Overview
Background
My research is in the discipline of higher education and focuses on university teacher beliefs, thinking and practices in relation to the use of educational technologies in teaching & learning. I am also interested in learning designs to support authentic learning approaches using new and emerging technologies such as Web 2.0/3.0 technologies, mobile technologies and 3D immersive environments.
Caroline Steel’s research is in the use of current and emerging educational technologies primarily in university and more recently as applied to the field of Technology-Enhanced Language Learning. She is President and Executive Member of ascilite (Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education). Her research into educational technologies draws on teacher and learner beliefs and affordance theories to investigate learner and teacher preferences and current uses of technology in education. She was lead researcher on a large multi-university research project that investigated the transitional experiences, motivational factors, technology preferences and uses of language students across 3 universities.
Caroline has worked in education-related fields for nearly 20 years as a language teacher, curriculum designer, university teacher educator and now research fellow. Caroline's PhD investigated university teachers' pedagogical beliefs, beliefs about web technologies and how these are enacted in practice. In her research she draws on a number of qualitative research approaches and methods including stimulated recall and concept mapping. Caroline teaches the Masters of Education course ‘Creating classrooms of the future with educational technology' and an undergraduate course in ‘Languages and Technology’.
Availability
- Dr Caroline Steel is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, Griffith University
- Postgraduate Diploma, Griffith University
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
Research interests
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University learner & teacher beliefs & practices: Technologies, learning and teaching
The ways that both learners and teacher approach their use of technologies can be facilitated or constrained by their beliefs about the role and value of technologies in their learning and teaching practices. However other contextual and pedagogical factors also need to be taken into account. These need to be considered in the ways we assist learners and teachers to transform their practices with technology.
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Mobile learning, Mobile applications for learning, Mobile-assisted language learning
Student perspectives and experiences of using mobile devices and applications to support their universities studies.
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University students' digital preparedness for using technologies for learning
I am particularly interested in how students use their own technologies for learning and how we can help them to evaluate the potential of their own technologies to help them learn (especially for mobile-enabled learning).
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Technology-supported authentic learning approaches and designs
Designing for authentic learning experiences enabled by technologies.
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Leadership that enables technology innovation
Technology innovation can be risky and can also be constrained by leadership practices. What kinds of leadership practices and approaches can enable technology innovation?
Works
Search Professor Caroline Steel’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Conference Publication
The potential of Augmented Reality to amplify learning and achieve high performance in the flow of work
Steel, Caroline (2019). The potential of Augmented Reality to amplify learning and achieve high performance in the flow of work. 36th International Conference of Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education - ASCILITE 2019, Singapore, 2 - 5 December 2019. Tugun, QLD Australia: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education.
2017
Book Chapter
Enabling effective mobile language learning: students' perspectives, wants and needs
Steel, Caroline H. (2017). Enabling effective mobile language learning: students' perspectives, wants and needs. Mobile learning in higher education in the Asia-Pacific region. (pp. 523-539) edited by Angela Murphy, Helen Farley, Laurel Evelyn Dyson and Hazel Jones. Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-4944-6_25
2015
Journal Article
Language learner perspectives on the functionality and use of electronic language dictionaries
Levy, Mike and Steel, Caroline (2015). Language learner perspectives on the functionality and use of electronic language dictionaries. ReCALL, 27 (2), 177-196. doi: 10.1017/S095834401400038X
2014
Conference Publication
Rhetoric and reality: critical perspectives on education in a 3D virtual world
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Wood, Denise, Butler, Des, Pasfield-Neofitou, Sarah, Hearns, Merle, de Freitas, Sarah, Farley, Helen, Warren, Ian, Jacka, Lisa, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Cox, Robert, Crowther, Patricia, Atkins, Clare, McDonald, Marcus, Reiners, Torsten, Wood, Lincoln, Sim, Jenny, Grant, Scott, Campbell, Chris, Hillier, Mathew, Meredith, Grant, Steel, Caroline, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, Zagami, Jason, Sukunesan, Suku, Gaukrodger, Belma, Schutt, Stefan, Le Rossignol, Karen ... Wang, Xiangyu (2014). Rhetoric and reality: critical perspectives on education in a 3D virtual world. ascilite2014: Rhetoric and Reality, Dunedin, NZ, 23-26 November, 2014. Dunedin, NZ: ascilite: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education.
2013
Journal Article
Language students and their technologies: charting the evolution 2006-2011
Steel, Caroline H. and Levy, Mike (2013). Language students and their technologies: charting the evolution 2006-2011. ReCALL, 25 (3), 306-320. doi: 10.1017/S0958344013000128
2013
Conference Publication
Virtual worlds in Australian and New Zealand higher education: remembering the past, understanding the present and imagining the future
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Reiners, Torsten, Fardinpour, Ali, Hillier, Mathew, Lee, Mark J. W., Jacka, Lisa, Butler, Des, Holloway, David, Grant, Scott, Hearns, Merle, Flintoff, Kim, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, Ellis, David, McDonald, Marcus, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Gaukrodger, Belma, Zagami, Jason, Campbell, Chris, Wang, Xiangyu, Garcia Salinas, Jamie, Loke, Swee-Kin, Scutter, Sheila, Newman, Christine, Gu, Ning, Schutt, Stefan, Farley, Helen, Bogdanovych, Anton, Trescak, Tomas ... Larson, Ian (2013). Virtual worlds in Australian and New Zealand higher education: remembering the past, understanding the present and imagining the future. Electric Dreams: 30th ascilite Conference, North Ryde, NSW, Australia, 1-4 December 2013. North Ryde, NSW, Australia: Macquarie University.
2012
Journal Article
Linking theory to practice in learning technology research
Gunn, Cathy and Steel, Caroline (2012). Linking theory to practice in learning technology research. Research in Learning Technologies, 20 (2) 16148, 16148.1-16148.14. doi: 10.3402/rlt.v20i0.16148
2012
Journal Article
The challenges and opportunities for professional societies in higher education in Australasia: A PEST analysis
Doherty, Iain, Steel, Caroline and Parrish, Doninique (2012). The challenges and opportunities for professional societies in higher education in Australasia: A PEST analysis. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 28 (1), 105-121. doi: 10.14742/ajet.886
2012
Book Chapter
Re-imagining teaching for technology - Enriched learning spaces: An academic development model
Steel, Caroline and Andrews, Trish (2012). Re-imagining teaching for technology - Enriched learning spaces: An academic development model. Physical and Virtual Learning Spaces in Higher Education: Concepts for the Modern Learning Environment. (pp. 242-265) edited by Mike Keppell, Kay Souter and Matthew Riddle. Hershey, PA, U.S.A.: Information Science Reference. doi: 10.4018/978-1-60960-114-0.ch015
2012
Conference Publication
Sustaining the future through virtual worlds
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Hillier, Mathew, Jacka, Lisa, Schutt, Stefan, Ellis, David, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Wood, Denise, Masters, Yvonne, Farley, Helen, Orwin, Lindy, Stupans, Ieva, Scutter, Sheila, Warren, Ian, Steel, Caroline, Neuendorf, Penelope, Bower, Matt, Miller, Charlynn, Mathews, Shane, Butler, Des, Hearns, Merle, Garcia, Jaime, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, Brown, Ross, Grant, Meredith, Muir-Cochran, Eimear, Flintoff, Kim, Grant, Scott, Atkins, Clare ... McCarthy, Angela (2012). Sustaining the future through virtual worlds. 29th Annual ascilite Conference 2012 (ascilite2012), Wellington, New Zealand, 25-28 November 2012. Wellington, New Zealand: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite).
2012
Book
University teachers' beliefs and practices: pedagogy and technology
Steel, Caroline (2012). University teachers' beliefs and practices: pedagogy and technology. Saarbruken, Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
2012
Conference Publication
The Brisbane Universities Language Alliance (BULA)1: a collaborative framework for university languages provision in South-East Queensland
Levy, Mike and Steel, Caroline (2012). The Brisbane Universities Language Alliance (BULA)1: a collaborative framework for university languages provision in South-East Queensland. The Next Step: Introducing the Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities, Melbourne, Australia, 26-28 September 2011. Sydney, Australia: Office for Teaching and Learning, DEEWR.
2012
Book Chapter
Multiple sensorial media and presence in 3D environments
Farley, Helen and Steel, Caroline (2012). Multiple sensorial media and presence in 3D environments. Multiple Sensorial Media Advances and Applications: New Developments in MulSeMedia. (pp. 39-58) edited by George Ghinea, Frederic Andres and Stephen Gulliver. Hershey, PA, United States: Information Science Reference. doi: 10.4018/978-1-60960-821-7.ch002
2012
Conference Publication
Fitting learning into life: language students’ perspectives on benefits of using mobile apps
Steel, Caroline (2012). Fitting learning into life: language students’ perspectives on benefits of using mobile apps. 29th Annual ascilite Conference 2012 (ascilite2012), Wellington, New Zealand, 25 - 28 November 2012. Wellington, New Zealand: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite).
2011
Conference Publication
A portrait of evaluation studies of learning technology innovations 2005-2010: Addressing the elephant in the room
Steel, Caroline and Gunn, Cathy (2011). A portrait of evaluation studies of learning technology innovations 2005-2010: Addressing the elephant in the room. ascilite 2011, Hobart, Australia, 4-7 December 2011. Hobart, Australia: The University of Tasmania.
2010
Edited Outputs
Curriculum, technology & transformation for an unknown future. Proceedings ascilite Sydney 2010
Caroline Steel, Mike Keppell, Philippa Gerbic and Simon Housego eds. (2010). Curriculum, technology & transformation for an unknown future. Proceedings ascilite Sydney 2010. ascilite 2010, Sydney, Australia, 5-8 December 2010. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensand.
2010
Book Chapter
Teaching online: Issues and challenges for on-campus and distance instruction
Steel, Caroline (2010). Teaching online: Issues and challenges for on-campus and distance instruction. An academic life: A handbook for new academics. (pp. 83-96) edited by Robert H. Cantwell and Jill J. Scevak. Camberwell, Vic., Australia: ACER Press.
2009
Other Outputs
The interrelationship between university teachers' pedagogical beliefs, beliefs about web technologies and web practices
Steel, Caroline Helen (2009). The interrelationship between university teachers' pedagogical beliefs, beliefs about web technologies and web practices. PhD Thesis, School of Languages and Comp Cultural Studies, The University of Queensland.
2009
Book Chapter
Responding to learners' need for choice: Flexible learning modes for creating and e-learning community
van den Eynde, Julie, Newcombe, Peter and Steel, Caroline (2009). Responding to learners' need for choice: Flexible learning modes for creating and e-learning community. Flexible learning. (pp. 182-189) edited by B.V.S Prasad and G. Sushuma. Hyderabad, India: Icfai University Press.
2009
Conference Publication
A quest for the holy grail: Tactile percision, natural movement and haptic feedback in 3D virtual spaces
Farley, H. and Steel, C.H. (2009). A quest for the holy grail: Tactile percision, natural movement and haptic feedback in 3D virtual spaces. Same places, different spaces, Auckland, New Zealand, 6-9 December, 2009. Auckland, New Zealand: The University of Auckland; Auckland University of Technology; The Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite).
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Caroline Steel is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
'Prescriptions for Success': a mixed methods exploration of engagement, learning and academic performance among successful CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) and non-CALD pharmacy students at a research-intensive Australian university
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Shaw, Dr Catherine Manathunga
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Developing intercultural competence with Web 2.0 technologies in an EFL context
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Barbara Hanna
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Persistence: The Experiences of Successful Female Distance Learners in Higher Education in Botswana
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Moni
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Willingness to Communicate by Arab EFL Learners: Conceptualization and Realization
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Caroline Steel directly for media enquiries about:
- Academic staff development
- Academics and teaching skills
- Affordance theories - education
- Blogs
- CALL - languages, technology
- Case-based learning
- Distance learning
- Education - new learning technologies
- Education - web technology
- eLearning
- Innovation in learning
- Internet learning
- Learning - and technology
- Learning - Internet/electronic
- Learning and web technologies
- New generation learning spaces
- Podcasting
- Teaching and technology
- Teaching methods
- Technology - in learning
- Web technology and learning
- Wikis
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