Steve Wheeler is Associate Professor of Learning Technologies at the Plymouth Institute of Education, Plymouth University, where he chairs the Learning Futures group and leads the Computing education team. Specialising in media, technology and learning, Steve teaches in the UK, overseas and online, on undergraduate and post-graduate teacher education. His research delves into technology-supported learning and distance education, with particular emphasis on the pedagogy underlying the use of social media and Web 2.0 technologies. His other research interests include mobile learning, cyber-cultures, the digital praxis, and learning through handheld technologies. Currently the UK Chair of the Network of Academics and Professionals (NAP) Steering Committee of the European Distance and E-learning Network (EDEN), Steve has presented keynotes and invited lectures in more than 30 countries. The author of several books, including The Digital Classroom (Routledge: 2008), Connected Minds, Emerging Cultures (Information Age: 2009) and Learning with ‘e’s (Crowne: 2015), Steve is also the prolific edublogger behind the much-visited blog Learning with ‘e’s (http://www.steve-wheeler.co.uk/).
WORKSHOP:
“Social Media and Learning: Why Technology Will Transform Higher Education”
This workshop opens the door on social media and social networks. It offers participants a fast moving, dynamic and engaging discovery of some of the new and emerging pedagogies, practices and theories around learning with new technologies. We will cover a number of concepts including wisdom of crowds, personal learning networks, social tagging, collaborative online learning and how to use social media to discover, repurpose, amplify and share ideas. We will also explore new and emerging theories such as rhizomatic learning, connectivism, paragogy and heutagogy – theories for the digital age. Be prepared to get involved, run around the room, argue, shout and throw things as we discover what it means to be a connected educator!