Areas of Interest

Online and distance learning with an emphasis on the design and facilitation of highly-engaging learning experiences, the potential of mobile technologies for transformative learning, technology integration in adult and higher education contexts

Research Interests

I have a very personal appreciation for the empowering potential of education and am interested in leveraging learning technologies, especially online learning affordances and mobile technologies, to improve access to education and learning opportunities. I focus on adult learning environments and postsecondary contexts and my approach to curriculum development and instructional design is motivated by social constructivist and phenomenological philosophies. My efforts are directed toward establishing and facilitating democratic learning environments and promoting learner engagement through transformative learning experiences.

With the increasing use of technological innovation for learning, as educators we must also be concerned with ontological innovation and the development of new understandings and theories to inform our practice and improve our efforts. Thus, we are prompted to consider what conditions affect the learner experience of educational technology and how our efforts might encourage and foster engagement within virtual spaces. I argue that we must place more emphasis on designing for the learner experience and less on delivering content in order to engage learners in authentic, meaningful ways. Such innovative approaches will provide the necessary momentum to transform technologically-mediated teaching and learning environments to be authentic, meaningful, and engaging.

My research explores the human experience of various learning technologies, including mobile affordances and online learning environments. I am interested in examining andragogical strategies, contextual factors, and conditions that affect the experience of learners as they are immersed in virtual spaces and mobile learning technologies and how principles of design focused on interaction, collaboration, and social presence lead to increased levels of engagement and heightened, compelling learning experiences.

Courses I Teach

• EDHD 5007 Technology for Teaching and Learning
• CI 2311W Introduction to Technology and Ethics in Society
• CI 4311W Technology and Ethics in Society
• CI 2312 Sex, Drugs, & the Internet: Educational Perspectives
• CI 4312 Sex, Drugs, & the Internet: Educational Perspectives
• CI 5321 Foundations of Distance Education
• CI 5323 Online Learning Communities