Jayne Richards trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and studied education and phonetics (IPA) with the University of London. On completing her MA in Theatre and Performance Studies (Manchester), she went on to PhD research into Performance Practice (Middlesex University).
Jayne has taught theatre and performance at a range of institutions, and education studies and teacher training at RCSSD. As Programme Director for Theatre Studies at Rose Bruford College, she was involved in the early development of online delivery. She is currently Curriculum Manager for Online Learning and Teaching. Previously, Jayne’s roles included director of CRYPT (Warehouse Theatre) and team leader for the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance. Her current research interests include theatre and philosophy, educational developments in technology-enhanced learning and curriculum development.
Online Learning, Theatre Studies
MA Theatre and Performance Studies (with Distinction) – Manchester
HE Diploma – Central School of Speech and Drama
Certificate in Education – London
Diploma in Phonetics – London
SFSEDA; FHEA; ALT; CeLP – ALDinHE; SRHE; DLDT; APT; HETL; L(Re)
Senior Fellow: Staff and Educational Development Association; Fellow: Higher Education Academy; Member: Association of Learning Technologists; Certified Leading Practitioner: Educational Development – Association for Learning Development in Higher Education; Member: Association of Learning Technologists; Member: Society of Research in Higher Education; Member: Distance Learning and Digital Technologies; Member: Academic Practice and Technology; Member: Higher Education Teaching and Learning; Member: Learning (Re)imagined.
External Validator: MA Craft Editing, Ravensbourne/University of London
External Validator: MA Theatre, University of Surrey/Guildford School of Acting
Validation at Rose Bruford College: MA Light in Performance, Rose Bruford College (Chair); BA (Hons) Audio Production, Rose Bruford College; Postgraduate Certificate Higher Education
Universities UK Task and Finish Research Group on Transnational Online Higher Education. (2020).
Richards, J. (2021). TNE panel member and presentation. In: Transnational Education Conference. [online].
Office for Students. (2021). Report of the digital teaching and learning review. Gravity assist: Propelling higher education towards a brighter future. [online]
Richards, J. (2020). Using Data to Inform Online Learning. Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Richards, J. (2020). Shift Education: Delivering Practice in Online Learning and Teaching – interviews.
Richards, J. (2018). Using webinars for practice-based teaching. Enhancing Webinar Design and Practice. In: ALDinHE Symposium. [online]
Richards, J. (2017). Pedagogic, professional and legal opportunities and challenges with Mahara in performing arts teaching. In: ALT Annual Conference: Beyond islands of innovation – how learning technology became the new norm(al).
Richards, J. (2017). e-volution and e-lusion: the problematics of future-proofing educational technologies? The future ain’t what it used to be: inventing and re-imagining higher education practice. Greenwich.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2016). Using learning technologies to extend personalised situated learning opportunities to part-time, online distance-learners. In: Association of Learning Technologists Annual Conference. Warwick.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2016). From AML to DL, from PT to FT, from DL to OL from OL to ML… Gaps are good: embracing singularity and authenticity in designing and delivering courses for part-time, online, distance learners. In: Academic Practice and Technology Conference. Greenwich.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2016). e-Portfolios for practical teaching and learning in an online theatre studies programme. In: eLearningMeet. Roehampton.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2015). How can decentralising teaching materials in Moodle amplify the tutor voice and enhance student engagement? Practical experiences from an online theatre studies programme at a small specialist HE Institution? In: MoodleMoot Ireland-UK. London.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2015). Mahara for practical teaching and learning in an online Theatre Studies programme. In: Mahara Hui UK. Southampton Solent.
Richards, J. (2015). Pushing the boundaries of actual and virtual communities of practice? In: Association of Learning Technologists Annual Conference. Manchester.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2014). e-presence, e-practice, e-performance: using video conferencing software to deliver practical activities in an online theatre studies programme. In: Higher Education Academy Annual Conference. Birmingham.
Richards, J. and Matthews, D. (2015). We don’t call it “distance” anymore… Enhancing the learner experience and assessment opportunities within an Online Theatre Studies programme using synchronous, interactive technologies. Goldsmiths, University of London.
Richards, J. (2016). Theatre Studies at a Distance: Tackling the Topic of Practice in Online Learning. Word Matters, 66.
Richards, J. (2016). How do we define the function and value of e-portfolio software in promoting independent learning and transferrable skills for an online Theatre Studies degree programme in College-based HE? In: Supporting Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (SEDA).
Richards, J. How do we define the function and value of e-conferencing portfolio software in promoting opportunities for practical engagement and developing learning communities? In: Supporting Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (SEDA).
+ various book reviews.
Theatre and philosophy – process-based exploration; education – eLearning and curriculum design.
Cross-institutional involvement – quality and learning development:
Learning Quality and Standards Committee (2007–present)
Peer Assessment Working Party (2017–18)
Learning and Teaching Strategy Working Party (2017–18)
Academic Board (2005–2015)
Technology in Learning and Teaching Working Party (2012–2021)
Reporting Software Working Party (2011–present)
Employability Research Group (2012–present)
Research Ethics Working Party (2020–21)
Chair of the Technology in Learning and Teaching Working Party (2021–)