ABOUT THE TEAM
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation promoting the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL focusses on quality learning that leads to secure livelihoods and economic opportunities, greater harmony among all members of society as global citizens, and protection of the environment. It is more than formal education, taking place in non-formal and informal settings, and can continue throughout life.
Athabasca University is Canada’s Open University and provides learning for life. Through the achievements of its students, faculty and staff, AU stands out as a provider of high quality post-secondary education, representing a rigorous, high quality university education accessible for adult learners worldwide. Athabasca University's MOOCs in partnership with the COL are offered through the Centre for Distance Education in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
ERICA GROSSI
JENINE HAWRYLUK
MELISSA HODGKINSON
CARMEN JENSEN-TEBB
Athabasca University is Canada’s Open University and provides learning for life. Through the achievements of its students, faculty and staff, AU stands out as a provider of high quality post-secondary education, representing a rigorous, high quality university education accessible for adult learners worldwide. Athabasca University's MOOCs in partnership with the COL are offered through the Centre for Distance Education in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
YOUR INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
Your instructional team will be working directly with you throughout the MOOC as you explore the course resources, share ideas, and participate in workshop sessions.
DR MARTHA CLEVELAND-INNES
YOUR LEAD INSTRUCTOR AND COURSE AUTHOR
Dr Martha Cleveland-Innes is Professor of Education Innovation at Athabasca University. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the bilingual Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology. Martha is also the author of the Guide to Blended Learning and instructor, co-designer, and researcher for the open online course Blended Learning Practice. The 2nd edition of Introduction to Distance Education: Teaching and Learning in a New Era, which she co-edited, was released by Taylor & Francis in 2021. She has held major research grants supporting research on the technology-enabled student experience. In 2019 Martha received an Honorary Doctorate from Mid-Sweden University and the Leadership Award from the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education. Her research interest areas include 1) online and blended learning, 2) communities of inquiry, 3) higher education reform and lifelong learning, and 4) leadership in education. Martha is currently Visiting Professor of Pedagogy at Mid-Sweden University.
DAN WILTON
YOUR MOOC INSPIRER
Dan Wilton has over twenty years’ experience as an online instructor. He is an instructional designer and analytics specialist for MOOCs and other online initiatives in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Athabasca University, where he is also currently completing his doctoral studies into educational research collaboration. As Course Inspirer and lead facilitator for LCTL, he will be working closely with the course facilitators to help monitor course activity, address any general questions or concerns, and provide guidance and suggestions based upon the feedback and progress of the MOOC participants, as well as your direct contact for registration and your status within the course.
FACILITATOR
Erica Grossi is a graduate of the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program at Athabasca University and lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, with her fiancé and two dogs. Erica enjoys being part of her academic and home communities. Erica works within her community providing tutoring and assisting in course design for adult learners at a local non-profit organization and works for a company providing academic coaching and strategies to post-secondary students. She also sits on the board of directors as the President/Chairperson and on multiple committees for a non-profit organization. As one of your facilitators, Erica will join you in the discussions and other activities throughout the course.
FACILITATOR
Jenine Hawryluk is a doctoral student in distance education at Athabasca University. She has taught English for Academic Purposes in Canada and Lithuania, specifically focusing on academic writing, as well as English as a Second or Other Language and facilitated teacher training in several countries. Jenine is particularly interested in pedagogical approaches used in different intercultural contexts. She has two teen foster children, loves to create macrame wall hangings, and is looking forward to traveling again in the future. Jenine has facilitated in Learning to Learn Online, Blended Learning Practice, and Technology-Enhanced Learning and brings that experience to support you in LCTL.
FACILITATOR
Melissa Hodgkinson is a part time faculty member with St. Lawrence College in Canada, as well as a candidate in the Master of Education in Open, Digital and Distance Education program at Athabasca University, with a concentration in leadership. She lives in Prescott, Ontario, a small town along the St. Lawrence River, and has been a leader in the non-profit, small business, and health care sectors, recently playing an active role as lead at a Covid-19 assessment and mass vaccination centre in eastern Ontario. As one of your facilitators, Melissa will share with you her interest in the online learning experience as well as her optimism about the impact technology-enabled learning can have in rural and remote areas and the learning and working opportunities the digital world has to offer.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT TEAM
In addition to the direct support from your instructional team, LCTL MOOC draws from the deep experience in leadership, digital education, and project management from both Athabasca University and the Commonwealth of Learning.
DR NATHANIEL OSTASHEWSKI
CO-AUTHOR AND CONTENT EXPERT
Dr Nathaniel Ostashewski is an Associate Professor with the Athabasca University Distance Education Program where he teaches graduate courses in distance education, educational technology, and online learning. Working at universities in Australia and Canada, he has been developing and researching MOOC designs since 2009, including both practice and research in cMOOCs and iMOOCs. His current research interests include technology-enabled learning and pedagogy, online & blended learning, social media in online education, OERs, and digital media (including iPads and 3D Printers) implementation in education.
PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR
Carmen is a graduate student in distance education at Athabasca University, where she is also the Project Administrator in Open, Digital, and Distance Education in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences providing support for special projects, collaborations, and the education MOOC offerings of Blended Learning Practice, Technology-Enabled Learning, Learning to Learn Online, and Learning to Learn Online Express. Carmen also serves as the Managing Editor for the bilingual Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology.
DR SANJAYA MISHRA
DIRECTOR: EDUCATION, COMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING
Dr Sanjaya Mishra is one of the leading scholars in open, distance, and online learning with extensive experience in teaching, staff development, research, policy development, innovation, and organisational development. With a multi-disciplinary background in education, information science, communication media, and learning and development, Dr Mishra has been promoting the use of educational multimedia, eLearning, open educational resources (OER), and open access to scientific information to increase access to quality education and lifelong learning for all. He has designed and developed award-winning online courses and platforms, such as the Understanding Open Educational Resources, Commonwealth Digital Education Leadership Training in Action, and COLCommons.
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