Aidan Johnston
Digital Learning Systems Developer
Academic Development and Student LearningAidan is a Digital Learning Systems Developer within Academic Development and Student Learning (ADSL). He leads the management and development of GCU's core digital learning systems and technologies, taking ownership of key platforms such as Blackboard Learn, Turnitin, H5P, Planet eStream, Class Collaborate, and Padlet. Working in close partnership with School Learning Technologists and academic staff, Aidan drives the university-wide strategy for innovative blended and online learning, ensuring digital tools and pedagogies successfully support the GCU 2030 strategic goals. Furthermore, his work is underpinned by a commitment to scholarly innovation, actively contributing to research and development in digital education to help build the university's national and international profile.
Previously, as a Learning Enhancement Advisor at the University of Strathclyde, Aidan operationally supported the development and conversion of numerous courses for online and blended delivery. Providing expert pedagogical and technical advice on learning platforms such as Moodle and FutureLearn, Aidan designed and developed nine award-winning Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Covering socially diverse topics ranging from “Introduction to Forensic Science” to “Caring for Vulnerable Children” and “Understanding Violence Against Women: Myths and Realities”, these courses achieved a combined enrolment of over 350,000 participants worldwide. His collaborative efforts during this time were recognised with two Strathclyde Medals.
Aidan’s career in higher education began at GCU in 2002 as an Educational Technologist on a seven-year Jisc, National Science Foundation (NSF), and BBC Information and Archives-funded initiative titled “Digital Libraries in the Classroom: The Spoken Word project”. This pioneering project investigated the application of BBC audio and video archive materials for teaching and learning, exploring the concept of students “writing on and for the internet”.
An active contributor to the scholarship of learning and teaching, Aidan’s published research explores MOOC pedagogy, the use of digital media to support student transitions to university, and creative teaching environments. He has also played a key interdisciplinary role in the impactful “Gathering the Voices” project, which utilises digital platforms and storytelling to disseminate the testimonies of Holocaust survivors for a modern digital generation. He possesses vast expertise in Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), online course design at scale, vidcasting, and the overall utilisation of web technologies to enrich the student experience.
Aidan is a Fellow (FHEA) and an Associate Fellow (AFHEA) of Advance HE. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, a Postgraduate Diploma in eCommerce Technology, a Postgraduate Certificate in Supporting Student Learning, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Academic Studies (Academic Practice).