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Dr Caroline Steel

Adjunct Associate Professor

School of Education
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
c.steel@uq.edu.au

Overview

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’.

Research Interests

  • 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?
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Technology-supported authentic learning approaches and designs
    Designing for authentic learning experiences enabled by technologies.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
  • BA in Modern Asian Studies - Japanese and Economic, Griffith University
  • Postgrad Dip of Adult and Vocational Education, Griffith University
  • MA in Applied Linguistics - Computers Technology , The University of Queensland

Publications

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

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Publications

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Book Chapter

Journal Article

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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • Creativity and constraint: Understanding teacher beliefs and the use of LMS technologies

    Steel, Caroline and Levy, Mike (2009). Creativity and constraint: Understanding teacher beliefs and the use of LMS technologies. 26th Annual ascilite International Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 6-9 December 2009. Auckland, New Zealand: The University of Auckland; Auckland University of Technology; Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite).

  • Using audience response systems (Clickers) for large first year interactive learning sessions

    Galea, Victor J. and Steel, Caroline (2009). Using audience response systems (Clickers) for large first year interactive learning sessions. Blended Learning Conference 2009, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 18 June 2009.

  • Creating community engagement around the concept of ePortfolios: An innovative planning process

    Steel, Caroline H., Ehrmann, Stephen C. and Long, Phillip D. (2008). Creating community engagement around the concept of ePortfolios: An innovative planning process. ascilite 2008 : Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology?, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 30 November - 3 December 2008. Melbourne, Australia: Deakin University.

  • Symposium: International perspectives, case studies and collaborative strategies for developing ePortfolio concepts

    Steel, Caroline, Hallam, Gillian, Harper, Wendy and Gunn, C. (2008). Symposium: International perspectives, case studies and collaborative strategies for developing ePortfolio concepts. 25th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education - "Hello? Where are you in the landscape of educational technology?", ASCILITE 2008, Burwood, VIC Australia, 30 November - 03December 2008. Burwood, Vic Australia: ASCILITE.

  • Challenge FRAP: An e-learning tool used to scaffold authentic problem-solving processes

    Galea, V. J., Stewart, T. and Steel, C. H. (2007). Challenge FRAP: An e-learning tool used to scaffold authentic problem-solving processes. ICT: Providing Choices for Learners and Learning, Singapore, 2-5 December 2007. Singapore: Centre for Educational Development, Nanyang University.

  • Responding to learners' need for choice: Flexible learning modes for creating an e-learning community

    van den Eynde, J. A., Newcombe, P. A. and Steel, C. H. (2007). Responding to learners' need for choice: Flexible learning modes for creating an e-learning community. ascilite Singapore 2007, ICT: Providing Choices for Learners and Learning, Singapore, 2-5 December, 2007. Singapore: The Centre for Educational Development, Nanyang Technical University.

  • What do university students expect from teachers using an LMS?

    Steel, C.H (2007). What do university students expect from teachers using an LMS?. ICT" Providing choices for learners and learning, ascilite, SIngapore, 2007, Singapore, 2-5 December, 2007. Singapore: Nanyang Techinical University: Singapore: Nanyang Techinical University.

  • Influence of teaching beliefs on web-enhanced learning experiences: Learners and teachers

    Steel, C. H. (2006). Influence of teaching beliefs on web-enhanced learning experiences: Learners and teachers. Who's Learning? Whose Technology? Ascilite 2006, Sydney, 3-6 December, 2006. Sydney: Sydney University Press.

  • Designing a case on plant physiology for the real world

    Johnston, Margaret and Steel, Caroline (2005). Designing a case on plant physiology for the real world. International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.694.60

  • Designing a case on plant physiology for the real world

    Johnston, M. E. and Steel, C. H. (2005). Designing a case on plant physiology for the real world. Int. Symposium on Harnessing the Potential of Horticulture in the Asian-Pacific, Coolum, Australia, 1-3 September, 2004. Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science.

  • Game for change? Balancing an enterprise-level LMS implementation

    Steel, C. (2005). Game for change? Balancing an enterprise-level LMS implementation. ascilite 2005: Balance, Fidelity, Mobility: maintaining the momentum?, Brisbane, 4-7 December, 2005. Brisbane, Australia: Dept of Teaching and Learning Support Services, QLD Univ. of Technology.

  • Establishing a zone where technology innovation is supported

    Steel, C. H. (2004). Establishing a zone where technology innovation is supported. Beyond the comfort zone: ASCILITE 2004, Perth, Western Australia, 5 - 8 December 2004. Perth, Australia: ASCILITE (Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education).

  • Investigating Concept Mapping and Stimulated Recall to Reveal Academic Teacher Beliefs and how they are enacted through learning designs for the Web

    Steel, C. H. (2003). Investigating Concept Mapping and Stimulated Recall to Reveal Academic Teacher Beliefs and how they are enacted through learning designs for the Web. ED-MEDIA 2003 - World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 23-28 Jun 2003. Chesapeake, VA, USA: Association for Advancement of Computing in Education.

Edited Outputs

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This staff member is a UQ Expert for media in the following fields:

eLearning, Internet learning, Learning - Internet/electronic, Wikis, New generation learning spaces, Teaching methods, Teaching and technology, Technology - in learning, Education - new learning technologies, Academic staff development, Distance learning, Academics and teaching skills, Affordance theories - education, Learning and web technologies, Web technology and learning, Education - web technology, Blogs, Case-based learning, Innovation in learning, CALL - languages, technology, Podcasting, Learning - and technology

They are happy to lend their expertise to your articles or broadcasts and share their research discoveries and insights with the community via media channels.

For additional assistance with story ideas, general advice and information or help with seeking further experts, please email the UQ Media Team or telephone (07) 3365 1120.

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