Jean is currently on secondment to DCU as Head of the Learning Innovation Unit. Her role involves the support of academic staff in all aspects of teaching and learning, particularly with respect to developing new and innovative approaches to learning. She also has responsibility for the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). Jean graduated from DCU in 1988, with a degree in Computer Applications and subsequently completed an MBA in DCUBS. She is currently doing a Doctorate in Education in Queens University Belfast.

She worked in Bank of Ireland and GE Superabrasives Ireland before moving to teach Information Systems in the first Dublin based Regional Technical College in Tallaght (now ITT Dublin). In IT Tallaght she was responsible for developing computing courses at Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels, specialising in modules in Database, Systems Design, Project Management and Emerging Technologies.

In 2000 Jean moved as Senior Lecturer to Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT). Between 2001 and 2005 she held posts of Head of Department and Head of School, managing programmes in Multimedia Systems, Psychology Applied to Information Technology, Digital Media Technology and eBusiness Systems. Jean also gave leadership to developing the eLearning infrastructure in IADT, establishing and chairing both the eLearning Steering Group and the eLearning Interest Group. She was also a member of the IADT Partnership Committee, which she chaired for a year.

As the IADT representative on the management committee of Blackrock Education Centre, Jean became involved in the area of eLearning in Primary Schools. She was responsible for the instructional design aspects of www.somethingfishy.ie , the first online, bilingual, educational resource designed for, and tailored to, the primary school curriculum. This was developed using an innovative collaboration between IADT, Blackrock Education Centre and the Central Fisheries Board. She has also developed resources and run courses in the use of eLearning for primary school teachers. She developed and delivered the first fully online in-service professional development programme in conjunction with the Blackrock Education Centre. Jean researches in all aspects of pedagogy, in particular the use of reflective practice by both teachers and students.

Recent Presentations/Publications include:

• The use of images for Reflective Practice CARN/PRAR Conference, Utrecht November 2005
• Cannon, S and Hughes J. Learning Our Way Forward Through eLearning and Fish. Education and Information Technologies; Issue: Volume 10, Number 3 , July 2005; Pages: 157 - 163; Title: Learning for the Twenty-First Century: What Really Matters?
• Learning Our Way Forward Through eLearning and Fish IFIP Conference, Budapest June 2004
• Something Fishy ILTA Conference, Tralee, May 2004
• Designing eContent Cyprus Computer Society Conference, Nicosia, December 2003

Contactable on: 01 7006181 or jean.hughes@dcu.ie