Niki is an Emerita Adjunct Professor having retired from her leadership position as Distinguished Professor of e-Learning. She is known as a leader in the field of change with digital technologies in education, particularly initial teacher education. She began her career in the UK, where she became one of the first women to become a professor in this field before moving to Iowa State University in the YSA. Although she has retired from full time work, she continues as an adjunct professor and as Professor Emerita at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. Address: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
This article presents a descriptive case study on the first experience moving a required teacher ... more This article presents a descriptive case study on the first experience moving a required teacher preparation instructional technology course from the university classroom into an elementary school setting. The key motivation was to help future teachers become more adept at integrating technology into their practice by learning about commonly used applications and best practices in an authentic setting, framed within a constructivist approach. In addition to lab time focused on the acquisition of computer skills, the course design included classrooms visits and observations, conversations with teachers and the principal, and development of a lesson or unit plan. The format was an intense one-week workshop, meeting for six hours each day and co-taught by two university faculty and a school-based coordinator, instead of a quarter-long course meeting once or twice a week for two hours or less with a single instructor. Students reacted very favorably to the course format and location. De...
Using Information Technology Effectively in Teaching and Learning Computers are not often associa... more Using Information Technology Effectively in Teaching and Learning Computers are not often associated with passion or culture, yet the use of information technology still has a surprisingly emotional effect on many people, including teachers and learners. This emotion may be ...
In this article we examine key issues and tensions for developing and specifying Computing-relate... more In this article we examine key issues and tensions for developing and specifying Computing-related elements of curricula design, particularly the role of Computer Science in the curriculum. The article is based on a series of discussions and analyses of curriculum design across various countries with different approaches and traditions of Computing in the curriculum.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Potentially addictive behaviours supported by the internet and mobile phones raise concerns in ed... more Potentially addictive behaviours supported by the internet and mobile phones raise concerns in education services for early childhood. Although there is evidence that screen media can distract the attention of young children, there was a massive uptake of digital devices by early childhood centres (ECCs). We investigated practices of families (n = 85) and of six ECCs serving vulnerable children in New Zealand, many of whom are emergent bilinguals. Descriptions of the limited and exemplary choice of screen media of the ECCs include digital portfolios containing children’s learning stories in multiple languages illustrated with digital photos. This was facilitated by increasing partnership with the families and the inclusion of their languages in the physical and digital landscapes of the ECCs. However, these families and the ECCs are seeking additional guidance to face the complex challenges of the digital world. These early findings from our national research programme, A Better Sta...
Journal of Open Flexible and Distance Learning, Jun 21, 2011
ABSTRACT Many adults need help with literacy learning. This is extremely challenging for the tert... more ABSTRACT Many adults need help with literacy learning. This is extremely challenging for the tertiary education sector and workplace-situated learning organisations. E-learning may be an effective and efficient way to improve the delivery of teaching of basic skills to learners. Our research study included five embedded case studies within one tertiary institution, and a series of stakeholder interviews with representatives across New Zealand. The study found that e-learning opens up greater interaction between adults' study, work, home, and community environments, simply because the learning environment can be extended into those places.
This article presents a descriptive case study on the first experience moving a required teacher ... more This article presents a descriptive case study on the first experience moving a required teacher preparation instructional technology course from the university classroom into an elementary school setting. The key motivation was to help future teachers become more adept at integrating technology into their practice by learning about commonly used applications and best practices in an authentic setting, framed within a constructivist approach. In addition to lab time focused on the acquisition of computer skills, the course design included classrooms visits and observations, conversations with teachers and the principal, and development of a lesson or unit plan. The format was an intense one-week workshop, meeting for six hours each day and co-taught by two university faculty and a school-based coordinator, instead of a quarter-long course meeting once or twice a week for two hours or less with a single instructor. Students reacted very favorably to the course format and location. De...
Using Information Technology Effectively in Teaching and Learning Computers are not often associa... more Using Information Technology Effectively in Teaching and Learning Computers are not often associated with passion or culture, yet the use of information technology still has a surprisingly emotional effect on many people, including teachers and learners. This emotion may be ...
In this article we examine key issues and tensions for developing and specifying Computing-relate... more In this article we examine key issues and tensions for developing and specifying Computing-related elements of curricula design, particularly the role of Computer Science in the curriculum. The article is based on a series of discussions and analyses of curriculum design across various countries with different approaches and traditions of Computing in the curriculum.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Potentially addictive behaviours supported by the internet and mobile phones raise concerns in ed... more Potentially addictive behaviours supported by the internet and mobile phones raise concerns in education services for early childhood. Although there is evidence that screen media can distract the attention of young children, there was a massive uptake of digital devices by early childhood centres (ECCs). We investigated practices of families (n = 85) and of six ECCs serving vulnerable children in New Zealand, many of whom are emergent bilinguals. Descriptions of the limited and exemplary choice of screen media of the ECCs include digital portfolios containing children’s learning stories in multiple languages illustrated with digital photos. This was facilitated by increasing partnership with the families and the inclusion of their languages in the physical and digital landscapes of the ECCs. However, these families and the ECCs are seeking additional guidance to face the complex challenges of the digital world. These early findings from our national research programme, A Better Sta...
Journal of Open Flexible and Distance Learning, Jun 21, 2011
ABSTRACT Many adults need help with literacy learning. This is extremely challenging for the tert... more ABSTRACT Many adults need help with literacy learning. This is extremely challenging for the tertiary education sector and workplace-situated learning organisations. E-learning may be an effective and efficient way to improve the delivery of teaching of basic skills to learners. Our research study included five embedded case studies within one tertiary institution, and a series of stakeholder interviews with representatives across New Zealand. The study found that e-learning opens up greater interaction between adults' study, work, home, and community environments, simply because the learning environment can be extended into those places.
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Papers by Niki Davis