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About Mark Nichols

About Mark Nichols

Professional introduction

I am ED Faculty with the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. Previous to that I was e-learning specialist (and member of faculty) with Laidlaw College (was the Bible College of New Zealand), a broad role that includes everything from LMS administration through to tutor training, course design through to change management, strategy through to research. I chaired the Mahara project and served with a VERY talented team, and am a member of the DEANZ executive (I am editor of The Journal of Flexible, Open and Distance Learning as well). I was recognised as a Flexible Learning Leader in New Zealand (2005-2006) and also convened the ITPNZ (polytechnic sector) e-learning forum while working in that sector. Past research has been in the areas of e-learning theory, institutional change, ePortfolio implementation, and Web 2.0. At the moment my research activity is directed at my PhD (see below).I have also authored a series of E-Primers, scholarly yet accessible introductions to e-learning drawing on substantial (and peer-reviewed) research. These are available through Ako Aotearoa and have been well received.

Personal introduction

I live in Avondale, Auckland having recently moved north from Palmerston North with my wife and youngest son, though we will soon be making a shift to Lower Hutt. I'm 40, married to Charlotte and have two children (Joshua and Elliott). I've been a Christian since my 21st birthday.

I read titles on education, theology, history and popular non-fiction (for fun) - recently I've read Fisk's The great war for civilisation and Diamond's Guns, germs and steel. I also enjoy BBQing, water pistol fights, running, listening to classical music (and, most recently, Genesis - I was at Western Springs '87! - and Jars of Clay) and supping wine with my wife.

I have always had a love for the Scriptures, and I have been fortunate enough to have been able to preach in church many times over the years and to have served as an elder. I make frequent use of Logos and enjoy Bible study in the original languages.

Education

Academically I graduated from Waikato University in 1995 with a BMS (Management Studies, with honours) then completed an MAODE (as in Open and Distance Education, with distinction) with the Open University, UK in 2001. I attended my online graduation ceremony in my pyjamas, perhaps the first NZ postgraduate graduant to do so legitimately. My wife and her parents also attended in their pyjamas, so reluctantly I am unable to share the graduation photos . In 2008 I started PhD study with Otago University, looking at personal and spiritual formation through distance education. My ChrEdITs blog (see right hand column) updates my progress.

Work history

Over the years I have worked as a tutor for a retail training programme, a senior lecturer at UCOL, a polytechnic (in marketing and business communication), an e-learning consultant (at the same polytechnic), a course designer and tutor trainer (for the Bible College of New Zealand, part-time), and strategic e-learning facilitator for the College of Education (Massey University) before starting in 2007 as e-learning specialist for Laidlaw College (was BCNZ). I have also performed some freelance consultancy in the areas of distance education and e-learning.

I have a reasonably extensive publication history in e-learning that includes peer-refereed journal outputs and various conference presentations (the latter not included in this ePortfolio).

First Name: Mark
Last Name: Nichols
Country: New Zealand
Occupation: E-learning specialist
Industry: Education

Your Entire Resume

Contact Information

Town	Lower Hutt
City/Region	Wellington
Country	New Zealand
Mobile Phone	+64 27 6424145

History

Employment History

Start date	End date	Position
2007		E-Learning Specialist: Laidlaw College (formerly BCNZ) E-learning strategy, systems development, department management, professional development, user support; a broad role appropriate for the size of institution. I am employed as a member of faculty (non-teaching), in recognition of my research activities. The job title is undergoing review to reflect the stronger educational development emphasis. In my time at Laidlaw College we have adopted hybrid course design, online assignment submission, online course evaluation and integration of Moodle with email across the entire institution.
2005	2006	Strategic E-Learning Facilitator (SELF), College of Education: Massey University E-learning strategy for the College of Education, institutional development, project management, professional development, liaising with university departments, e-learning research.
1996	2005	Senior lecturer, then e-learning consultant: UCOL Senior lecturer, business studies. Appointed e-learning consultant once the College made e-learning a priority. The senior lecturer role involved peer mentoring and some training. As e-learning consultant I was concerned with project management, professional development, systems development, and research. My employment 2003-2005 was on a 0.8 basis.
2003	2005	Director, Course Design: Bible College of New Zealand Establishing e-learning systems, training online tutors, course design and planning. Employed at 0.3.

Education History

Start date	End date	Qualification
2008		PhD (Doctorate) at Otago University An investigation to compare the spiritual formation characteristics of on-campus and distance learners.
1998	2000	Master of Arts in Open and Distance Education (Distinction) (Masters) at Open University, UK Distance education theory; instructional technologies and e-learning; my mini-research project was on best practice in resource-based learning, which was later published as a book.
1988	1995	Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) (Degree) at Waikato University Majors were strategic management, entrepreneurship, and marketing.

Certifications, Accreditations, and Awards

Date	Title
2008	Editor, The Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning The Journal is the publication of the Distance Education Association of New Zealand (http://www.deanz.org.nz).
2006	Project Chair, Mahara Proposed, chaired and supervised a successful TEC-funded project ($450,000), which resulted in the creation of Mahara, an open-source ePortfolio platform.
2005	Flexible Learning Leader in New Zealand Recognition of my leadership in the area of e-learning. As a part of the award I researched institutional change with an emphasis on e-learning, resulting in a publication with BJET, and leadership.
2003	Derek Lake Award for Research Awarded by UCOL for success in research.
1998	Commendation for innovation in teaching and learning Awarded by UCOL for activities in e-learning and course design.

Books and Publications

Date	Title
2010	Student perceptions of support services and the influence of targeted interventions on their retention in distance education Accepted for publication in Distance Education 31(1).
2010	The clash of cultures: Hybrid learning course development as management of tension The Journal of Distance Education 24(1), pp.77-90, co-authored with Peter Cowie. This article describes the process of e-learning and hybrid course diffusion at Laidlaw College, with a particular emphasis on lessons learned.
2009	Hybrid Learning at Laidlaw A paper written for the Asian Theological Association conference, Malang, Indonesia. Overviews Laidlaw College's hybrid learning model, and discusses implementation issues. Requested as a book chapter, submitted late 2009.
2009	Retention in distance education (Ako Aotearoa) An investigation into the effectiveness of retention intervention strategies used by the Centre for Distance Learning (CDL) at Laidlaw College. The final report from the project has been submitted for publication.
2007-2009	E-Primer series A series of monographs introducing e-learning related themes. Available from http://akoaotearoa.ac.nz/projects/eprimer-series.
2007	Institutional Perspectives: The challenges of e-learning diffusion Exploratory research into the nature of institutional change relating to e-learning diffusion. Includes a literature review of major articles. The article was 'online early' in 2007, published in the journal 2008: Nichols, M. (2008). "Institutional perspectives: The challenges of e-learning diffusion". British Journal of Educational Technology 39(4), 598-609.
2007	Comparing modes of study: A perspective on Hagel and Shaw on ‘Student’s Perceptions of Study Modes’ An article criticising a primary research investigation by Hagel and Shaw, whose article in the previous issue of the journal was based on an inadequate understanding of distance education and e-learning.
2006	E-learning and early childhood teacher education: what does the future hold? A speculative peer-reviewed article, co-written with a university colleague, suggesting how technology might change the shape of childhood teacher education.
2006	The context for staff development in e-learning An article exploring the perspectives of an e-learning specialist (me) and a lecturer new to e-learning (co-author).
2005	Strategic e-Learning implementation An online discussion article consisting of a pre-discussion paper and post-discussion summary, included in the journal. Co-authored with a university colleague.
2004	The financial benefits of eLearning An article considering the financial cost of e-learning, and the difficulty of evaluating its benefits.
2003	Evaluating flexible delivery across a tertiary institution A paper with a polytechnic colleague reporting on an institutional evaluation of flexible learning and making strategy-based recommendations.
2003	A theory for eLearning A pre-discussion paper and post-discussion report on ten suggested theories for e-learning. A widely cited paper.
2001	Teaching for learning A book based on my MA research into best practice for resource-based learning (including the application of technology). The six principles proposed in the book are based on a sound understanding of adult learning theory. Soon to be released as an open resource.
2000-2010	Keynote addresses and presentations 2010 (June), Keynote at the Blended Learning Conference (The University of Queensland and University of Hertfordshire, Brisbane) 2009, "eGroupthink", invited address ASCILITE, Auckland 2009, "Reframing e-learning: A critical consideration of some core concepts", invited webinar address, TLT (US) and ASCILITE (October) 2009, “Transformative theological education at a distance”, keynote NZATS, Auckland 2008, “What is distance education?”, DEANZ, Wellington 2008, “A critique of Web 2.0”, DEANZ, Wellington 2007, “The e-learning landscape”, keynote CTMES conference, Auckland. 2007, “Institutional perspectives”, invited address at eFest, Wellington. 2007, “ePortfolios and Web presence”, invited address EIFE-L ePortfolio conference, Wellington. Other invited addresses (conferences no longer listed): 2004, “A sane evaluation of eLearning”, Open University, UK; University of Gloucester, UK. 2004, “A sane evaluation of eLearning”, PPTA conference, Wellington. 2003, “The challenge of eLearning”, QPEC conference, Palmerston North. 2003, “The promise of eLearning”, The Correspondence School conference, Wellington. 2002, “Professional presenting: Making your point with power”, Future Vision conference, Lincoln University. 2002, “Is there meaning to our media?”, Canterbury Tertiary Alliance eLearning conference, Christchurch. 2001, “Is there meaning to our media?”, UCOL staff conference, Palmerston North. Various main service speaking engagements (local churches).

Professional Memberships

Start date	End date	Title
2009		Member, Higher Education Research and Development Society http://www.herdsa.org.au/
2006		Member, Association of Learning Technologies (ALT, UK) http://www.alt.ac.uk/
2006		Member, Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) http://www.ascilite.org.au/
2006		Member, Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLAA) http://www.odlaa.org/
2006		Academic Advisory Board member, Carey College I began as the NZQA monitor, then joined the Board after suggesting the College no longer required active monitoring.
2004	2005	Convenor, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand (ITPNZ) E-Learning Forum Convened the group during a pivotal time of its development, leaving only when I began in the university sector. Co-convenor in 2003.
2003		Executive member, Distance Education Association of New Zealand (DEANZ) Treasurer from 2003-2006, no office 2007-2008, journal editor as of 2009.

Career Goals

Serving in a strategic education-related role that requires innovation based on sound research. Leading a team of dynamic professionals who see education as a public good, and who are dedicated to transformational learning based on rich scholarship.

Academic goals

To continuously broaden my perspectives in such a way that my practice is deepened, and my opinions useful to others at a variety of levels.

Blog list

Below you will find two blogs...

e-Ako (a blog started in support of my e-learning monograph series)
ChrEdITs (Christian Education and IT, a PhD-related blog)

e-Ako

Teaching and learning information of specific interest to adult education and the application of technology to adult education

Last updated on 30 July 2010, 3:24 AM

ChrEdITs

Last updated on 30 July 2010, 3:24 AM

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