CEng (Information Systems),
CITP, FHEA, MBCS, Dip Med Ed (Dundee)
Consultant Cognitive Scientist
Page first released 18:00 GMT 12th January 2010. This
version is 1.2 dated 09:00 GMT 15th Jamuary 2010.
![[mugshot]](derek_smith_mugshot.jpg)
CEO and
Chief Designer, High Tower Consultants Limited
Research
Associate, International Software Products, Toronto
Previously: Senior Lecturer in
Informatics and Cognitive Science at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
AT A GLANCE
Between 1980 and 1991 Derek worked
for the data processing arm of British Telecom, specialising in the design and
operation of very large databases and management support systems. Between 1991
and 2010 he lectured in cognitive science at the University
of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC), specialising in the cognitive
neuropsychology of human communication. His research interests include the
nature of biological memory mechanisms, the evolution of the mind, Heideggerian
Dasein as a problem for semantic
network designers, and the use of computer animation and Internet technology as
teaching resources. His consultancy specialisms include IT project assurance,
business analysis and modelling, and the design of high-impact learning
experiences in both academic and organisational settings. He is also the Chief
Designer on the Konrad artificial
consciousness project and the founder of the Smithsrisca brand of academic e-content.
CONSULTANCY AND
TEACHING SPECIALISMS
Derek
has drawn on his industrial and academic experience to create the following
portfolio of fully quality assured educational packages:
COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPISTS
The "Cog
Neuro" module has been at the theoretical heart of the Speech and Language
Therapy syllabus ever since 19th century neurologists first noted that there
were consistent associations between the location of a particular brain trauma
and the resulting communication difficulty. It is the science (a) of how a
communicating and thinking mind occupies a brain, (b) of how damage to that
brain systematically degrades what its resident mind can still achieve, and (c)
of the planned clinical rehabilitation of that mind's residual capabilities.
Cog Neuro is thus the science of adult afflictions such as stroke, dementia,
and Parkinson's disease, as well as of paediatric problems such as autism and
specific language impairment.
COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS WORKERS
"Cog
Neuro" is also the key to effective remedial pedagogy, especially where
the all-important skills of literacy and numeracy are concerned. It is
simultaneously the science of perception, conceptual understanding, and
procedural skill in both the word and number domains, and therefore a rich
source of insight into how best to structure learning experiences in these
areas. So if you want to know what word or number blindness really involves, or
why the nation traditionally finds it so difficult to raise its children's
literacy and numeracy skills, this is where to look.
COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY FOR CAUTIOUS FINANCIAL INVESTORS
"Cog
Neuro" is also the key to understanding the psychology behind stock market
investment, especially where relatively inexperienced investors need to
separate the few reliable facts from the many surrounding fictions. It is the
science of seeing through the financial disinformation industry, of spotting
all the downright lies and false inducements, the rampings and the shortings,
and all the other little tricks of that trade. In other words, it is the
science of critically objective decision making in an arena where to listen
uncritically can prove extremely damaging to your bank balance. So if you have
ever invested on a highly plausible rumour only to see the value of that
investment suddenly plummet, this is where to look.
NEUROMARKETING
Although it's still
a bit of a buzzword, "neuromarketing" is already one of the most
valuable applied scientific developments of the 21st century. Put simply, it is
the multidisciplinary study of the relationship between an organisation and its
customers. It is customer awareness, requirements analysis, product definition,
and branding (to name but a few) all rolled into one, and it earns its keep by
bringing everything back to the inescapable biology of the people involved. In
other words, it is the science of the Wow
Factor in customer relationships, and - when you get it right - it could
make your company very rich.
PROJECT KONRAD
Konrad is a mainframe
software product modelling the end-to-end flow of biological cognition, but
with a special focus on the semantic network nature of the mind's long-term
memory systems. It has been designed to offer clients a simulation test-bed,
complete with detailed print-out, on which they can test hypotheses as to
mental function which could not be tested in living subjects.
PROJECT SMITHSRISCA
The Smithsrisca online resource is an
encyclopaedia of cognitive science and mental philosophy which cross-references
a large body of multi-disciplinary knowledge in these sometimes obscure areas.
The material in question has supported the author's undergraduate teaching
since the early 1990s, and is organised to support random browsing. To access this material, simply add the keyword
<smithsrisca> to your regular browsing.
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