Past event
Critical and Theoretical Approaches to EdTech Research
This event is now fully booked. Please email events@bera.ac.uk to be placed on the waiting list.
This planned mid-year Joint BERA Educational Technology SIG/BJET Wiley networking event aims to provide a reflective space to continue and deepen critical and theoretical discussions on the field of educational technology research.
Initial debates on this have previously been organised at BERA SIG meetings and seminars held during BERA 2012-16 conferences as well as in Wiley BJET-BERA SIG joint events (see, e.g., BERA 2012: Redefining the Field of Educational Technology; BERA 2016: ‘Critically Rethinking the Field of EdTech’ SIG Innovation Session).
Critical literature relating to the evolution of the field previously published by research experts will be considered (see, e.g., selected examples: Bulfin, Friesen, 2008, 2009; Haßler, Major & Hennessy, 2016; Hlynka & Belland, 1991; Jameson, 2013; Johnson & Bigum, 2015; Latchem, 2014; Nichols, 2003; OECD, 2015: Oliver, 2011; Scanlon, 2014; Scanlon & Issroff, 2005; Selwyn, 2010, 2011, 2015, & numerous others).
Invited keynote speakers will provide informed perspectives on the field, considering, e.g. the extent to which theoretical perspectives have or have not influenced research outputs. Hosted by the Open University and convened in a collaborative way by the OU, BJET and SIG teams, the seminar will provide an informed, open and spontaneous opportunity for debate, enabling extensive participation from the audience, and allowing newer researchers to join in. Publications following the event will be encouraged by the BJET Editorial Team and BERA EdTech SIG Convenors. The seminar will therefore extend the discussions held in prior events which have debated various challenges, influencing the field of educational technology research.
Programme:
| 09.30 | Registration, tea and coffee |
| 10.00 | Introduction: Exploring Critical and Theoretical Approaches to Ed Tech Research Dr Christothea Herodotou: Welcome to The Open University Professor Jill Jameson, BERA Ed Tech SIG Convenor, University of Greenwich |
| 10.15 | Educational technology: why should we care? Professor Martin Oliver, UCL Institute of Education, Keynote Speaker |
| 10.40 | Discussion in pairs: 2-3 Questions from Martin to discuss; brief feedback |
| 10.50 | Tea/coffee break |
| 11.10 | Criticality in reporting Ed Tech research: The BJET Editorial perspective Dr Sara Hennessy, BJET Editorial team, University of Cambridge (on behalf of the BJET Editors: Carina Girvan, Sara Hennessy, Manolis Mavrikis, Sara Price, Niall Winters, and collaborators Bjoern Hassler and Louis Major) |
| 11.25 | Discussion in small groups: 2-3 Questions from Sara and the BJET team to discuss |
| 11.50 | Groups feedback into Plenary Discussion |
| 12.15 | Lunch break |
| 13.00 | TEL: Interdisciplinarity and Inquiry Professor Eileen Scanlon, Regius Professor of Open Education, The Open University |
| 13.25 | Discussion in small groups: 2-3 Questions from Eileen to discuss |
| 14.00 | Plenary feedback from groups |
| 14.15 | Tea/coffee break |
| 14.45 | Workshop choices:
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| 15.45 | Next steps |
| 16.00 | Close of meeting |
Bursaries
BERA offer a limited amount of bursaries for BERA Student Members only.
- Bursaries are available for BERA Student Members to the value of £50 towards travel, and complimentary registration for the event.
To apply for one of these bursaries, please email events@bera.ac.uk with a 200 word statement on why you want to attend this event. Bursaries are offered on a first come, first served basis. Once approved you will be sent details of how to register online. Travel expenses will be reimbursed after the event in accordance with our travel policies. You must not have previously received bursary funding from BERA.