Annie Eardley

Profile

I am a French national but have lived in the United Kingdom for over 30 years. 

I have worked for the Open University since 1994 since the onset  of language courses, first as an Associate Lecturer and then as a Staff Tutor based in the North West of England.

I have tutored on 3 French courses, been an author on the beginners course and on the Intermediate French course.  Furthermore, I am heavily involved at central level being part of several department and faculty committees.

I have also worked on the French residential programme as an author, a tutor and a course director.  I was responsible for the delivery of the course on our UK site, adapting the Caen-based programme to a Manchester environment.  I have also adapted the programme for delivery on line and by telephone. 

When the Department of Languages introduced Lyceum, a synchronous on-line voice and visual programme as an alternative to face-to-face tutorials,  I designed material for use on the environment and have since been involved in the training of both tutors and students on the environment.  With the introduction of Elluminate, I have continued providing support to tutors and students as well as other academic colleagues.

As part of my regional duties, beside managing a team of part-time Associate Lecturers and being involved in the running of regional activities as a whole, I am Chair of the Associate Lecturer Staff Development Group responsible for the generic training of tutors based in the North West. 

I am Chair of 3 language associations for alumni with over 200 members which offer a range of events to their members including thematic days with  outside speakers, discussion days with native speakers, book circles and cinema visits.

Before joining the Open University, I ran my own business providing languages services to local industry including tuition, interpreting and translation and worked in Adult Education, Further Education and as a Lector for the University of Manchester.

Teaching Interests

• Language teaching
• On-line teaching
• Staff Development of teachers

Research Interests

I am interested on how to make best use of new technology in teaching, including using Mobile Technology, Voice Conferencing software and resources repositories.

Current Research

Mobile language learning : To evaluate the use of mobile technology in language learning
To evaluate voice response tools to foster listening and speaking skills and deliver summative and formative assessment

Publications