Mr Alexander Moseley

National Teaching Fellow 2013 At the University of Leicester Alex Moseley has had extensive experience in teaching, learning and research: principally in course design and development, but also in the Humanities and games-based spheres. He has a background in Archaeology, which fuelled his desire for exploration, uncovering mysteries and using whatever tool was needed to get the job done. This helped him to work across disciplines, and develop teaching in applied information technology for students, and training in appropriate use of learning technologies for staff. He developed interests in the wider curriculum design process, and has since specialised in programme development, online and distance education, and in student engagement with learning. He now takes a strategic role in developing institutional policy and support in these areas, most recently crowd-sourcing the institutions first virtual learning environment (VLE) policy. Alex's primary research area, and most innovative practice, stems from an experience he had when picking up an intriguing postcard in a weekend paper. The postcard turned out to be a door into the fascinating world of alternate reality games, and after playing for a few months Alex was amazed at how players would spend hours at a time working together to solve complex puzzles. He began a year of action research, and identified features of the game which could be transferred to education to increase engagement and community development. Integrating these with his own practice, a highly successful games-based course The Great History Conundrum was born, encouraging students to develop advanced research skills by solving puzzles whilst battling for a grand prize; and this effective approach is now used in other disciplines. Alex combines this interest in playful approaches with his love of the past to teach other innovative courses within Museum Studies and Archaeology. Alex has written books and articles on games in education, blogs regularly, and runs workshops to help other staff develop games quickly and efficiently. He was part of the team behind the first charity alternative reality game 'Operation: Sleeper Cell', co-chairs the Association for Learning Technology special interest group on Games and Learning, co-organises the 'Let's Change the Game' cross-sector conference, and works with museums on developing playful approaches to education.