Hello

I'm

About Me

Self portrait
  • Full Name

    Natalia Kurikova
  • Email

    me@nataliakurikova.com

I am a learning technology enthusiast with a background in designing, adapting and delivering face-to-face, blended and online educational programmes in a tertiary environment and private sector. I began my career as a language educator, supporting the learners in the development of English language skills, intercultural competence, and academic literacy. Since then, I was involved in online teaching and developed an understanding of current online and blended learning practices.
 
In 2019, I joined Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd. In my role, I contribute to the maintenance and growth of Ara’s digital learning environment. My job involves providing training to the staff in the use of learning technologies and suggesting tools to suit their teaching needs. Additionally, I support staff in solving any technical issues they may encounter. I aim to promote the use of technology that is pedagogically sound, learner-centred, and research-based.

I am a learning technology enthusiast with a background in designing, adapting and delivering face-to-face, blended and online educational programmes in a tertiary environment and private sector. I began my career as a language educator, supporting the learners in the development of English language skills, intercultural competence, and academic literacy. Since then, I was involved in online teaching and developed an understanding of current online and blended learning practices.
 
In 2019, I joined Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd. In my role, I contribute to the maintenance and growth of Ara’s digital learning environment. My job involves providing training to the staff in the use of learning technologies and suggesting tools to suit their teaching needs. Additionally, I support staff in solving any technical issues they may encounter. I aim to promote the use of technology that is pedagogically sound, learner-centred, and research-based.

My Resume

My experience and education

Career History

  • 2022 – present

    EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR - UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY

  • 2021 – 2022

    LEARNING TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR - ARA INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY, LTD

    I was often the first point of contact for the staff requiring assistance with learning technologies. I identified problems, suggested solutions, and facilitated just-in-time training as needed. I also contributed to the maintenance and enhancement of Ara's digital learning environment by evaluating and testing new and currently implemented learning technologies. Additionally, I was involved in developing online resources and self-help guides on the use learning technologies.

  • 2019 – 2021

    LEARNING TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT ADVISOR - ARA INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY, LTD

  • Sep 2015 – Mar 2019

    ONLINE ENGLISH TUTOR – ENGLISHLAB.NET, LTD

    I delivered online synchronous sessions to ENGLISHLAB.NET clients by means of Skype and the functionality of the ELN LMS (the EnglishLab.Net Learning Management System, which is a proprietary web-based learning object depository and attendance tracking solution merged with a suite of virtual classrooms). I also had to design and adapt teaching materials as well as to utilise HTML and web technologies to prepare learning objects for ELN LMS.

  • 2016 – 2017

    PRIVATE TUTOR

    I helped a wide variety of online and onsite clients achieve their desired learning outcomes by delivering language learning sessions and developing and providing the learners with teaching materials appropriate to their needs.

  • 2016

    ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR & ACADEMIC WRITING TUTOR – CENTRE FOR ACADEMIC WRITING ‘IMPULSE’ (CAWI), RUSSIA

    I facilitated university staff development by designing and effectively delivering workshops on scientific writing and part of a blended learning course – ‘English for Publishing Scientific Articles’, which utilised Moodle LMS.

  • 2009 – 2016

    ASSISTANT LECTURER & ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR – TYUMEN STATE UNIVERSITY, RUSSIA

    I taught university students majoring in Linguistics, enabling them to develop English language skills, intercultural competence, and academic literacy. I also was invited to deliver professional development sessions for secondary school teachers and take part in a project aimed at improving the teaching of languages through the introduction of educational technologies in teacher training.

  • 2008 – 2009

    ESOL EDUCATOR – EF ENGLISH FIRST

    I taught groups of adults on-site and off-site, helping them achieve positive learning outcomes. The school was equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software for that time, so I was able to integrate technology into lessons, including PowerPoint presentations, multimedia and video.

Education

  • 2017 – 2019

    MASTER OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS (MAPL), WITH DISTINCTION – MASSEY UNIVERSITY, NZ

    When doing my degree at Massey, I had the privilege of pursuing topics that aligned with my interest in eLearning. The course “Contextualising Curriculum and Materials Design” proved especially helpful as I could focus on designing eLearning materials. My research also dealt with teaching languages in a synchronous online environment.

  • 2016

    MODULE ONE, DIPLOMA IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (DELTA) – CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

    I did the DELTA Module One preparation course entirely online through The Distance Delta and enjoyed it immensely. It was nice to experience online learning from the student perspective for a change.

  • 2014

    UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ESOL CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING TO ADULTS (CELTA)

  • 2004 – 2009

    DEGREE IN LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LINGUISITICS (NZQA LEVEL 7 EQUIVALENT)

    This was a rigorous programme combining courses in theoretical linguistics, teaching methodology, English and German communication skills, and observed and assessed teaching practice.

Portfolio

Some samples of my work

  • All works
  • Curriculum and materials design
  • Research
  • Training and facilitation

When teaching online is not an emergency: strategies of private language tutors (Poster presentation)

Interactive lesson on procedural texts

Interactive exercises

Online webinar/Workshop: Dip Your Toe into Online Teaching

Learner Training Unit

Blog

Latest Posts

Contact me

Please feel free to get in touch anytime.

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