Leadership

tony

Tony is a recognized global leader in leveraging the latest innovative mobile technologies to support teaching and learning and in integrating research from mobile technologies into working systems, models and practices.  Working with the Athabasca University mobile learning team and researchers, he took the leadership role to:

  • analyze issues and trends in mobile learning development
  • examine the needs of students and educators for accessing learning resources using mobile devices
  • identify the best mobile learning technologies, practices and models.
  • identify the criteria and assessment tools used to determine the best mobile learning technologies, practices and models
  • determine which library services and resources need to be developed to contribute to an effective mobile library
  • explore the possibilities, benefits and challenges for mobile learning
  • develop a strategic plan or framework to sustain mobile learning development in AU and Canada

Since 2006, Tony has taken the leadership role in a number of mobile learning projects. His participation in these projects has provided him with practical experience in mobile learning development and project management.  He has been involved in all aspects of these projects from initial design, through developing prototypes and working systems, co-ordinating pilot testing, disseminating project findings, and acting as project leader. These projects have been highly successful, resulting in numerous publications, awards, and publicity for AU’s Library Services and the institution. These projects include:

Mobile Library (2006) – Pioneered the development of M-library and evaluated its use to support m-learning and teaching. The mobile library project provides learners with access to the AU library and to course resources using mobile device. The project received the 2006 Canadian Library Association Library Research and Development Grant Award.

Magazine

URL:http://library.athabascau.ca

News Coverage Canadian Business article about AU Mobile Library

Publications and Presentations:

Mobile English as Second Language (2007)- With text-based, interactive content, designed for basic mobile devices. This first part of the project involved the conversion of eighty-six, text-based grammar lessons into interactive learning modules. It was designed especially for new Canadians needing ESL training to enter the workforce, adult learners needing skills updated and all others who might want free and easy access to grammar lessons. The project received the 2008 CNIE Excellence and Innovation in Use of Learning Technology Award.

URL:http://www.eslau.ca/
 

Edmonton Journal

News Coverage: Edmonton Journal article about AU Mobile ESL Project

News Coverage: CBC news story about AU Mobile ESL Project

Publications and Presentations:

Mobile Workplace English (2008)- Mobile ESL with content fine-tuned for use in the workplace plus multimedia content (audio and video lessons) works with basic mobile devices and smart phones. Using feedback from the first phase of the project, AU designed a site with workplace specific situations and vocabulary. Comprehension through video and audio exercises based on situations that could be encountered daily were added to increase the usability of the content.

URL:http://www.wpeau.ca/

News Coverage: Lac La Biche Post article about Mobile Workplace English

Newspaper

YouTube Video: Mobile Workplace English

Publications and Presentations:

Mobile Accent Reduction (2009)- Workplace English content developed into lessons to help with spoken English and improving pronunciation plus further multimedia content (Canadian Phonetic Alphabet with animations, interactive games, video clips).  Learning to speak a language in an M-learning environment provides flexibility but it is challenging to develop. The third phase of this project offers a range of speaking and listening activities to assist learners in improving their English pronunciation.

URL: http://www.wpeau.ca/

Mobile French as Second Language (2010)- French Language Content developed for beginners. Grammar and audio exercises. This five-lesson module was the first designed especially for the iPhone. Listening and sentence structure exercises were designed to improve comprehension in beginners.

URL: http://fslau.ca/

Publications and Presentations:

Mobile ICTESL (2013)- English Learning for Information and Computer Technology. Mobile lesson contains helpful grammar, vocabulary and readings to assist computer industry worker with learning ESL in an Information and Communications Technology environment. This innovative project is funded and supported by UNESCO.

URL: http://ictesl.athabascau.ca/

E-Book Research (2011) – Connecting older adults to the internet world using E-book reader.

Publications and Presentations:

Mobile Health and Wellness (2011) – Design and develop an IOS app to promote health and wellness in the work place. (Reminding and teaching of simple exercises that can be completed at the workplace with a mobile device).

Publications and Presentations:

  • Ellerman, E., Tin, T., & Collins, N. (2011). Using a mobile Wellness App to deliver health and wellness education in the Workplace. Mission Critical Research. Athabasca, Athabasca University.
  • Ellerman, E., Tin, T., & Woodburn, T. (2012). AU mobile Wellness App. M-Libraries Conference, Milton Keynes, UK.

Canadian Film App (2011) -Created an iPad app to promote app-based learning of Canadian film. The app includes information, interview videos of Canadian film producers, links to Canadian film journals, course materials, and Internet resources.

Publications and Presentations:

  • Ellerman, E., & Tin, T. (2011). Athabasca University Canadian film iPad app. AVPR Special Research Opportunities Fund. Athabasca, Athabasca University.

Quick Response (QR) code Project (2012) –Designed and developed a QR code system to deliver digital contents such as video to mobile users with QR code readers.  Partnership with the Town of Athabasca to deploy the use of QR code technologies for local tourism.

Mobile Qi Gong Project (2013) – In partnership with Canadian Chinese Health Qi Gong Organization, designed and developed a mobile wellness app to remind and teach simple Qi Gong exercises that can be practiced anytime, anywhere using mobile device.

Apple App store download:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobileqigong/id858352805?ls=1&mt=8

URL: https://uwaterloo.ca/qigong-wellness/

Publications and Presentations:

NFC Smartbook Project (2014) – Designed and developed a library smartcard with QR code and built-in NFC chip to provide mobile access to the text, Dance: Five steps to living your best life.

Publications and Presentations:

Mobile Information Literacy Project (2015) – Collaborative project between Renison University College faculty and Library to develop a tool and strategies for enhancing student information literacy skills to support anytime, anywhere information literacy training through mobile technology.

URL: http://renmil.ca/

Publications and Presentations:

The 19th Biennial Conference of the Canadian History of Education Association. University of Waterloo (2016)

New Release: Biennial Conference of the Canadian History of Education

RSpace Institutional Repository Project (2016) – RSpace is an open access institutional repository provided by the Lusi Wong Library for scholarly research produced by members of the Renison University College community. It enables members of the Renison University College community to post, organize and preserve their research and publication online.

URL:http://rspace.uwaterloo.ca

Publications and Presentations:

Foundations for Academic Success: Innovative Mobile Learning to Enhance Academic Integrity (2018) – The project objectives are to develop strategies for enhancing student academic integrity (AI) knowledge and understanding by employing open access mobile technology with an innovative pedagogical approach. It will explore the best strategies, from a student user perspective, for accessing, delivering, assessing, and learning this information with mobile technology (m-learning). The project is funded by the eCampus Ontario Innovation and Research Grants. The app has been adopted by Senica College and other educational institutions.

Apple App store download:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/integritymatters/id1355112345?mt=8

Google Play Store download:                                                        

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uwai.dev.uwai&hl=en

Awards

Publications and Presentations:

eBadges for Integrity Matters: Academic Integrity Research Study (2018) – Want to show the world how knowledgeable you are about academic integrity? Want to prove that you can explore and assess scenarios ethically? You can earn a digital badge when you successfully complete the six modules in the open access digital IntegrityMatters App.

Publications and Presentations: