Wendy Meyers | University of Wollongong (original) (raw)
Specialising in the design of innovative eLearning, that engage students and improve outcomes. With over 20 years experience in education and training I design quality and equitable education. I have been at the coal face teaching in High School, Distance Education, TAFE and University. For the last ten years I have been involved in the development of blended eLearning and technology enhanced learning programs within the Higher Education sector.
My career has enabled me to be involved in many aspects of the eLearning industry. I have:
- Developed university wide eLearning strategic plans
- Designed and facilitated Educational Technology conferences
- Lead Faculty eLearning Professional Development programs
- Presented at eLearning conferences
- Peer-reviewed eLearning Journal papers
- Designing numerous quality eLearning Courses and learning Objects for deployment in formal course.
Contact me if you have a research project you would like to discuss.
E: wmeyers08[@]gmail.com
W: wmeyers08.wix.com/consultancy
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Books by Wendy Meyers
Recent research has acknowledged equity problems in higher education associated with the use of o... more Recent research has acknowledged equity problems in higher education associated with the use of online learning technologies. In the past, some factors inherent within traditional learning environments were shown to inhibit the experience of women. However, the incorporation of ICT (information and communication technologies) into the learning environment was initially thought to offer an equitable alternative for women. This research explores these issues, investigating the experience of women in an online learning environment. The study focused on a group of mature-age women in a rural Australian community. Through the use of qualitative techniques, including semi-structured interviews, face-to-face and online focus groups, the researcher asked women to reflect on and reveal their experience in online learning. The study identified a range of issues that impacted on the educational experience of this group including student readiness, access, support, isolation, increased flexibility, gender, and negative online behaviours. The findings contribute to the knowledge base about ICT in higher education from the perspective of gender and equity issues in asynchronous communication. The study makes a unique contribution through its focus on the learning experience of students in higher education, with its emphasis on the perspectives of women who are mature-age students based in rural Australia.
Papers by Wendy Meyers
This paper outlines the development of a project which aims to improve the teaching and learning ... more This paper outlines the development of a project which aims to improve the teaching and learning outcomes within the Computer Sciences. A major strategy being examined is the effectiveness of digital gamesbased learning. Utilising the Neverwinter Nights game engine the team have created a prototype to be trialled in the first half of 2008. The project forms part of a broader faculty based solution to address teaching and learning problems of first year students, known as QUALITY101.
Proc. ASCILITE (Australian …, Jan 1, 2004
This paper reflects on research carried out at the University of Wollongong to examine equity iss... more This paper reflects on research carried out at the University of Wollongong to examine equity issues in asynchronous communication. The focus was on mature-aged rural women and their experiences in online learning using ICTs. Results of the literature review and research analysis point to a number of practical strategies for developing more equitable asynchronous communication in higher education.
A major challenge facing academic developers is meeting the development needs of both time poor a... more A major challenge facing academic developers is meeting the development needs of both time poor academics and those staff in multi-location campuses, especially sessional tutors, who may start teaching several weeks before electronic access is enabled. Necessary restrictions placed on access to local intranet and Learning Management Systems meant rethinking how to meet the needs of all staff and in the process model good practice through the use of blended learning environments. One regional university, with seven national and one international campus, is currently redesigning their staff development program to incorporate the use of blogs and wikis to provide access for all staff to a collaborative space to support improved teaching. This paper provides a rationale for the new direction and outlines the design phase to incorporate the use of collaborative technologies within the staff development program. It outlines the challenges faced in designing the environment and provides an overview of the design for the pilot phase.
Recent research has revealed gender related differences in the use of online learning technologie... more Recent research has revealed gender related differences in the use of online learning technologies in higher education associated. Given that traditional learning approaches have been shown to inhibit the experience of women and the promise of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to offer an equitable alternative for women, this research examines the experiences of women in online learning. The study adopts a qualitative approach, collecting data from sources such as semi-structured interviews and both face-to-face and online focus groups. It aims to contribute to the knowledge base of ICTs in higher education from the perspective of gender issues in asynchronous communication. The study is unique in that it not only focuses on the learning experience of students in higher education, but particularly examines the perspectives of women who are mature-aged and based in rural Australia. This brief paper reports on the background to the study and the progress to date.
ascilite.org.au
This poster paper informs the community of a project being undertaken at the University of Wollon... more This poster paper informs the community of a project being undertaken at the University of Wollongong (UOW) to develop a program to support teachers involved in multi-location teaching. UOW has incorporated blended and distributed teaching throughout many courses. These models rely heavily on educational technologies for delivery, as well as part- time and sessional staff for delivery. This project aims to address the needs of these staff. By examining barriers to utilisation, it will develop a professional development program that utilises flexible delivery strategies for delivery. [Author abstract]
referral.edna.edu.au
We begin with the premise that integrating active learning strategies into previously static mode... more We begin with the premise that integrating active learning strategies into previously static modes of presenting knowledge can be complex and difficult. To reduce the complexity of the task we introduce the Learning Design Discussion Model (LDDM) for use at the beginning of collaboration by Learning Designers and Educators considering Role-Based approaches in tertiary subjects. The model helps align the core elements of a) content knowledge, b) learning objectives and c) learning design from the beginning. The model has emerged from efforts to achieve mutual agreement on use of active learning processes to support knowledge acquisition. Early trials indicate the LDDM helps identify inhibiting concerns and encourages use of interactive learning with an end result of clarification of intent, reduced unease about implementation problems and enhanced mutual understanding.
Talks by Wendy Meyers
Recent research has acknowledged equity problems in higher education associated with the use of o... more Recent research has acknowledged equity problems in higher education associated with the use of online learning technologies. In the past, some factors inherent within traditional learning environments were shown to inhibit the experience of women. However, the incorporation of ICT (information and communication technologies) into the learning environment was initially thought to offer an equitable alternative for women. This research explores these issues, investigating the experience of women in an online learning environment. The study focused on a group of mature-age women in a rural Australian community. Through the use of qualitative techniques, including semi-structured interviews, face-to-face and online focus groups, the researcher asked women to reflect on and reveal their experience in online learning. The study identified a range of issues that impacted on the educational experience of this group including student readiness, access, support, isolation, increased flexibility, gender, and negative online behaviours. The findings contribute to the knowledge base about ICT in higher education from the perspective of gender and equity issues in asynchronous communication. The study makes a unique contribution through its focus on the learning experience of students in higher education, with its emphasis on the perspectives of women who are mature-age students based in rural Australia.
This paper outlines the development of a project which aims to improve the teaching and learning ... more This paper outlines the development of a project which aims to improve the teaching and learning outcomes within the Computer Sciences. A major strategy being examined is the effectiveness of digital gamesbased learning. Utilising the Neverwinter Nights game engine the team have created a prototype to be trialled in the first half of 2008. The project forms part of a broader faculty based solution to address teaching and learning problems of first year students, known as QUALITY101.
Proc. ASCILITE (Australian …, Jan 1, 2004
This paper reflects on research carried out at the University of Wollongong to examine equity iss... more This paper reflects on research carried out at the University of Wollongong to examine equity issues in asynchronous communication. The focus was on mature-aged rural women and their experiences in online learning using ICTs. Results of the literature review and research analysis point to a number of practical strategies for developing more equitable asynchronous communication in higher education.
A major challenge facing academic developers is meeting the development needs of both time poor a... more A major challenge facing academic developers is meeting the development needs of both time poor academics and those staff in multi-location campuses, especially sessional tutors, who may start teaching several weeks before electronic access is enabled. Necessary restrictions placed on access to local intranet and Learning Management Systems meant rethinking how to meet the needs of all staff and in the process model good practice through the use of blended learning environments. One regional university, with seven national and one international campus, is currently redesigning their staff development program to incorporate the use of blogs and wikis to provide access for all staff to a collaborative space to support improved teaching. This paper provides a rationale for the new direction and outlines the design phase to incorporate the use of collaborative technologies within the staff development program. It outlines the challenges faced in designing the environment and provides an overview of the design for the pilot phase.
Recent research has revealed gender related differences in the use of online learning technologie... more Recent research has revealed gender related differences in the use of online learning technologies in higher education associated. Given that traditional learning approaches have been shown to inhibit the experience of women and the promise of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to offer an equitable alternative for women, this research examines the experiences of women in online learning. The study adopts a qualitative approach, collecting data from sources such as semi-structured interviews and both face-to-face and online focus groups. It aims to contribute to the knowledge base of ICTs in higher education from the perspective of gender issues in asynchronous communication. The study is unique in that it not only focuses on the learning experience of students in higher education, but particularly examines the perspectives of women who are mature-aged and based in rural Australia. This brief paper reports on the background to the study and the progress to date.
ascilite.org.au
This poster paper informs the community of a project being undertaken at the University of Wollon... more This poster paper informs the community of a project being undertaken at the University of Wollongong (UOW) to develop a program to support teachers involved in multi-location teaching. UOW has incorporated blended and distributed teaching throughout many courses. These models rely heavily on educational technologies for delivery, as well as part- time and sessional staff for delivery. This project aims to address the needs of these staff. By examining barriers to utilisation, it will develop a professional development program that utilises flexible delivery strategies for delivery. [Author abstract]
referral.edna.edu.au
We begin with the premise that integrating active learning strategies into previously static mode... more We begin with the premise that integrating active learning strategies into previously static modes of presenting knowledge can be complex and difficult. To reduce the complexity of the task we introduce the Learning Design Discussion Model (LDDM) for use at the beginning of collaboration by Learning Designers and Educators considering Role-Based approaches in tertiary subjects. The model helps align the core elements of a) content knowledge, b) learning objectives and c) learning design from the beginning. The model has emerged from efforts to achieve mutual agreement on use of active learning processes to support knowledge acquisition. Early trials indicate the LDDM helps identify inhibiting concerns and encourages use of interactive learning with an end result of clarification of intent, reduced unease about implementation problems and enhanced mutual understanding.