Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Sharon Tonner-Saunders is lecturer in Technologies-ICT and Music in the School of Education. She joined the University in August 2008 after working for seven years as a primary school teacher, where the last four years were spent teaching ICT to all primary pupils. During this time, Sharon was awarded the British Council's eTwinning Award for Excellence in using innovative methods to connect children with their peers around the world. This followed shortly with Sharon becoming a British Council Ambassador where she shares her knowledge and expertise of intercultural learning with educators around the world. For the past three years, Sharon has led an innovative intercultural project called Hands of the World (HOTW) that uses music and Makaton to connect learners together to develop their intercultural awareness of others and preserve their linguistic identities. This project has won eTwinning Quality Labels from countries around Europe, the European eTwinning Quality Label and the prestigious British Council National eTwinning Award for best project in the UK ("019 and 2020). The success of Sharon's intercultural work has led to her being invited to be the keynote speaker at conferences around the world where she shares her passion for creating educational opportunities that enable young people to be connected with their global peers whilst preserving their identities.
Sharon's innovative approaches to using technologies in education has been acknowledged at the University where she has been awarded:
- CASS Award for Professional and Public Research Graduates - Jan 2012
- DUSA Innovation in Teaching Award - May 2011
- Honorary Graduates Award for Innovative Teaching - May 2010
- ESW Innovation in Teaching Award - Oct 2019
Sharon's innovative and forward-thinking approach to using technologies has also been acknowledge by a wider community where she was awarded the prestigious titles of:
- Apple Distinguished Educator - Jan 2011
- SMART Exemplary Educator - March 2011
Sharon is also a trained Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Ambassador, where she delivers workshops pertaining to protecting young people online.
She has also been part of the MA (Hons) and PGDE management teams for the past 13 years through her role as Placement Convener, Assessment Convener and Group Lead. She is currently Admissions Convener for the MA (Hons) Programme.
Qualifications
- 2011-2012: Postgraduate Module (Research Methods & Design) - University of Dundee
- 2009-2010: Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education - University of Dundee
- 2006-2007: Postgraduate Module (Progressive Enquiry & Knowledge Building Society) - University of Strathclyde
- 2005-2006: HNC ICT (Web Page Design & Internet Services) - Dundee College
- 2003-2005: Postgraduate Modules - (Computer Based Learning & Teaching, Internet Resources and Emerging Technologies) - University of Aberdeen
- 1999-2001: BEd (Hons) Primary Education - Dundee Northern College (First Class Honours Degree)
Education/Academic qualification
Bachelor of Education
30 Sep 2001 → 30 Jun 2030
Award Date: 30 Jun 2001
External positions
British Council Ambassador
1 Jul 2008 → …
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Network
Projects
- 1 Finished
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El proyecto intercultural "Hands of the World": Desarrollando las competencias digitales de estudiantes de magisterio a través del aprendizaje contextualizado
Tonner-Saunders, S. & Shimi, J., 1 May 2021, In: Pixel-Bit, Revista de Medios y Educacion. 61, p. 7-35 29 p.Translated title of the contribution :Hands of the world intercultural project: Developing student teachers' digital competences through contextualised learning Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile49 Downloads (Pure) -
Web-Building Connections: A Best-Practice Example of Using International Resources in Online Intercultural Didactics for Teachers
Leproni, R., Canals-Botines, M. & Tonner-Saunders, S., Aug 2021, In: Textus. 2, 2021, p. 121-138 28 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Exploring the use of The Learning Cloud to enhance literacy development of primary school children.
Hannah, E. & Tonner, S., 20 Feb 2016, Dundee: University of Dundee. 26 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile295 Downloads (Pure) -
Education in an Interconnected Global Space
Tonner, S., 2015, Teaching and Learning with ICT in the Primary School. Younie, S., Leask, M. & Burden, K. (eds.). 2nd ed. Abingdon: RoutledgeResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Familiarisation with the new environment, staff and friendship formation: using QR whodunnit mystery activity for students transitioning into HE
Tonner, S. & Jindal-Snape, D., 10 Jun 2015. 8 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Prizes
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eTwinning International Quality Label
Tonner-Saunders, Sharon (Recipient), 1 Oct 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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eTwinning National Award
Tonner-Saunders, Sharon (Recipient), 28 Sep 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Innovation In Teaching
Tonner-Saunders, Sharon (Recipient), 24 Sep 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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National eTwinning Quality Label
Tonner-Saunders, Sharon (Recipient), 30 Aug 2019
Prize: Other distinction
Activities
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Identities in an Interconnected World: Who are we online?
Sharon Tonner-Saunders (Speaker)
30 Jan 2022Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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IV International Conference: “Storytelling Revisited: Gender and Health”
Sharon Tonner-Saunders (Participant)
24 Nov 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Inclusive Societies through Music and Makaton
Sharon Tonner-Saunders (Speaker)
13 Jul 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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International Academic Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning
Sharon Tonner-Saunders (Participant)
29 Oct 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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ALt-ELESIG- Scotland Event 2021
Sharon Tonner-Saunders (Participant)
26 Nov 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Press / Media
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Dundee lecturer honoured for using sign language and music to bring students together
9/10/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Teaching