Stephen Molyneux
Encyclopedia
Steve Molyneux, is a British educational technologist
, Apple Distinguished Educator and Apple Education Mentor. His recent fame results from him resigning as a Justice of the Peace
on 25 April 2009 due to an issue over his use of Twitter in reporting the outcome of public case hearings. Whilst not forced to resign, Molyneux took the stance that Justice should be seen to be transparent and that Social Networking technologies such as Twitter was a way forward in achieving this. Three months after he resigned the Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced that the Crown Prosecution Service would publish the outcome of cases on the Internet.
After spending 16 years in the multimedia and education Industry working for ATARI, AriolaSoft and the German Ministry of Education and Science, Molyneux returned to the UK in 1991 when he founded, together with John Rodgers of TIME, the European Multimedia Awards. During the 1990s the EMMAs became one of the most prestigious awards in the Multimedia Industry, attracting as sponsors and judges pioneers of multimedia such as Douglas Adams
.
In 1995, whilst holding the Microsoft Chair of Advanced Learning Technologies at the University of Wolverhampton
, he developed one of the first Virtual Learning Environments.
In 1996, as a British Association for the Advancement of Science (now the British Science Association) media fellow, he developed with Ed Briffa, Editor of the BBC Science programme Tomorrow's World
, one of the first real-time online science magazines. The magazine was set up to report live from the Annual Festival of Science held at University of Birmingham
and reporters included Vivienne Parry, Philippa Forrester
and Craig Doyle
.
In 2002 he was appointed by Estelle Morris, the then Secretary of Education as a member of the Post-16 eLearning Strategy Taskforce. The taskforce was chaired by Steve Morrison, CEO of ITV
. The report was published in July 2002 under the title "Getting on with IT".
In 2003 he proposed and attracted funding for an "e-Innovation Centre" at the University which could combine the research and development skills of the Higher Education sector with that of Industry to promote Internet-based start-up companies. In October 2010, UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced £200 million to develop such technology centres as part of the government strategy to enhance UK growth.
In 2005 he was appointed advisor to the UK Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to monitor the evaluation of a Defence Training Review
initiative.
Molyneux works closely with Cambridge University Press
and Abilene Christian University
in Texas on redefining the 'textbooks' and the use of technologies to support mobile learning.
He is a patron of Shropshire
Young Enterprise
and from 2003-2006 was Mayor of Oakengates
where he currently resides. He broadcasts occasionally on BBC Radio Shropshire
Morning Show on issues relating to technology and in October 2009 was elected to the West Midlands regional committee of the British Science Association.
Educational technologist
An educational technologist is someone who is trained in the field of educational technology. Educational technologists try to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate process and tools for to enhance learning .- See also :* Instructional technology...
, Apple Distinguished Educator and Apple Education Mentor. His recent fame results from him resigning as a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
on 25 April 2009 due to an issue over his use of Twitter in reporting the outcome of public case hearings. Whilst not forced to resign, Molyneux took the stance that Justice should be seen to be transparent and that Social Networking technologies such as Twitter was a way forward in achieving this. Three months after he resigned the Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced that the Crown Prosecution Service would publish the outcome of cases on the Internet.
After spending 16 years in the multimedia and education Industry working for ATARI, AriolaSoft and the German Ministry of Education and Science, Molyneux returned to the UK in 1991 when he founded, together with John Rodgers of TIME, the European Multimedia Awards. During the 1990s the EMMAs became one of the most prestigious awards in the Multimedia Industry, attracting as sponsors and judges pioneers of multimedia such as Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams
Douglas Noel Adams was an English writer and dramatist. He is best known as the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which started life in 1978 as a BBC radio comedy before developing into a "trilogy" of five books that sold over 15 million copies in his lifetime, a television...
.
In 1995, whilst holding the Microsoft Chair of Advanced Learning Technologies at the University of Wolverhampton
University of Wolverhampton
The University of Wolverhampton is a British university located on four campuses across the West Midlands and Shropshire. The city campus is located in Wolverhampton city centre with a second campus at Compton Park, Wolverhampton; a third in Walsall and a fourth in Telford...
, he developed one of the first Virtual Learning Environments.
In 1996, as a British Association for the Advancement of Science (now the British Science Association) media fellow, he developed with Ed Briffa, Editor of the BBC Science programme Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
, one of the first real-time online science magazines. The magazine was set up to report live from the Annual Festival of Science held at University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
and reporters included Vivienne Parry, Philippa Forrester
Philippa Forrester
Philippa Forrester is an English television and radio presenter, producer and author. Having presented shows such as Tomorrow's World, The Heaven and Earth Show and Robot Wars, she now makes wildlife programmes with her husband, Charlie Hamilton James.-Education:Forrester was educated at Westgate...
and Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle is an Irish television and radio presenter. To British viewers he is recognisable as working for the BBC and ITV...
.
In 2002 he was appointed by Estelle Morris, the then Secretary of Education as a member of the Post-16 eLearning Strategy Taskforce. The taskforce was chaired by Steve Morrison, CEO of ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. The report was published in July 2002 under the title "Getting on with IT".
In 2003 he proposed and attracted funding for an "e-Innovation Centre" at the University which could combine the research and development skills of the Higher Education sector with that of Industry to promote Internet-based start-up companies. In October 2010, UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced £200 million to develop such technology centres as part of the government strategy to enhance UK growth.
In 2005 he was appointed advisor to the UK Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to monitor the evaluation of a Defence Training Review
Defence Training Review
The Defence Training Review was established by the then Defence Secretary, Lord Robertson, on 22 July 1999 toexamine all individual training and education, Service and civilian, in the British armed forces. The review report, entitled Modernising Defence Training, was published in 2001...
initiative.
Molyneux works closely with Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
and Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
in Texas on redefining the 'textbooks' and the use of technologies to support mobile learning.
He is a patron of Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is a not-for-profit business and enterprise education charity in the United Kingdom. It is made up of 12 regional organisations, each operating individually under a license agreement...
and from 2003-2006 was Mayor of Oakengates
Oakengates
Oakengates is a town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire, England, and now forms part of the new town of Telford...
where he currently resides. He broadcasts occasionally on BBC Radio Shropshire
BBC Radio Shropshire
BBC Radio Shropshire is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Shropshire. Launched on 23 April 1985 it broadcasts from its studios in Shrewsbury on 96 , 90 , 95 , 104.1 FM and DAB...
Morning Show on issues relating to technology and in October 2009 was elected to the West Midlands regional committee of the British Science Association.
External links
- "Prof. Molyneux to run ADL Partnership lab in UK" US Government ADL Lab Announcement, 2001
- "Prof. Steve Molyneux to advise Singapore Government" Press Release, The Learning Lab, November 2001
- "Top Professor appointed to Education Taskforce" University of Wolverhampton, 2002
- "Senior academic calls for UK e-Learning standard", Computing, August 2002
- "Broadband Visions in Education and Training", Broadband Stakeholders Group, 2004
- "Leading UK Academic speaks out on UKeU" Computing Magazine, March 2004
- "Public sector e-Learning back in the limelight" Computing Press, Aug 2004
- "Implementing 3D Based Games in UK Secondary Schools", White Paper, 2005
- "Prof. Molyneux as Ministry of Defence Advisor" UK Parliament Select Committee on Welsh Affairs, 2006
- "Speech by Secretary of State for Defence announcing DTR preferred Bidder" Hansard, House of Commons, Jan 2007
- "£45 Billion Schools IT Plan Fails to impress" Computing Magazine, April 2008
- "Renowned society reporter and international blogger Janie Davies reveals her Top 10 Cool IT People" May 2008