Dr Phil Anthony of the University’s E-Learning Team has been awarded the title of Learning Technologist of the Year 2021 by the Association for Learning Technology (ALT).
This prestigious international prize, judged by an expert panel including leading scholars in digital education, recognises excellent practice and outstanding achievement in the field of Technology Enhanced Learning.
As one of the Learning Technologists in Kent’s E-Learning Team, Dr Anthony created the Digitally Enhanced Education (DEE) webinar series in 2020, an online event bringing together experts and prestigious speakers from around the world to share practice, exchange ideas and forge professional relationships.
The DEE webinar series has a global audience of over 3,400 people and has focused on a range of topics including online pedagogy, digital accessibility, electronic assessment and post-pandemic teaching.
Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Kent, said: ‘The light shone on learning technology during the pandemic has, perhaps, never been brighter. In rising to the challenges that this created, Phil has spearheaded the formation of a community to share best practice and provide a forum for a global audience working in this area. This has been a phenomenal achievement and has benefited numerous learning technologists, teachers and students.’
Kent E-Learning Manager Daniel Clark added: ‘This is an absolutely outstanding achievement for Phil and is richly deserved. The Digitally Enhanced Education webinar series is now internationally-recognised and this is a testament to Phil’s determination, enthusiasm and drive to build a thriving community where academics, practitioners, and fellow Technology Enhanced Learning professionals can share ideas and learn from others. On a broader level, I think this demonstrates Kent’s commitment to delivering an outstanding digital teaching and learning experience for our staff and students.’
On being named Learning Technologist of the Year 2021, Dr Anthony said: ‘It’s a real honour to receive the Learning Technologist of the Year award, especially this year with such strong competition. I would like to thank my team for their support and making it possible for me to win this award. I really enjoy the work I do and am grateful to all the inspiring staff and students I work with here at the University of Kent.’
