About

Dr Noreen Dunnett

Educational Researcher/Digital Education Consultant

My doctorate from the University of Edinburgh (distance learner) was completed in November 2020.. My PhD research took a sociomaterial approach to disengagement from learning, exploring the possibilities for intervention through an understanding of the typical characteristics of school and digital gaming settings and how they might inform one another. My other research interests include the links between narrative, motivation and gaming and the use of Twitter as a learning environment.

Until recently I was an online tutor on the Masters programme in Digital Education at the University of Edinburgh and also a co-tutor and guest lecturer (game-based learning) at Bishop Grosseteste University on the Education in the Digital Era and Education Contexts module.

My interest in games as a learning approach or experience began with my time as the Education Liaison for Games Britannia Schools Videogame Festival, in Rotherham for July 2012. I acted as a judge for the annual schools’ game design competition for three years up to June 2014.

After 23 years as a teacher in English secondary schools and a sixth form college I pursued my passion for education in other contexts, from university settings to working for a creative and design company developing online learning and games for companies, including the BBC Christmas lectures. I am an experienced writer and content manager with a background in applying curriculum-based learning principles to web-based and desktop games and applications. I have developed an education pack to accompany the Soundgate app, developed by Professor Rupert Till at the University of Huddersfield, as part of the European Music Archaelogy Project. Prior to this, I wrote and developed CPD and support materials for the former General Qualifications Support Programme site and developed and built activities for the Exploring the Workplace and Mentoring sections of the Diploma Support site which won the DADI 2010 Award for best Public Sector website.

Add What You Do
  • Acting as consultant for schools in implementing and developing online and blended learning
  • Writing and developing online educational content
  • Research around technology and learning in primary and secondary schools
  • Online tutoring in Education at Masters and undergraduate level