Dr Mary Webb has developed and researched the use of digital technologies in learning and teaching since computers first appeared in schools. Mary is internationally recognised for her research on pedagogy and formative assessment across both Computer Science as a subject and the uses of new technologies for learning.

Mary's research has resulted in over 150 publications. Recent research has focused on analysing computing curricula, pedagogy for learning computing, especially programming, and for using digital technologies for learning especially in science education but also in other subjects, immersive learning environments including the use of haptics and formative assessment.

Mary's international collaborations have focused particularly on her work on the Executive of the Education Committee for the International Federation of Information Processing and as a member of the Steering Committee of Informatics For All (I4ALL) Coalition For Europe.

Research

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in education.
• Pedagogy for computer science education in schools, especially learning programming and understanding machine learning.
• Use of digital technologies in science education, particularly haptics.
• Formative e-assessment, socially shared regulation of learning and associated pedagogy in primary and secondary schools.

Mary is a member of the School's Centre for Research in Education in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics with a specialism in technology-mediated learning.

Teaching

• PGCE Computing
• MA STEM Education and MA Education co-ordinator for: 'Recent Developments in Digital Technologies and Education'

PhD supervision

Mary welcomes inquiries from prospective PhD students interested in researching computer science education, especially artificial intelligence and machine learning, and aspects of the use of digital technologies in education, especially in relation to socially shared regulation of learning, formative assessment and immersive learning.

Her current PhD students and their topics are:

• Mengqi Fang - An investigation of the value of AI-powered functionalities for young ESL learners' learning of ESL pronunciation.
• Deema Alajaji - Using educational technology tools to support fifth grade students' socially shared regulation of learning in collaborative online learning and examining learners' perceptions of the socioemotional climate of their collaboration.
• Meng Yu - English learning with technologies of virtuality: How is EFL undergraduates’ interaction with AI-based conversational agents (CAs) realised?
• Fawziah Alqahtani – Collaborative online learning of programming skills for Saudi female grade K-11 students.

Further information

For further details please view Mary's Research Staff Profile.