I was born and bred in the Otago/Southland region, and attended the University of Otago, where I gained my PhD in Psychology. I have been working for the College of Education since then. I teach mainly in the distance programme, working with postgraduate students. My papers usually focus on an aspect of the use of information and communication technology in education, although I also teach quantitative research methods, and in a range of other areas. My recent research projects have focused on the experience of distance students: both our own College of Education distance postgraduate students and also secondary school students who are involved in distance learning using videoconferencing and other technologies.
Teaching Area
ICT in education
Distance learning
Quantitative research methods
Research Interests
ICT in education
Distance learning/virtual schools
Publications
Archambault, L., Pratt, K., & Barbour, M. (2014). Preparing for and thriving in K-12 online/blended teaching contexts. In M. Searson & M. N. Ochoa (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) 25th International Conference. (pp. 1512-1514). Waynesville, NC: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Pratt, K. (2014). Supporting virtual schooling: A framework for reflection. In M. Searson & M. N. Ochoa (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) 25th International Conference. (pp. 1547-1549). Waynesville, NC: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Pratt, K., & Pullar, K. (2013). OtagoNet: One region's model for virtual schooling. Journal of Open, Flexible & Distance Learning, 17(1), 1-11.
Journal - Research Article
Pratt, K. (2013). An exploration of learner and support characteristics of students involved in virtual schooling. In R. McBride & M. Searson (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) 24th International Conference. (pp. 4147-4149). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Pratt, K. (2013). Exploring the usefulness of frameworks for virtual schooling: A New Zealand example. In R. McBride & M. Searson (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) 24th International Conference. (pp. 4150-4152). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Pratt, K., & Trewern, A. (2011). Students' experiences of flexible learning options: What can they tell us about what they need for success? Computers in New Zealand Schools, 23(2), 1-16. Retrieved from http://education2x.otago.ac.nz/cinzs/mod/resource/view.php?id=219
Journal - Research Article
Pratt, K., & Trewern, A. (2011). New Zealand students' perceptions of blended learning. In M. Koehler & P. Mishra (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) 22nd International Conference. (pp. 663-668). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Pratt, K., Pullar, K., & Trewern, A. (2011). School is out: Students' experiences of non-traditional learning. Wellington, New Zealand: Teaching & Learning Research Initiative. 6p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Pratt, K., Lai, K.-W., Trewern, A., Concannon, F., & Sutton, H. (2010). Laptops for teachers: An evaluation of the TELA scheme in Otago schools. Commissioned by Ministry of Education. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Education. 88p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Lai, K.-W., & Pratt, K. (2009). Technological constraints and implementation barriers of using videoconferencing for virtual teaching in New Zealand secondary schools. Journal of Technology & Teacher Education, 17(4), 505-522.
Journal - Research Article
Pratt, K. (2009). Tertiary students' changing access to technology: Some New Zealand observations. In G. Siemens & C. Fulford (Eds.), Proceedings of the World Conference on Educational Media, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (ED-MEDIA). [CD-ROM], (pp. 435-440). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/31536
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Lai, K.-W., & Pratt, K. (2007). Positive to a degree: The effects of ICT use in New Zealand secondary schools. Computers in the Schools, 24(3/4), 95-109.
Journal - Research Article
Pratt, K., & Lai, K.-W. (2007). ″It's not right for me to see horrible stuff″: New Zealand children's internet experiences. In C. Montgomerie & J. Seale (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications. (pp. 4126-4133). Chesapeake, Virginia, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Lai, K. W., Pratt, K., Anderson, M., & Stigter, J. (2006). Literature review and synthesis: Online communities of practice. Commissioned by Ministry of Education. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. 120p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Lai, K.-W., & Pratt, K. (2005). OtagoNet: A videoconferencing network for New Zealand secondary students. Proceedings of the 8th IFIP World Conference on Computers in Education. [CD-ROM] Cape Town, South Africa: University of Stellenbosch & Document Transformation Technologies. Retrieved from www.sbs.co.za/wcce2005
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Lai, K.-W., & Pratt, K. (2004). Information and communication technology (ICT) in secondary schools: The role of the computer coordinator. British Journal of Educational Technology, 35(4), 461-475.
Journal - Research Article
Lai, K.-W., & Pratt, K. (2004). Online learners: Who are they? Proceedings of the World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA). (1), (pp. 5142-5147). Norfolk, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Retrieved from http://dl.aace.org/16221
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Lai, K. W., & Pratt, K. (2004). e-Learning initiative: Evaluation of the OtagoNet project. Commissioned by Community Trust of Otago. University of Otago, Dunedin: Faculty of Education. 84p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Lai, K. W., Trewern, A., & Pratt, K. (2002). Computer coordinators as change agents: Some New Zealand observations. Journal of Technology & Teacher Education, 10(4), 539-551.
Journal - Research Article
Senior Lecturer