. [Update: In the process of winding-up company as most work now is as employee rather than self-employed.] http://laurieodonnell.co.uk Consultant working in the areas of learning, technology and innovation. Clients drawn from across public, private and third sectors. [Update: In the process of winding-up company as most work now is as employee rather than self-employed.] http://laurieodonnell.co.uk



Future Skills College

• South Africa

• Chief Executive/SCIO Trustee

  • Oct 2016 - Jan 2022

  This project has now been fully integrated into the mainstream senior phase options for Dundee and Angus College. Charity that was established to support this initiative has been wound-up. I keep a close eye on developments but no longer have a formal role. Leading the strategic operation and development of this new initiative. FSC is designed to completely close the gap between education and employment. Employers with vacancies for apprentices or trainees a year hence are recruited first. FSC then appears as a S5/6 course choice option for students across all of the schools involved. FSC opened on 5 June 2017 with 29 young people from schools in Dundee and Angus. FSC is a collaboration between D&A College, Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Skills Development Scotland, D&A Chamber of Commerce, D&A DYW, Helm Training, University of Dundee, 4J Studios and Northwood Charitable Trust. Students remain on their school rolls but come together at the Gardyne Campus of D&A College. They spend two days completing their school qualifications plus enrichment activities such as Duke of Edinburgh. Two days following specific work related college courses and one day on work placement with what will be their future employer. The plan was to scale the model from 30 students in 2017/18 to around 200 students within 5 years. Due to COVID-19 this ambition shifted to trying to keep the project going with a view to scaling-up in the longer-term. Show less



Systematic Learning Ltd

• Education Consultant/Managing Director

  • Dec 2014 - May 2020

  Educational technology start-up working in the area of reading, writing and computer games. Working on the development of new approach to teaching reading and writing in English. The Tap Tap Bat programme was designed by linguist and language learning expert Justin Majzub. Company was unsuccessful in securing sufficient investment to develop a new game-based approach to early literacy. Project on hold and I am no longer involved. Educational technology start-up working in the area of reading, writing and computer games. Working on the development of new approach to teaching reading and writing in English. The Tap Tap Bat programme was designed by linguist and language learning expert Justin Majzub. Company was unsuccessful in securing sufficient investment to develop a new game-based approach to early literacy. Project on hold and I am no longer involved.



Classlist

• United Kingdom
• Internet Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Scottish Lead

  • Oct 2015 - Dec 2017

  Initial Scottish lead for parental communications start-up. Worked with parent councils and other school/parent organisations to identify functionality for system that would enhance communication and engagement for parents of school age children. Initial Scottish lead for parental communications start-up. Worked with parent councils and other school/parent organisations to identify functionality for system that would enhance communication and engagement for parents of school age children.



Royal Society of Edinburgh

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Member of Young People's Committee

  • Sep 2014 - Sep 2017

  Served three years on this committee ending September 2017. Main role was to support officers who were exploring a digital broadcasting strategy. Served three years on this committee ending September 2017. Main role was to support officers who were exploring a digital broadcasting strategy.



The Memory Box Network

• United Kingdom
• Medical Practices

• Chief Operating Officer (consultant/volunteer)

  • Feb 2013 - Apr 2017

  Leadership and management of the day-to-day operations of start-up tech charity. Exploring the use of reminiscence therapy for people affected by dementia through our online platform ourbigbox.com Leadership and management of the day-to-day operations of start-up tech charity. Exploring the use of reminiscence therapy for people affected by dementia through our online platform ourbigbox.com

• Visiting Professor of Learning Innovation and Technology

  • May 2009 - May 2016

  Associated with the School of Design and Informatics as well as the UK Centre of Excellence for Computer Games Education at Abertay. Associated with the School of Design and Informatics as well as the UK Centre of Excellence for Computer Games Education at Abertay.


Cavell Group
• United Kingdom
• Telecommunications
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Consulting Associate

  • Nov 2013 - Oct 2014

Education Impact
• France
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Associate Fellow

  • Jan 2014 - Mar 2014


KNeo World

• United States
• E-Learning Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Learning Consultant

  • Aug 2011 - Oct 2013

  Advising on fun games for learning that help to promote higher-order skills. Advising on fun games for learning that help to promote higher-order skills.



Futurelab

• South Africa
• IT Services and IT Consulting

• Associate Director

  • Aug 2009 - Aug 2012

  Advised CEO until Futurelab was absorbed into NFER. Main project was a collaboration on schools of the future between Ricardo Semler's Lumiar Foundation, Microsoft and Futurelab. Advised CEO until Futurelab was absorbed into NFER. Main project was a collaboration on schools of the future between Ricardo Semler's Lumiar Foundation, Microsoft and Futurelab.



Learning & Teaching Scotland

• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • Aug 2004 - Jun 2009

  Leadership of educational technology CPD support and online services to Scottish schools. Director of Corporate IT. Lead role for the management and development of the Scottish Learning Festival (SLF).

• • Oct 2003 - Aug 2004

• • Jun 2001 - Oct 2003



The Corner Health and Information Project for Young People

• Chair of Board of Management

  • 2002 - 2006

  Worked closely with funders, NHS Tayside and Dundee City City, to ensure continuity of vital services to young people. Led organisational review to confirm secure and sustainable future for The Corner. Worked closely with funders, NHS Tayside and Dundee City City, to ensure continuity of vital services to young people. Led organisational review to confirm secure and sustainable future for The Corner.



Dundee City Council

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• ICT Adviser/Development Officer

  • Jun 1999 - Jun 2001

  Working across all pre-school, primary and secondary schools in Dundee. Lead role in the local implementation of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL Scotland) and New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT training for all teachers in Dundee. Chair of national ICT advisers professional group. Working across all pre-school, primary and secondary schools in Dundee. Lead role in the local implementation of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL Scotland) and New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT training for all teachers in Dundee. Chair of national ICT advisers professional group.



University of Edinburgh

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Honorary Fellow/Lecturer (part-time)

  • Oct 1993 - Sep 2000

  Teaching philosophy of education course - 'Concepts and Controversies in Education' - to post-graduate students studying for the MSc/MEd. Teaching philosophy of education course - 'Concepts and Controversies in Education' - to post-graduate students studying for the MSc/MEd.


Various Scottish local authorities
• Assistant head teacher, principal teacher & classroom teacher

  • Aug 1986 - Jun 1999


Dundee District Council

• Community Services Convener/Depute Finance Convener

  • May 1992 - May 1996

  Elected member of local authority. Lead role in 'enhancing the quality of democracy' in the City. Working with community councils, tenants' groups and voluntary organisations to ensure their voices were heard by policy makers. Led on public engagement with local planning process. Led 'Give Youth a Chance' consultation and policy development initiative. Finance Department role as depute with lead responsibility for supporting the development of IT to enhance local authority services. Show less