Computer Networks; Congestion Control; Multimedia; Quality of Service; Virtual Museum; Virtual Reality; Climate Action

Current research projects include :

LeGE-WG: Learning Grid of Excellence Working Group. (Framework V NoE). August 2002 - July 2004: 14,000 euros (St Andrews)

The working group brings together experts and practioners associated with e-Learning across Europe. One of main concerns being expressed is that the dominant learning paradigm adopted by e-Learning is that of information transfer i.e. the teachers role is primarily to select and present information to the learner. In current e-Learning the information is placed on the Web. The effectiveness of this approach is extremely limited, as is its use of technology. One means of progressing a more effective use of technology in learning is to facilitate a paradigm shift. The new paradigm focuses on knowledge construction using experiential and collaborative learning approaches in a contextualised, personalised and ubiquitous way. This is a synergistic approach, sometimes called human centred design, where human learning is considered a social, constructive phenomenon occurring as a side effect of interactions, conversations and enhanced presence in dynamically formed communities. The working group is studying the suitability of the open Grid technologies as a means of supporting the new paradigm.

Visualising internet congestion control : Since the late 1980s the Internet has depended upon algorithms imbedded in the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to prevent control congestion. TCPs Slow Start algorithm, which quickly probes the network for available bandwidth may have a significant effect on the average behaviour of short to medium connections.

TAGS: Tutor and Group Support Scheme : TAGS is a framework for constructing, deploying and managing distributed learning environments (DLEs). It has been developed through pilots in several subject areas at six Scottish HEIs in support of accredited degree programmes.

INSIDE: An Institutionally Secure Integrated Data Environment: Addresses the problems for users of University Information Systems stemming from the current lack of integration.

ASSETS: A Strategic Service for Educational Materials and Services : The Assets project has created an operational service for a highly diverse set of educational materials and online services. QoS considerations that are now being addressed include scalability, reliability and availability. Replication, is an attractive strategy as it can potentially meet these QoS requirements. Some materials only require simple mirroring, but many interactive materials have their own semantics and need particular synchronisation mechanisms to support replication across multiple servers. This provides interesting challenges in distributed systems.

Fellow of Higher Education Academy, PhD, University of Glasgow; MsC IT, Software and Systems, University of Glasgow; BA, Politics, University of York