3 leading researchers have been appointed to oversee the Global Victoria EdTech Innovation Alliance. These researchers will see Victorian EdTech solutions trialled and tested in Victorian and international education institutions. 

Three researchers have now been appointed to the Global Victoria EdTech Innovation Alliance, two of which will be a part of the Program Governance Group.

We welcome Margaret Bearman, Research Professor within the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University; Michael Henderson, Professor of Digital Futures in the Faculty of Education at Monash University; and Phillip Dawson, Associate Director of the Centre For Research In Assessment And Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University. 

The role of the researchers
The Program Governance Group
Researchers biographies

The Role of the Researchers

This project is focused on EdTech efficacy research; therefore, having experienced researchers who understand how to accurately measure the outcomes will be critical to the success of the Sprints. 

They will support the Innovation Sprint teams, providing guidance and mentoring as to how individual teams can measure the impact of their programs. Researchers will work with the Innovation Sprint teams to collaboratively build a rich picture of the Global EdTech Innovation Alliance.

I can’t wait to see the results of the better connections between educators, researchers and industry that the EdTech Innovation Alliance will develop. I’m especially excited by the prospect of research evidence demonstrating the impacts of Australian educational technology innovations. We have a great EdTech scene in Australia dispersed across industry, research and educational institutions, and the EdTech Innovation Alliance will help connect the dots.

Prof Phillip Dawson, Deakin University

Program Governance Group

Professors Margaret Bearman and Michael Henderson have now joined the Program Governance Group. Guiding and providing strategic direction for the Global Victoria EdTech Innovation Alliance, the Group is responsible for overseeing the progress and success of the projects. 

I am excited at the prospect of helping EdTech innovations find new and critical ways to identify, collect and report on their efficacy. This is a lovely example of how business and educational research can become partners to inspire greater trustworthiness of EdTech products and services.

Prof Michael Henderson, Monash University

The group provides expert advice, ensures the program is on track and focused on specific outcomes, follows and evaluates program progress, and offers constructive feedback to participants. 

Each member of this Program Governance Group possesses their own unique insights of the education technology sector.

I’m really excited by the opportunity to work on a program that focuses on a partnership between technology developers and educators — it’s a unique opportunity to understand how integrate EdTech into diverse education contexts.

Prof Margaret Bearman, Deakin University

Researcher biographies

Margaret Bearman is a Research Professor within the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE), Deakin University. She holds a first class honours degree in computer science and a PhD in medical education. Over the course of her career researching higher and clinical education, Margaret has written over 100 publications and regularly publishes in the highest ranked journals in her fields.  Recognition for her work includes Program Innovation awards from the Australian Office of Learning and Teaching and Simulation Australasia. Margaret’s interests include: assessment/feedback, digital education, and sociomateriality.

Michael Henderson is Professor of Digital Futures in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. He is a world expert in the field of digital education, in particular the effective use of technology in internet enabled teaching and learning. In 2020 Michael was identified by The Australian as the national Field Leader in Education research. Unique to his profile is that his research spans early childhood, schools, universities and professional learning contexts. Attracting over $3 million in research funding from the Australian Research Council and other philanthropic organisations and industry, his current research projects are generally aligned with three broad fields: assessment and feedback, risk (wellbeing and creativity), and effective teaching and learning with online technologies.

Phillip Dawson leads research into academic integrity at the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE), at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. He holds degrees in education, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Phill leads CRADLE’s research agenda on academic integrity, with a focus on experimental studies and new technologies. Phill has published some of the first experimental studies on contract cheating detection and computer-based exam hacking. He is currently engaged in research on different approaches to detect and deter contract cheating, including assessment designs and technologies. He also has a keen interest in how academics make decisions in assessment design. He uses his background in assessment and cybersecurity to protect education from cheating. His work involves unorthodox methods like computer hacking and paying professional cheaters.

The Global Victoria EdTech Innovation Alliance program is funded by the Victorian Government as part of the $3.6 million International Research Partnerships program under the International Education Short-Term Sector Recovery Plan.

For more information about the initiative visit Global Victoria EdTech Innovation Alliance.