Leaders & Legends of Online Learning: Recent Episodes

Leaders & Legends of Online Learning

Leaders & Legends of Online Learning interviews the world's leading online education theorists and practitioners. Dedicated to the experts. Check out our website for more on each guest: http://onlinelearninglegends.com

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Professor João Mattar is a specialist in distance education with the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. João has over 75 publications across a broad range of subject areas in education, including games in education and connectivism. He is a Member of the International Council of Advisors of the UNESCO Chair in Distance Education (CUED) at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Spain, and an International Specialist at the Higher Education Assessment and Accreditation Agency (A3ES) of Portugal. He is also currently the President of ABED, the Distance Education Association of Brazil.  Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1829627/c1e-mxgwsn8d1jcdkwg2-mk05nr45u6zv-zntvip.mp3 | recorded April […]

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Dr Mark Nichols is Executive Director of Learning Design & Development at Open Polytechnic in New Zealand. He is current President of ICDE, and a Commonwealth of Learning Chair. Mark also pioneered this podcast, with the highly able assistance of Nev Ellington, who he met at the Open University. Mark’s most recent scholarship is in the areas of terminology and delivery modes. He will co-host the ICDE World Conference next year in New Zealand.  Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1802468/c1e-j2qntqg753czkn52-jp4pk14ru68r-pmghg3.mp3 | recorded April 2024 Mark’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbnichols/  Mark’s ORCID: Mark Nichols (0000-0002-8131-6562) – ORCID  Nominated works (free to access):

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Dr Taskeen Adam is Co-Director at Open Development & Education – a multicultural team dedicated to open education developments around the world. Taskeen’s research highlights that historical injustices, cultural imposition, and economic dependence continue to play a pivotal role in education and she seeks to address cultural-epistemic injustices exacerbated through educational technologies. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1762050/c1e-owpjuvjpg3b708dx-mq8z0353bngv-mgmj7q.mp3 | recorded April 2024 Taskeen’s online profile: https://opendeved.net/team/taskeen-adam/ Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase): Taskeen’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/taskeenadamlin Taskeen’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-taskeen-adam-2027a150/

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Professor Charlotte Gunawardena is Distinguished Professor of Distance Education and Instructional Technology with the University of New Mexico. Lani has published and presented on distance education for over 25 years and has over 100 publications to her credit. She is currently researching the sociocultural context of digital learning environments and social presence theory, examining the social construction of knowledge in online learning communities. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1762025/c1e-270mi8qv94c8j683-2og6dv7msmq8-nnr6q1.mp3 | recorded May 2024 Lani’s online profile: https://ulls.unm.edu/people/directory/g/gunawardena-charlotte-lani.php?_gl=13yy45h_gcl_au*MTY5NzY3NjkxMC4xNzE1OTA1NjI2LjEzMDQzMjkyNjUuMTcxNjIzODgwMi4xNzE2MjM4ODE0 Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase):

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Dr Ratna Selvaratnam is Manager of Learning Technologies & Innovation at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia. Ratna is a Design Champion with ECU’s University of the Future project, she has recent forward-facing publications in the areas of micro-credentials and governance of artificial intelligence, and is on the ACODE (Australasian Council for Open and Distance Education) Executive as Treasurer. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1747436/c1e-qw1vu2dk3gck20kk-2ogx8x7ws8-griarp.mp3 | recorded March 2024 Ratna’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratna-malar-selvaratnam/ Nominated works (free to access):

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Dr Gabi Witthaus is a Research Fellow at University College London specialising in education in contexts of mass displacement, and Senior Digital Education Developer with the University of Birmingham. Gabi is a keen advocate of open education resources and widening participation to higher education. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1728059/c1e-pgwvs5548nc1xd75-zo544qg8tgj-2rhegm.mp3 | recorded February 2024 Gabi’s online profile: https://artofelearning.org/about/ Gabi’s blog: https://artofelearning.org/ Gabi’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GabiWitthaus Gabi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabiwitthaus/ Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase):

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Junhong Xiao is Emeritus Professor at the Open University of Shantou in China. His current research interests cover various aspects of open, distance and digital education. His international publications include a major contribution to the Springer Handbook of Open, Digital, and Distance Education, and many contemporary themes of online learning. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1716725/c1e-owpjuv99mvf708dx-5r51zq0ph789-t5r3pd.mp3 | recorded March 2024 Junhong’s online profile: Junhong Xiao is Emeritus Professor at the Open University of Shantou (formerly known as Shantou Radio & Television University), a local branch of the Open University of China and a founding member of the Center for Open Education Research, the University of […]

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Paul Levinson, PhD, is a pioneer of online education, still teaching classes in person and via Zoom as a Professor at Fordham University in New York City, after nearly 50 years in university classrooms, and online classes in the 1980s at Connected Education which he co-founded with his wife Tina Vozick. Paul is a dedicated pedagogue, novelist, and singer/songwriter, whose advocacy for online education remains as energetic as it was in his early days with Connect Ed.  Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1677255/c1e-xw7gumr1nofownkg-jkw61wqoujr0-jwztjj.mp3 Paul’s personal homepage: https://paullev.com/ Paul’s blog: https://paullevinson.blogspot.com/ Paul’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.levinson/ Paul’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paullevinson/ Paul’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/PaulLev Paul’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulLevinson Paul’s Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@PaulLev Paul’s Threads: […]

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Mike Sharples is Emeritus Professor of Educational Technology in the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University. Mike’s extensive career and multiple publications are concerned with innovation in educational technology, which include the Innovating Pedagogy report series and early involvement with Artificial intelligence. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1657678/c1e-d41xtk0ggpfj4pw8-7n5mro1ghwn4-tizqag.mp3 | recorded November 2023 Mike’s online profile: https://iet.open.ac.uk/people/mike.sharples Mike’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-sharples-1633153/ Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase): Mike’s Twitter/X account: https://twitter.com/sharplm

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Professor Florence Martin is Professor of Learning, Design and Technology with North Carolina State University. Florence’s teaching spans asynchronous, synchronous and bisyncronous modalities – and her applied research (and associated systematic reviews of literature) informs her teaching, while also enriching the practice of others. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1637297/c1e-qw1vu41vj3uk20k0-p80xpov4s3zo-ssdngh.mp3 | recorded December 2023 Florence’s online profile: http://opening-up.education/about Florence’s Google Scholar account: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=n_Nf3fgAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase):

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Dr Christian Stracke is the Coordinator for Virtual Coordination and Cloud Strategy at the University of Bonn in Germany. His main research areas are open education, Artificial Intelligence and their societal impacts building on many years of international scholarship related to learning innovations and quality in digital education. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/1623613/c1e-w67pc92ow8t6m066-5rp5r92jud9q-j2twad.mp3 | recorded September 2023 Christian’s online profile: http://opening-up.education/about Christian’s LinkedIn profile: https://de.linkedin.com/in/christian-m-stracke Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase):

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Professor Tian Belawati is the former Rector of Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University), a keen advocate for inclusive online learning, and a previous ICDE President as well as the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) President. Tian has seen Universitas Terbuka transform over time from a traditional correspondence open university into a major provider of accessible education. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/c7923e4a-035d-4098-9adc-4edd50547730-089-Tian-Belawati.mp3 | recorded September 2023 Tian’s online profiles: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tian-Belawati | https://scholar.google.co.id/citations?user=N2vAWSUAAAAJ&hl=en Nominated work (fee to access): Nominated works (may require purchase):

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Distinguished Professor Dr Vanessa Dennen is an international expert in education, with a specific focus on instructional systems and learning technologies at Florida State University. Her scholarship dates back to the early days of online education, as does her ‘people first, content second, technology third’ approach. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/e353214d-a9a7-4fb5-a387-031f6d614039-088-Vanessa-Dennen.mp3 | recorded July 2023 Vanessa’s profile: https://cehhs.fsu.edu/vanessa-dennen Vanessa’s blog: https://vanessadennen.com/blog/ Vanessa’s Google Scholar account: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=fkGwM8YAAAAJ Vanessa’s publications and presentations (some may require purchase): https://vanessadennen.com/recent-publications-and-presentations/ Additional access to works: https://meme.create.fsu.edu/publications-presentations/ MEME Research Group website: https://meme.create.fsu.edu/

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Dr Liz Marr is an advocate of lifelong learning, drawing on her own success as a lifelong learner. Liz is a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Universities Association for lifelong learning and served as Pro-Vice Chancellor (Students) alongside other teaching and learning roles with The Open University, UK. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/d56b1da3-4f49-4a4e-8857-bb06c2e1c458-087-Liz-Marr-Final.mp3 | recorded September 2023 Liz’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-marr-60393429/ Nominated work (fee to access): Nominated works (may require purchase): Twitter: @liz_marr1

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Professor Martha Cleveland-Innes is Professor of Open, Digital, and Distance Education with Athabasca University. Her work related to the Community of Inquiry model continues to advance thinking in the area of online learning practice. Listen out for a good IDEA related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility and how these might be combined through robust education planning. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/9b6762fe-1cbf-4015-b321-1bba2f59b071-086-Martha-Cleveland-Innes-Final.mp3 | recorded August 2023 Martha’s online profile: Dr Martha Cleveland-Innes is a Professor of Open, Digital, and Distance Education at Athabasca University. She is Editor-in-Chief of the bilingual Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, and the co-author of open source publications […]

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Senior Professor Shironica P. Karunanayaka of the Open University of Sri Lanka is a firm believer in the principles of teaching and learning as foundational for online education. Her research into ICT in education, learning experience design, and OER and OEP now extend into a role as a Commonwealth of Learning Chair, following an academic career of almost 30 years in open and distance education. Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/b8d7e7d5-568a-46f7-9f97-05431250aed9-085-Shironica-Karunanayaka.mp3 | recorded June 2023 Shironica’s online profile: https://shironicakarunanayaka.wordpress.com/ Shironica’s ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shironica-Karunanayaka Shironica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shironica-karunanayaka/ Blogs mentioned in interview: Nominated works (free to access): Nominated works (may require purchase): Twitter: @ShironicaK

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Professor Santosh Panda is Professor of Distance Education since 1997 and Director, Staff Training & Research Institute, Indira Gandhi Open University, India. A former Fulbright […]

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Professor Geesje van den Berg is with the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of South Africa. Geesje teaches on a Master’s […]

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Professor John Traxler is Professor of Digital Learning in the Institute of Education, and a UNESCO and Commonwealth of Learning Chair, based at the University […]

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Dr Maren Deepwell has been Chief Executive Officer of the UK Association of Learning Technology (ALT) for 15 years. Her work in all things open […]

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Dr Helen Crompton is an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University. She has a broad range of contemporary research interests and over […]

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Dr Phil Hardman brings a scholar’s perspective to learning design, based on decades of learning science and a dedication to creative online and hybrid education. […]

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Frances Ferreira is Acting Director of Skills with the Commonwealth of Learning. She is a keen advocate for quality, accessible and affordable education as her […]

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Professor Morten Flate Paulsen’s experience with online learning dates back to pioneering days in the 1980s. His ongoing work is based on his Theory of […]

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Curtis J. Bonk is Professor in the School of Education at Indiana University (IU) teaching psychology and technology courses and Adjunct in the School of […]

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Mostafa Azad Kamal has a long history with Bangladesh Open University. He is currently a Professor of International and Development Economics and also the Dean […]

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Dr Sanjaya Mishra is Director: Education with the Commonwealth of Learning. His extensive career in online education builds on a distance education foundation, which includes […]

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Dr. Aras Bozkurt is an Associate Professor of Distance Education at Anadolu University in Turkey. His career in distance and online education is really one […]

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Dr Kate Bowles is a long-term strategic thinker about online education. Her points about the ‘vendoring’ of online education and the role of universities remain […]

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Dr Deborah Arnold is national and international projects coordinator at AUNEGE (Association of Universities for the Development of Digital Education in Economics and Management), and Chair […]

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Emeritus Professor Randy Garrison is an international expert on e-learning, building on a long career in distance education. He was instrumental in developing the Community […]

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Laura Gibbs PhD is a noteworthy practitioner of asynchronous online education, nominated for the podcast by a listener. You’ll soon learn why: her innovative practice […]

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Associate Professor Michael Barbour is a specialist in K12 education, and the potential for asynchronous online education to make successful graduates. His scholarship is cited […]

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Dr Dianne Conrad is a retired but active scholar and teacher in online education following a long post-secondary career at Canadian universities. Dianne’s multiple publications […]

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Professor Airina Volungevičienė is well known across Europe and beyond for her work in distance learning and teaching, and her commitment to technology enhanced learning. She is past president of EDEN, current Management Board member of EDEN Digital Learning Europe, the chair of the board of the Lithuanian Distance and eLearning Association and Director of the Institute of Innovative Studies at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/f5fbc2a0-f92f-4c0c-ae6c-17f7c2476ba1-065-Airina-Volungeviciene-Final.mp3 | recorded December 2021

Airina’s profile: https://studyonline.lt/en/person/a-volungeviciene/#more-2955

Publications and scholarly activity: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0093-7592

Free to access publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Airina-Volungeviciene

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Professor Phillip Dawson is an international expert in online assessment and the flipped classroom, with a broad interest in online education. He is Associate Director, Centre For Research In Assessment And Digital Learning (CRADLE) with Deakin University in Australia. After this episode you’ll be inspired to check out his work.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/f659ff3e-59ba-4713-aad4-26ca3dc29159-064-Phillip-Dawson-Final.mp3 | recorded November 2021

Phill’s profile: https://philldawson.com/

Nominated publications (free to access):

  • Assessment Design Decisions: http://assessmentdecisions.org
  • Feedback for Learning: http://feedbackforlearning.org
  • Dawson, P. (2021). Strategies for using online invigilated exams. TEQSA. https://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/strategies-for-using-online-invigilated-exams.pdf?v=1603758032
  • Hew, K. F., Bai, S., Huang, W., Dawson, P., Du, J., Huang, G., Jia, C., & Thankrit, K. (2021). On the use of flipped classroom across various disciplines: Insights from a second-order meta-analysis. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 37(2), 132–151. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.6475
  • Dawson, P., Henderson, M., Mahoney, P., Phillips, M., Ryan, T., Boud, D. & Molloy, E. (2019). What makes for effective feedback: staff and student perspectives. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 44(1), 25-36. DOI: 10.1080/0260

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Dr Tony Mays joined COL as Education Specialist: Open Schooling in February 2019. Throughout his career, Tony has been involved with the strategic leadership and operational management of distance education with extensive experience in sub-Saharan Africa. He previously served as Manager of the Unit for Distance Education, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria and before that as a Senior Programme Specialist at Saide.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/a57a38c7-e38f-4dd0-a8af-5b5c705e270a-063-Tony-Mays-Final.mp3 | recorded November 2021

Tony’s profile: https://www.col.org/members/dr-tony-mays/

Tony’s LInkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyjohnmays/?originalSubdomain=za

Video clip outlining the 6-year plan for Tony’s portfolio of work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKtVsStTV3o

Nominated publications (free to access):

  • Mays, T. (2020). Towards more resilient schooling: Possible models for the future. Commonwealth of Learning: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED607246, http://oasis.col.org/bitstream/handle/11599/3612/2020_COL_Towards_Resilient_Schooling.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  • Mays. T., & Singh, R.K. (Eds.) (2020). Addressing the learning needs of out-of-school children and youths through the expansion of Open Schooling. Commonwealth of Learning: http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/3731
  • Mays. T. (2017). Mainstreaming use of open educational resources (OER) in an African context. Open Praxis 9(4), pp.387-401. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.300523951458970

Nominated work (requires purchase):

  • Mays T. (2021). Teaching the Teachers. In: Burgos D., Tlili A., Tabacco A. (Eds.) Radical solutions for education in a crisis context. Lecture notes in educa

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Leaders & Legends of Online Learning 062 Dr George Veletsianos

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Leaders & Legends of Online Learning 061 Professor Sarah Guri-Rosenblit

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Professor Moeketsi Letseka is the UNESCO Chair of Open and Distance Learning at Unisa in South Africa. His is an inspiring journey of extending the reach of education in post-apartheid South Africa, where online learning assists in providing opportunity – at scale. Equity, access and equality are all part of the context, calling for creative and informed solutions.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/060-Moeketsi-Letseka-Final.mp3 | recorded August 2021

Moeketsi’s profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moeketsi-letseka-55a35b20/

Moeketsi’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/moeketsi.letseka.7

Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Moeketsi-Letseka

Nominated works (require purchase):

  • Aluko, F.R., Letseka, M. & Pitsoe, V. (Eds.) (2016). Assuring institutional quality in open distance learning (ODL) in the developing contexts. Nova Science Publishers.
  • Letseka, M. (Ed.) (2016). Open distance learning (ODL) through the philosophy of ubuntu. Nova Science Publishers.
  • Letseka, M. (Ed.) (2015). Open distance learning (ODL) in South Africa. Nova Science Publishers.

Twitter: @letsem

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Dr Venkataraman Balaji is Vice-President of the Commonwealth of Learning. Balaji’s work in improving access to educational opportunities through straightforward interventions, and the subsequent impact on many tens of thousands of lives, gives his activities a contemporary significance.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/059-Venkataraman-Balaji-Final.mp3 | recorded July 2021

Balaji’s online profile: Dr Venkataraman Balaji | COL

Nominated works (free to access):

  • Ally, M., Balaji, V., Abdelbaki, A., & Cheng, R. (2017). Use of Tablet Computers to Improve Access to Education in a Remote Location. Journal of Learning for Development , 4(2). Retrieved from https://jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d/article/view/219
  • Chan Mow, I. T., Temese, E., Mose, M. N., Patu, T., Mauai, E., Sinclair, I., Lafaele, F., Namulauulu, J., Tanielu, M., Wong Soon, A., & Chan, V. (2017). An Evaluation of the Usefulness and Ease of Use of the Aptus within the Samoan Education Context. Journal of Learning for Development , 4(3). Retrieved from https://jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d/article/view/192
  • Moloo, R., Prabhakar, T.V., Balaji, V., &Khedo, K. (2018). Successful Delivery of a MOOC via Basic Mobile Phones: A Case Study of Mobile Learning in India for Increasing Awareness of Science-Based Production Practices Among Semi-skilled Horticultural Farmers. Peer-reviewed Pre-print of book chapter: http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/2934
  • Patru, M., & Balaji, V. (Eds.) (2016). Making Sense of MOOCs: A Guide for Policy-Makers in Developing Countries. UNESCO and Commonwealth of Learning. http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/2356
  • Prabhakar, T.V., Balaji, V., & Revathy, K.T. (2018). mooKIT – A MOOC Platform for Developing Countries. Pre-print of published article in the proceedings of the 2018 International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (MyRes). http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/3047

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Dr Mohsen Keshavarz is Director of the Virtual Education Center of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences. He has a PhD in the area of virtual education planning and is an energetic advocate of distance learning in his home country of Iran, having translated Tony Bates’s book Teaching in a digital age to Persian in addition to several other projects, some with international collaborators.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/058-Mohsen-Keshavarz-Final.mp3 | recorded June 2021

Mohsen’s online profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6350-2070

Nominated works (free to access):

  • Keshavarz, M., & Ghoneim, A. (2021). Preparing Educators to Teach in a Digital Age. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 22(1), 221-242. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v22i1.4910
  • Bates, A. W. (2016). Teaching in a Digital Age. Guidelines for Teaching and Learning. (M. Keshavarz & A. Sharif, Trans. in Persian: Chapter 1-5, Select a file format, Part of Readable) Vancouver BC: Tony Bates Associates Ltd. https://open.bccampus.ca/browse-our-collection/find-open-textbooks/?uuid=da50f5f1-bbc6-481e-a359-e73007c66932&contributor=&keyword=&subject=

Nominated works (may require purchase):

  • Keshavarz, M. (2020). Distance Education System and Print Literacy. Distance Learning 17(2). https://www.infoagepub.com/products/distance-learning-vol-17-2
  • Keshavarz, M. (2020). The Effect of Distance Education on Information Literacy Case Study: “Iran”. The Quarterly Review of Distance Education 21(2), pp.23-47. https://www.infoagepub.com/products/Quarterly-Review-of-Distance-Education-21-2
  • Keshavarz, Mohsen. (2016). Distance Education System and Media Literacy. Distance Learning13(4). https://www.infoagepub.com/products/distance-learning-vol-13-4

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Professor Asha Kanwar is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth of Learning. She is a well-known international conference speaker, a champion of learning for sustainable development and inspires many around the globe through her publications and advocacy.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/057-Asha-Kanwar-Final.mp3 | recorded March 2021

Asha’s online profile: https://www.col.org/members/professor-asha-s-kanwar

Nominated works (free to access): http://oasis.col.org/browse?value=Kanwar%2C+Asha&type=author

Twitter: @AshaKanwarCOL

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Instructional design is foundational to effective online education. In this episode Dr Afsaneh Sharif, researcher, consultant, instructional designer, e-learning specialist, faculty liaison and project manager with the University of British Columbia, shares insight from her 20+ years of practice and scholarship.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/056-Afsaneh-Sharif-Final.mp3 | recorded March 2021

Afsaneh’s online profile: https://ctlt.ubc.ca/people/afsaneh-sharif-phd/

Afsaneh’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afsaneh-sharif-2406b669/?originalSubdomain=ca

Nominated works (free to access):

  • Quality Enhancement in Online & Blended Course Development (qe.ctlt.ubc.ca)
    • Course Development Phases http://qe.ctlt.ubc.ca/phases/
    • Online and Blended Course Quality Checklist https://wiki.ubc.ca/images/2/25/OnlineQualityCheckList_SiteFinal_Sep2016.pdf
  • Sharaiti, B., Kanji, Z., Soheilipour, S., Patrick, L., & Sharif, A. (2021). Enhancing Learning in an Online Oral Epidemiology and Statistics Course: A Mixed Methods Approach to Assessing Outcomes. Can J Dent Hyg 2021;55(1): 17-29. Available at:

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Dr. Lorraine Carter is Director of McMaster University Continuing Education. She is an award-winning online educator with an emphasis on instructional design, and has an extensive publication history. Lorraine’s commitment to teamwork, focus on education as cultivation, and track record make her a true leader of online learning.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/055-Lorraine-Carter-Final.mp3 | recorded March 2021

Lorraine’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainecartermcmastercce/

Nominated works (free to access):

  • Carter, L. Building social capital into your CE programs. https://evolllution.com/programming/program_planning/building-social-capital-into-your-ce-programs
  • Carter, L. & Janes, D. (Accepted March 2021 for publication in Fall 2021). Linking the past, present, and future of Canada’s university continuing education units: A conceptual paper for post-pandemic times. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education. Will be available at: https://cjsae.library.dal.ca/index.php/cjsae
  • Janes, D.P. & Carter, L.M. (2020). Empowering techno-resiliency and practical learning among teachers: Leveraging a community of practice model using Microsoft Teams. In Ferdig, R.E., Baumgartner, E., Hartshorne, R., Kaplan-Rakowski, R. & Mouza, C. (Eds). Teaching, technology, and teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stories from the field. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), 265-273. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/216903/
  • Carter, L. M., Hanna, M., & Warry, W. (2016). Perceptions of the impact of online learning as a distance-based learning model on the professional practices of working nurses in Northern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 42(3). Available at:

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Dr Mark Milliron has an extensive career across distance and online education. He serves as Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the Teachers College for Western Governors University, the largest non-profit online, competency-based university in the world. He is in United States Distance Learning Association’s Hall of Fame, and has received recognition as an innovator and influencer in education technology. His interest in digital education spans three decades of practice.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/055-Mark-Milliron-Final.mp3 | recorded January 2021

Mark’s online profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmilliron/ (see also http://markmilliron.com/)

Publications (free to access): http://markmilliron.com/#PUBLICATIONS

Twitter: @markmilliron

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Sir John Daniel has made a pivotal contribution to open, distance and online learning across his impressive career, which has to date included being Vice Chancellor of The Open University UK, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO and President of the Commonwealth of Learning. Sir John’s insight and thinking is widely known for its clarity and practicality.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/053-Sir-John-Daniel-Final.mp3 | recorded January 2021

Sir John’s profile (also links to publications): https://sirjohn.ca/

Nominated links (mentioned in interview):

  • Daniel, J. S & C. Marquis (1979). Independence and Interaction: Getting the Mixture Right. Teaching at a Distance, 14: 29-44. (Mark’s note: if you cannot source this article, there is an excellent blog post addressing how this work has been taken forward at https://altc.alt.ac.uk/blog/2012/02/getting-the-mix-right-once-again-a-peek-into-the-interaction-equivalency-theorem-and-interaction-design/).
  • Daniel, J. S. (1996). Mega-universities and Knowledge Media: Technology Strategies for Higher Education, Kogan Page, London
  • Daniel, J. S. (2012). Making Sense of MOOCs: Musings in a Maze of Myth, Paradox and Possibility. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2012(3), p. Art. 18. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/2012-18
  • Daniel, J. S. (2020). COVID-19 – A Two-Week Transition from Campus to Online at the Acsenda School of Ma

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Steve Wheeler is a Learning Innovations Consultant and former Associate Professor of Learning Technologies at Plymouth University. He has a long publication history and multiple conference keynotes to his name. His blog, Learning with ‘e’s (http://www.steve-wheeler.co.uk/) presents his various observations about digital education over time.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/052-Steve-Wheeler-Final.mp3 | recorded December 2020

Steve’s profile: https://steve-wheeler.net/

Steve’s blog, Learning with ‘e’s: http://www.steve-wheeler.co.uk/

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?hl=en&user=kHuR4jwAAAAJ&view_op=list_works
  • Slideshare Keynotes: https://www2.slideshare.net/timbuckteeth

Twitter: @SteveWheeler

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Dr. Lisa Marie Blaschke is well known for her work in heutagogy. She is also a long-standing member of EDEN and a Program Director for Technology Enhanced Learning with the University of Oldenberg. In this interview Lisa explains the benefits and application of heutagogy for education at all levels.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/051-Lisa-Marie-Blaschke-Final.mp3 | recorded October 2020

Lisa's profile: http://lisamarieblaschke.pbworks.com/w/page/17821601/FrontPage

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Blaschke, L. M., & Marín, V. I. (2020). Applications of heutagogy in the educational use of e-portfolios. Revista de Educación a Distancia RED. Available from: https://revistas.um.es/red/article/view/407831/290621
  • Blaschke, L.M., & Hase, S. (2019). Heutagogy and digital media networks: Setting students on the path to lifelong learning. Pacific Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 1(1).
  • Blaschke, L.M., Hase, S., & Kenyon, C. (2014). Experiences in self-determined learning. United States: Amazon.com. Available from: https://uol.de/coer/announcements/free-oer-now-available-experiences-in-self-determined-learning/ and (for purchase): https://www.amazon.com/Experiences-Self-Determined-Learning-L-M-Blaschke/dp/1502785307
  • Blaschke, L.M. (2014). Using social media to engage and develop online learners in self-determined learning. Research in Learning Technology. Retrieved from: https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/1458
  • Blaschke, L.M. (2012). Heutagogy and lifelong learning: A review of heutagogical practice and self-determined learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 13(1), 56-71. Retrieved from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1076/2113.

Nominated works (require purchase):

  • Blaschke, L., & Bedenlier, S. (2020). Online learning. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Oxford University Press. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.674
  • Blaschke, L.M. (2019). The pedagogy-andragogy-heut

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Professor Som Naidu is internationally renowned for his scholarship in Open, Flexible, Distance and Online Learning, most notably as Executive Editor of the journal "Distance Education", one of the world's leading journals in the field.

He s currently Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director, Center for Flexible Learning, at the University of the South Pacific and has previously served in a variety of roles in the enhancement of learning and teaching at several Australian universities. Dr. Naidu possesses doctoral qualifications in Educational Technology from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

A former president of the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia, Dr. Naidu has served as executive editor of its journal Distance Education since 1997. In May 2014 the Open University of Sri Lanka awarded Dr. Naidu a D.Litt. (Honoris Causa), in recognition of his extensive contribution to the field of open, flexible, distance and e-learning both regionally and internationally.

In addition, in July 2020, Advance Higher Education, UK, admitted Dr. Naidu as Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy for his commitment, contribution and strategic leadership in the scholarship of learning and teaching.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/050-Som-Naidu-Final.mp3 | recorded October2020

Som's online profile: https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=19639

Som's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/som-naidu-phd-d-litt-346a7199/

Distance Education (ODLAA Journal): https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cdie20/current

Current Affiliations (as at November 2020):

  • ICDE Executive Committee: https://www.icde.org/icde-governance-resources/category/Executive+Committee
  • Executive Committee member (Open Education Global): https://www.oeconsortium.org/2019/03/oec-welcomes-new-board-members/

Recent keynote:

  • Naidu, S. (2019). Rethinking and redesigning education systems for a future focused learning. Keynote at the 25th CIAED - ABED International Congress of Distance Education (20 to 24 October 2019), at the Cenacon, Poços de Caldas City, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Theme: "Hybrid approaches in the Teaching-Learning in DE”. http://www.abed.org.br/congresso2019.

Nominated works (open access):

  • Karunanayaka, S. & Naidu, S. (Eds.) (2016). Dreamweaving Open Educational Practice. Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka: The Open University of Sri Lanka. Retrieved from

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Professor Mpine Makoe is dedicated to opening access to education, and her work in mobile education serves to support students toward understanding. Her approach to education is underpinned by a firm commitment to lifelong learning and empowerment.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/049-Mpine-Makoe-Final.mp3 | recorded July 2020

Mpine's ORCID and Google Scholar profiles: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4192-1781 and https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=ZTFi5nYAAAAJ&hl=en

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Makoe, M., & Shandu-Phetla, T.P. (2019). Using Mobile-based Social Media to Facilitate Interaction and Build Communities through the Lens of Ubuntu in Distance Education. Journal of Learning for Development, 6(2), 130-142. https://jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d/article/view/357
  • Makoe, M. & Shandu, T.P. (2018). Developing a Mobile App for Learning English Vocabulary in an Open Distance Learning Context. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v19i4.3746
  • Makoe, M. (2018). Using Future Research Methods in Analysing Policies Relating to Open Distance Education in Africa. Open Praxis, 10(1), 5-15. https://openpraxis.org/index.php/OpenPraxis/article/view/581
  • Schulte, D., Cendon. E., & Makoe, M. July 2020, Revisioning the Future of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

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Professor Börje Holmberg is a pioneer in the area of distance education – and his perspectives on learning design, education and a system and the guided didactic conversation translate directly into effective online education.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/048-B-rje-Holmberg.mp3 | recorded August 2020

Börje's Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B6rje_Holmberg

Farhad Saba's (DistanceEducator.com) introduction: https://distance-educator.com/introduction-to-distance-education-theorists-and-theories-borje-holmberg/

Free to access article related to the Guided Didactic Conversation:

  • Holmberg, B. (1983). Guided didactic conversation in distance education. In D. Sewart, D. Keegan, and B. Holmberg (Eds.), Distance education: International perspectives (pp. 114-122). London: Croom Helm.

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Professor Michael Sankey has two decades' experience in online and distance education. His work as a practitioner, thinker and facilitator have assisted universities across Australasia and further afield to improve their practice.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/047-Michael-Sankey-Final.mp3 | recorded September 2020

Michael's ePortfolio: https://eportfolio.usq.edu.au/user/sankey/home

Michael's Griffith Experts site: https://experts.griffith.edu.au/18879-michael-sankey

Michael's ResearchGate handle: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Sankey

Michael's Wordpress Blog: https://michaelsankey.com/

Michael's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsankey/

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Sankey, M. ​​​​​​​2020. Putting the pedagogic horse in front of the technology cart. Journal of Distance Education in China. 5, pp .46-53. DOI:10.13541/j.cnki.chinade.2020.05.006 The English version of this article may be found at: https://michaelsankey.com/2020/05/22/putting-the-pedagogic-horse-in-front-of-the-technology-cart/
  • Sankey, M. 2020. Benchmarking for Technology-enabled learning. In S. Panda and S. Mishra (Eds). Technology-Enabled learning: Policy, Pedagogy and Practice. Chapter 16. pp.213-220. Commonwealth of Learning. BC Canada. ISBN 978-1-894975-98-8.
  • Sankey,

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Professor George Siemens is a clear and articulate voice in online learning. His work extends across connectivism, MOOCs and analytics. His perspectives, practice and publications associated with networks make him a true leader and legend of online learning.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/046-George-Siemens-Final.mp3 | recorded November 2019

George's Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EtknWk4AAAAJ&hl=en

Twitter: @gsiemens

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Dr David Wiley is Chief Academic Officer of Lumen Learning. He has a long history of advocacy for open learning and OER, that includes work with Creative Commons and the Open Education Group. David has clear views about online learning and a perspective well worth sharing.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/045-David-Wiley-Final.mp3 | recorded February 2020

David's profile: https://davidwiley.org/

David's blog: https://opencontent.org/blog/

Nominated links (free to access; all of David's work is open):

  • Wiley, David. Education is Sharing. TEDxNYED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M
  • Wiley, D., Strader, R., & Bodily, R. (2020). Continuous Improvement of Instructional Materials. In J. McDonald & R. E. West, Design for Learning: Principles, Processes, and Praxis. EdTech Books. https://edtechbooks.org/id/continuous_improvement
  • Wiley, D. & Hilton, J. (2018). Defining OER-Enabled Pedagogy. International Review of Research on Open and Distance Learning 19(4). http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/3601
  • Wiley, D. (2017). The Evolving Economics of Educational Materials and Open Educational Resources: Toward Closer Alignment with the Core Values of Education. In R. A. Reiser & J. V. Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education. https://opencontent.org/blog/archives/4859

Twitter: @opencontent

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Professor Mark Brown is Ireland's first Chair in Digital Learning and Director of the National Institute for Digital Learning, based in Dublin. Mark has a rich publication record and has maintained representation across several professional bodies across his career.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/044-Mark-Brown-final.mp3 | recorded July 2020

Mark's profile: https://www.dcu.ie/nidl/people/director.shtml

Mark's research: https://www.dcu.ie/nidl/people/director.shtml#Scholarly

Mark's social media links: https://www.dcu.ie/nidl/people/director.shtml#Social

Twitter: @mbrownz

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Dr Cathy Cavanaugh is Chief Technology Officer at the Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida. Cathy has an extensive career history in online education and teaching, and she shares some of the insight gleaned from years of effective K12 practice.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/043-Cathy-Cavanaugh-final.mp3 | recorded June 2020

Cathy's profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathycavanaugh/

Cathy's Google citations: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=WdZQ0O8AAAAJ

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Cavanaugh, C. & DeWeese, A. (2020). Understanding the Professional Learning and Support Needs of Educators during the Initial Weeks of Pandemic School Closures through Search Terms and Content Use. Journal of Technology in Teacher Education 28(2). https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/216073/
  • Cavanaugh, C., Maor, D. & McCarthy, A. (2018). Mobile learning. In K. Kennedy & R.E. Ferdig (Eds.), Handbook of research on K-12 online and blended learning (2nd ed., pp. 574-591). Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.
  • Rogers-Estable, M., Cavanaugh, C., Simonson, M., Finucane, T., & McIntosh, A. (2018). Virtual Learning Design and Delivery. Creative Commons OER ebook. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/virtuallearningdesigndelivery/
  • Cavanaugh, C., Mayberry, J., & Hargis, J. (2016). Participation in the Virtual Environment of Blended College Courses: An Activity Study of Student Performance. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 17(3). http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1811

Nominated works (require purchase):

  • Cavanaugh, C., Kelley, G. & McCarthy, A. (2018). Implementing New Technologies to Enhance Professional Learning. In A. Novack & C. Weber, Eds., Best Practices in Professional Learning and Teacher Preparation: Methods and Strategies for Gifted Professional Development S.l.: Prufrock Press.
  • Cavanaugh, C. & Roe, M. (2019). Developing Pedagogy and Course Design Skills in Novice Virtual School Teachers. Journal of Online Learning Research 5(1) 5-22. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/182244/
  • Cavanaugh, C. (2014). Blended education for elementary and secondary students. In Slavin, R., Ed., Proven Programs Education: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
  • Cavanaugh, C. (2013). Student achievement in elementary and high school. In M. Moore (ed.) Handbook of Distance Education, 3rd edition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Twitter: @cathycavanaugh

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Professor Don Olcott, Jr. has held academic posts across the world and is well known for his scholarly work and professional membership in distance and online education. Don has multiple research interests and rich experience as you'll learn in this interview.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/042-Don-Olcott-final.mp3 | recorded June 2020

Don's extended profile: Shared Google document

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Prinsloo, P., Blaschke, L. M., & Olcott, D. J. (2020). How do we know they are learning? Student data and the synergies of human and artificial intelligence (AI). Proceedings of the 2020 European Network for Distance and eLearning (EDEN) Annual Conference (Online), 21-24 June, Timișoară, România. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wgw9xa9QIDwALoq1yEe6h1dE6mNV1EQU/view?usp=sharing
  • Olcott, D. J. (2020). The leadership imperative: Back to the future after the Coronva-19Pandemic. Published by the International Council of Open and Distance Education (ICDE), April 2020. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mzrge8zukdf4VtDaqZ2H943roYHCDhl_/view?usp=sharing
  • Olcott, D. J. (2014). African Virtual University (AVU) quality assurance framework for open and distance learning. Nairobi, Kenya: AVU. https://avu.org/avuweb/en/avu-at-a-glance/avu-reports/ [note link may not be secure; if not, try publisher http://www.atwoodpublishing.com/]
  • Olcott, D. J. (2014). Making connections: Adaptive learning communities (ALCs). Microsoft Worldwide Education White Paper Series. Seattle: Microsoft. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ORO7RzMoa0W1mvXHd3Lp_-qlEt3vaCfq/view?usp=sharing
  • Wills, S., Dalagarno, B. & Olcott, D. J. (2015). Destination 2020: A roadmap for CSU’s Online future: CSU distance education strategy. Bathurst, NWS, Australia: Charles Sturt University. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gN1tV5ohIdH8GN0iHHcPzbOGKqCSemoi/view?usp=sharing
  • Olcott, D. (2010). Par for the course. The Times Higher Education. 8-14 April 2010, No.1,942: 31-35. A special supplement to The Times, London, UK. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2V8KWsW8rS7BIJCfAqmYkEvDQp0vMnz/view?usp=sharing

Nominated works (require purchase):

  • Olcott, D. J., & Hardy, D. (Eds). (2005). Dancing on the glass ceiling: Women,
    leadership,and technology
    . Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing.
    https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Glass-Ceiling-Leadership-
    Technology/dp/1891859595
  • Johnson, M. J. Hanna, D. E., & Olcott, D. J., (2003). Bridging the Gap:
    Leadership, technology and organizational change for university deans and
    chairpersons
    . Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing.
    https://www.amazon.com/Bridging-Gap-Leadership-Organizational-
    Chairpersons/dp/189185948X

Twitter: @DonOlcott

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Professor Olaf Zawacki-Richter, Director of the Centre for Open Education Research and the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the Carl Von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, makes an important contribution to literature in distance, open and online education. Olaf's work spans the important transition of distance to online education and continues to help define its development.

Interview: https://episodes.castos.com/onlinelearninglegends/041-Olaf-Zawacki-Richter-final.mp3 | recorded May 2020

Olaf's profile: https://uol.de/coer/coer-members/dr-olaf-zawacki-richter

Nominated links (free to access):

  • Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – where are the educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
  • Zawacki-Richter, O., Kerres, M., Bedenlier, S., Bond, M., & Buntins, K. (Eds.). (2020). Systematic reviews in educational research: Methodology, perspectives and application. Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-27602-7
  • Zawacki-Richter, O., & Anderson, T. (Eds.). (2014). Online distance education—Towards a research agenda. Athabasca University Press. http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120233
  • Zawacki-Richter, O., & Latchem, C. (2018). Exploring four decades of research in Computers & Education. Computers & Education, 122, 136–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.04.001
  • Qayyum, A., & Zawacki-Richter, O. (Eds.). (2018). Open and Distance Education in Australia, Europe and the Americas: National Perspectives in a Digital Age (Vol. 1). Springer. https://www.springer.com/la/book/9789811302978
  • Zawacki-Richter, O., & Qayyum, A. (Eds.). (2019). Open and Distance Education in Asia, Africa and the Middle East: National Perspectives in a Digital Age (Vol. 2). Springer. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9789811357862

Twitter: @Zawacki_Richter