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Areas of interest: Design Thinking, Design-led pedagogies, Primary Education, STEAM, Technologies Curriculum
Bachelor of Built Environment (Interior Design)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
Leighann is a qualified designer and educator who worked in the commercial design industry (locally and internationally) for over 10 years prior to becoming a registered teacher in Queensland. Leighann was the inaugural STEAM Education Officer at QUT The Cube and has been a Technologies Teacher in Residence at a primary level.
Leighann currently teaches Technologies and Science units at ACU, inspiring future primary educators through design thinking and creativity. She also works independently as an education consultant, developing and providing workshops and learning experiences to students and teachers.
Leighann was recently awarded a HDR Internship with the QUT Design Lab’s HEAL (Health Excellence Accelerator Lab) initiative.
Thesis Title: Enhancing the capabilities and self-efficacy of Australian pre-service primary teachers with design thinking.
This research will investigate the value of design thinking as a pedagogical approach for the improvement of pre-service teacher education and self-efficacy specifically within the primary Technologies curriculum. A specific focus of the research will be how a deeper understanding of design can invigorate, motivate and even enhance enjoyment of educators planning to deliver learning experiences across the curriculum. The findings of this research will highlight the value of design thinking as a framework for pre-service teacher education and contribute to a growing culture of practice for design-led education as a model for 21st century skill development, teacher self-efficacy and life-long learning.