Dr Sarah Stein, Our people, Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand

Director (Distance Learning)

Email sarah.stein@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5809

About Sarah

Sarah's background is in education; she has had experience as a school teacher, curriculum advisor and academic staff developer. She has tutored and lectured in science education and technology education within undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education courses. Her current research focus is teaching, learning, curriculum and evaluation in higher education settings.

Sarah is the Director of Distance Learning for the University. Her office is in Room G.02 at 31 Montgomery Avenue.

Supervision

Sarah supervises research in a variety of areas related to teaching, learning and curriculum.

Current students

Paul Kane (PhD)
Mike Tweed (PhD)

Previous PhD and Masters students:

Belinda Lawrence (PhD thesis title: Individual, Institutional and Environmental Factors Influencing Online Distance Tertiary Teaching in New Zealand)
Swee Kin Loke (PhD thesis title: Explaining how students can learn the dispositional components of physical world actions by performing virtual world action)
Sam Asare (PhD thesis title: Exploring undergraduate students' perceptions of factors influencing their engagement and alienation in higher education)
Kwong Nui Sim (PhD thesis title: An investigation into the way PhD students utilise ICT to support their doctoral research process)
Paul Kane (Master of Health Science (Clinical Education): The impact of the VERT virtual reality system on teaching and learning associated with radiation therapy planning skills in the second year of the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy)
Kelby Smith-Han (PhD thesis title: An investigation of undergraduate medical students’ discourses of General Practice)
Jenny McDonald (PhD thesis title: An empirically-based tutorial dialogue system: Design, implementation and evaluation in a health sciences domain)
KwongNui Sim (Master of Arts (Higher Education) thesis title: The Importance of Personal Computers in Higher Education)
Ahmad Sabry Othman (PhD thesis title: Teaching Maths in a Second Language)
Maree Steel (Master Of Health Science thesis title: Portfolios: Multiple Spaces for Learning)
Mitchell Parkes (University of New England, Australia) (PhD thesis title: The Competencies Required for Effective Performance in a University E-Learning Environment)
Carina Bossu (University of New England, Australia) (PhD thesis title: Higher Distance Education in Brazil: Policies, Practices and Staff Development)
Frances Quinn (University of New England, Australia) (PhD thesis title: Learning Approaches and Outcomes in a First Year Biology Topic: A Relational Study involving Distance and On-Campus Students)
Rupert Collister (University of New England, Australia) (PhD Thesis title: A Journey of Wholeness and Meaning: Investigating a Harmonious Ontology which could Facilitate the Conditoins for Holistic, Transformative Epistemologies within the Structures of a Community with a View to Creating and Sustainable Future for all Beings)
Mary Panko (University of New England, Australia) (PhD Thesis title: The Impact of Teaching Beliefs on the Practice of E-Moderators)

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Publications

Kane, P., Gladman, T., Stein, S., & Timmermans, J. A. (2022). Investigating New Zealand radiation therapy student perceptions about their degree curriculum. BMC Medical Education, 22, 892. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03973-9

Sim, K. N., Stein, S., & Rose, M. (2022). Scaffolding personal and professional development opportunities for doctoral students beyond supervision. In E. Heinrich, A. Jolley & L. Rowan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. (pp. 69-70). HERDSA Aotearoa/New Zealand. [Abstract]

Kane, P., Gladman, T., Stein, S., & Timmermans, J. (2022). Exploring the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy curriculum: A student perspective. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) Annual National Conference. Retrieved from https://regenerate2022.com/

Stein, S. J., Goodchild, A., Moskal, A., Terry, S., & McDonald, J. (2021). Student perceptions of student evaluations: Enabling student voice and meaningful engagement. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46(6), 837-851. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2020.1824266

Stein, S. J., & Sim, K. N. (2020). Enhancing the roles of information and communication technologies in doctoral research processes. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17, 34. doi: 10.1186/s41239-020-00212-3

Lai, K.-W., Stein, S., Field, P., & Pratt, K. (Eds.). (2016). Our world in your place: 30 years of distance learning and teaching at the University of Otago. Dunedin, New Zealand: Distance Learning Office, University of Otago, 131p.

Edited Book - Research

Cua, F., Stein, S., & Perez-Pido, A. (2014). Spontaneity: The secret ingredient of learning. In V. C. X. Wang (Ed.), Handbook of research on education and technology in a changing society. (pp. 342-354). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Chapter in Book - Research

Spronken-Smith, R., & Stein, S. (2009). Challenging tertiary teachers' beliefs and practices: Facilitating change and development through portfolios. In J. Zubizarreta (Ed.), The learning portfolio: Reflective practice for improving student learning. (2nd ed.) (pp. 197-210). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Chapter in Book - Research

Stein, S. (2016). Distance learning at the University of Otago from 2000 to the present: The story continues. In K.-W. Lai, S. Stein, P. Field & K. Pratt (Eds.), Our world in your place: 30 years of distance learning and teaching at the University of Otago. (pp. 7-10). Dunedin, New Zealand: Distance Learning Office, University of Otago.

Chapter in Book - Other

Journal - Research Article

McDonald, J., Moskal, A. C. M., Goodchild, A., Stein, S., & Terry, S. (2020). Advancing text-analysis to tap into the student voice: A proof-of-concept study. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 45(1), 154-164. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2019.1614524

Journal - Research Article

Kuiper, A. C., & Stein, S. J. (2019). Engaging, innovating and inspiring: The paradox of the mediated voice of award-winning teachers. Higher Education Research & Development, 38(6), 1197-1212. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2019.1626811

Journal - Research Article

Asare, S., Nicholson, H., & Stein, S. (2017). You can’t ignore us: What role does family play in student engagement and alienation in a Ghanaian university? Journal of Higher Education Policy & Management, 39(6), 593-606. doi: 10.1080/1360080X.2017.1377968

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., & Anderson, B. (2017). Hidden aspects of administration: How scale changes the role of a distance education administrator. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, XX(4). Retrieved from https://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/winter204/stein_anderson204.html

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S., Hart, S., Keaney, P., & White, R. (2017). Student views on the cost of and access to textbooks: An investigation at University of Otago (New Zealand). Open Praxis, 9(4), 403-419.

Journal - Research Article

Tweed, M. J., Stein, S., Wilkinson, T. J., Purdie, G., & Smith, J. (2017). Certainty and safe consequence responses provide additional information from multiple choice question assessments. BMC Medical Education, 17, 106. doi: 10.1186/s12909-017-0942-z

Journal - Research Article

Deaker, L., Stein, S. J., & Spiller, D. (2016). You can’t teach me: Exploring academic resistance to teaching development. International Journal for Academic Development, 21(4), 299-311. doi: 10.1080/1360144X.2015.1129967

Journal - Research Article

Moskal, A. C. M., Stein, S. J., & Golding, C. (2016). Can you increase teacher engagement with evaluation simply by improving the evaluation system? Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 41(2), 286-300. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2015.1007838

Journal - Research Article

Sim, K. N., & Stein, S. (2016). Reaching the unreached: De-mystifying the role of ICT in the process of doctoral research. Research in Learning Technology, 24, 30717. doi: 10.3402/rlt.v24.30717

Journal - Research Article

Parkes, M., Stein, S., & Reading, C. (2015). Student preparedness for university e-learning environments. Internet & Higher Education, 25, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.iheduc.2014.10.002

Journal - Research Article

Malouff, J. M., Stein, S. J., Bothma, L. N., Coulter, K., & Emmerton, A. J. (2014). Preventing halo bias in grading the work of university students. Cogent Psychology, 1(1), 988937. doi: 10.1080/23311908.2014.988937

Journal - Research Article

Gray, B., Stein, S. J., Osborne, P., & Aitken, R. (2013). Collaborative learning in a marketing strategy education context. Practice & Evidence of the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, 8(1), 35-55.

Journal - Research Article

Parkes, M., Reading, C., & Stein, S. (2013). The competencies required for effective performance in a university e-learning environment. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 29(6), 777-791.

Journal - Research Article

Quinn, F., & Stein, S. (2013). Relationships between learning approaches and outcomes of students studying a first-year biology topic on-campus and by distance. Higher Education Research & Development, 32(4), 617-631. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2012.704902

Journal - Research Article

Smith-Han, K., Jaye, C., Fitzgerald, R., & Stein, S. (2013). What do medical students learn about general practice in their undergraduate education? Focus on Health Professional Education, 14(3), 78-90.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., Spiller, D., Terry, S., Harris, T., Deaker, L., & Kennedy, J. (2013). Tertiary teachers and student evaluations: Never the twain shall meet? Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 38(7), 892-904. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2013.767876

Journal - Research Article

Anderson, B., Lee, S. W. F., Simpson, M. G., & Stein, S. J. (2011). Study orchestrations in distance learning: Identifying dissonance and its implications for distance educators. International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, 12(5). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/977

Journal - Research Article

Shephard, K., Harland, T., Stein, S., & Tidswell, T. (2011). Preparing an application for a higher-education teaching-excellence award: Whose foot fits Cinderella's shoe? Journal of Higher Education Policy & Management, 33(1), 47-56. doi: 10.1080/1360080X.2011.537011

Journal - Research Article

Shephard, K., Mansvelt, J., Stein, S., Suddaby, G., Harris, I., & O'Hara, D. (2011). Professional development for e-learning: Researching a strategy for New Zealand's tertiary sector. International Journal on E-Learning, 10(4), 461-481.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., Shephard, K., & Harris, I. (2011). Conceptions of e-learning and professional development for e-learning held by tertiary educators in New Zealand. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(1), 145-165. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.00997.x

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., & Walker, R. (2010). Tertiary teachers learning about teaching: Integrating theoretical and practical knowledge. Practice & Evidence of the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, 5(1), 2-22.

Journal - Research Article

Bossu, C., Smyth, R., & Stein, S. (2007). Academic professional development for effective e-learning: A possible framework for Brazil. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 2(4), 48-53.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., Ginns, I. S., & McDonald, C. V. (2007). Teachers learning about technology and technology education: Insights from a professional development experience. International Journal of Technology & Design Education, 17(2), 179-195.

Journal - Research Article

Bath, D., Smith, C., Stein, S., & Swann, R. (2004). Beyond mapping and embedding graduate attributes: Bringing together quality assurance and action learning to create a validated and living curriculum. Higher Education Research & Development, 23(3), 313-328.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., Isaacs, G., & Andrews, T. (2004). Incorporating authentic learning experiences within a universtiy course. Studies in Higher Education, 29(2), 239-258.

Journal - Research Article

Ginns, I. S., Stein, S. J., & McRobbie, C. J. (2003). Female students′ learning in design and technology projects. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics & Technology Education, 3(3), 305-321.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., Docherty, M., & Hannam, R. (2003). Making the processes of designing explicit within an information technology environment. International Journal of Technology & Design Education, 13(2), 145-170.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., Ginns, I. S., & McRobbie, C. J. (2003). Grappling with teaching design and technology: A beginning teacher's experiences. Research in Science & Technology Education, 21(2), 141-157.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., McRobbie, C. J., & Ginns, I. S. (2002). Implications of missed opportunities for learning and assessment in design and technology education. Teaching & Teacher Education, 18, 35-49.

Journal - Research Article

McRobbie, C. J., Stein, S. J., & Ginns, I. S. (2001). Exploring designerly thinking of students as novice designers. Research in Science Education, 31, 91-116.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., McRobbie, C. J., & Ginns, I. S. (2001). Authentic program planning in technology education. International Journal of Technology & Design Education, 11, 239-261.

Journal - Research Article

Ginns, I., Stein, S., McRobbie, C., & Swales, A. (2000). A case study of a gifted female primary school student grappling with a design and technology project. Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, 9(2), 43-55.

Journal - Research Article

McRobbie, C. J., Ginns, I. S., & Stein, S. J. (2000). Preservice primary teachers' thinking about technology and technology education. International Journal of Technology & Design Education, 10, 81-101.

Journal - Research Article

Stein, S. J., McRobbie, C. J., & Ginns, I. (2000). Recognising uniqueness in the technology key learning area: The search for meaning. International Journal of Technology & Design Education, 10, 105-123.

Journal - Research Article

Parkes, M., Fletcher, P., & Stein, S. (2015). Applying an action research model to learning (re)design. Proceedings of EdMedia: World Conference on Education Media and Technology. (pp. 245-254). Waynesville, NC: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/j/EDMEDIA/v/2015/n/1/