Russell Butson Staff, Our people, Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand

DipTchg, BA, PGDipArts, MA, PhD

Email russell.butson@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5789

Learning Sciences Research Cluster

About Russell

Butson-photo

Russell is a senior lecturer in higher education/educational technology. His research is focused on the learning that takes place within the university setting. He is currently leading a research program that incorporates innovative topics and methods to explore, understand and change our conceptions and approaches to academic learning. He is a pioneer in the use of digital devices and sensors to capture naturally occurring behavioural data (Reality Mining). His current research is focused on the role of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in the academic development of faculty and students.

Teaching

Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education
Master of Higher Education (MHEd)

Research interests

Behaviour of Learning in Higher Education
Reality Mining – New Methods in Higher Education
Educational Technology

Supervision

Russell is available to supervise postgraduates in higher education who wish to undertake research into any aspect of academic life/learning within professional and university settings, particularly where there is a focus on the use of digital technologies.

Please feel free to contact Russell directly to discuss your ideas.
Email russell.butson@otago.ac.nz

Current students

Senorita John (PhD) Mining Reality: Detecting behavioural patterns in student spatio-temporal data
Miriam Gibson (PhD) Making Meaning – The role of activity in learning
Farah Shawkat (PhD) Teacherpreneurship and the digital learning landscape in higher education
Larian Nkomo (PhD) Data mining students' engagement patterns in technology enhanced learning environments
Glory Ndukwe (PhD) Technology-enhanced education
Lev Lafayette (MHEd)
Kait O'Callahan (MHEd)
Taylor Wilson (MHEd)

Past students

Belinda Lawrence (PhD) Aligning teaching goals with learning outcomes in an Online and Distance Learning system
Hamid Mahroeian (PhD) Big Data and Analytics in Higher Education
Senorita John (MHEd) An investigation into the study practices of health science students
Kwong Nui Sim (PhD) Postgraduate Use of Computer Technology
Suzie Bartlett (MHEd) Use of Actor-based Simulations in Heath Education
Dallas Knight (PhD) Digital Channels in healthcare service delivery
Kwong Nui Sim (MA) The importance of personal computers in Higher Education
Belinda Lawrence (PGDipHighE) Web Based Technology Use in Online and Distance Learning
Khalaf Alsalm (MSc) Factors and Characteristics of Successful Research Collaboration and E-collaboration Tools

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Publications

Nkomo, L. M., Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. J. (2021). Synthesis of student engagement with digital technologies: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18, 34. doi: 10.1186/s41239-021-00270-1

Wright, D., & Butson, R. (2020). Revolutionising the undergraduate surgical attachment: Using technology to enhance legitimate peripheral participation. In M. Anakin & Q. Liu (Eds.), Proceedings of the Otago Medical School Health Professions Education Research Group Symposium [Online]. (pp. 11). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Medical School, Dunedin Campus, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/10591

Jeremiah, F., Suazo, A. E., & Butson, R. (2020). Contemplating the value of liminality for entrepreneurs. Tamara Journal for Critical Organization Inquiry, 18(1), 1-11. doi: 10.7206/tamara.1532-5555.5

Butson, R., John, S., & Suazo, A. (2020). The behaviour of learning: Exploring independent study practices of undergraduate heath science students. Medical Science Educator, 30, 917-925. doi: 10.1007/s40670-020-00974-5

Collins, J., Regenbrecht, H., Langlotz, T., Can, Y. S., Ersoy, C., & Butson, R. (2019). Measuring cognitive load and insight: A methodology exemplified in a virtual reality learning context. Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR). Piscataway, NJ: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ISMAR.2019.00033

Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. J. (2017). The rise of big data and analytics in higher education. In E. Rodriguez (Ed.), The analytics process: Strategic and tactical steps. (pp. 113-126). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315161501-6

Chapter in Book - Research

Perumal, V., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2017). Learning analytics of clinical anatomy e-cases. In B. K. Daniel (Ed.), Big data and learning analytics in higher education: Current theory and practice. (pp. 253-263). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

Chapter in Book - Research

Butson, R., Cook, J. M., & Kardos, R. (2009). The oral health e-portfolio: A three-year project. In J. Zubizarreta (Ed.), The learning portfolio: Reflective practice for improving student learning. (2nd ed.) (pp. 97-108). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Ndukwe, I. G., Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. J. (2018). Data science approach for simulating educational data: Towards the development of teaching outcome model (TOM). Big Data & Cognitive Computing, 2(3), 24. doi: 10.3390/bdcc2030024

Journal - Research Article

Mahroeian, H., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2017). The perceptions of the meaning and value of analytics in New Zealand higher education institutions. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 14(35). doi: 10.1186/s41239-017-0073-y

Journal - Research Article

Perumal, V., Butson, R., Blyth, P., & Daniel, B. (2017). Clinical anatomy e-cases: A five-year follow-up of learning analytics. New Zealand Medical Journal, 130(1449), 22-29. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Sim, K. N., & Butson, R. (2017). Visualising the doctoral research process: An exploration into empirical research processes of emerging researchers. International Journal of Learning, Teaching & Educational Research, 16(9), 42-59. doi: 10.26803/ijlter.16.9.4

Journal - Research Article

Bartlett, S., & Butson, R. (2015). Trained actors help students learn mental health nursing skills. Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand, 21(8), 17-19.

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Thomson, C. (2014). Challenges of effective collaboration in a virtual learning environment among undergraduate students. Creative Education, 5(16), 1449-1459. doi: 10.4236/ce.2014.516162

Journal - Research Article

Sim, K. N., & Butson, R. (2014). To what degree are undergraduate students using their personal computers to support their daily study practices? IAFOR Journal of Education, 2(1), 158-171.

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Sim, K. N. (2013). The role of personal computers in undergraduate education. International Journal of Digital Literacy and Digital Competence, 4(3), 1-9. doi: 10.4018/ijdldc.2013070101

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., Hendrick, P., Kidd, M., & Brannstrom, M. (2012). Developing a virtual interdisciplinary research community in clinical education: Enticing people to the "tea-room". Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice & Education, 2(3), 320-338.

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2011). Does higher education need deschooling? Industry & Higher Education, 25(3), 153-160. doi: 10.5367/ihe.2011.0042

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Thomson, C. (2011). Reflections on the use of autovideography in an undergraduate education context. Journal of Research Practice, 7(2), Article D1. Retrieved from http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/243/236

Journal - Research Article

Kardos, R. L., Cook, J. M., Butson, R. J., & Kardos, T. B. (2009). The development of an ePortfolio for life-long reflective learning and auditable professional certification. European Journal of Dental Education, 13(3), 135-141. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2008.00551.x

Journal - Research Article

Miyahara, M., Butson, R., Cutfield, R., & Clarkson, J. E. (2009). A pilot study of family-focused tele-intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder: Development and lessons learned. Telemedicine Journal and e-Health, 15(7), 707-712. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2009.0022

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2005). The role of faculty in the digital education of tomorrow. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 17(1), 3-16.

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2003). Learning objects: Weapons of mass instruction. British Journal of Educational Technology, 34(5), 667-669.

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2003). Teaching as a practice of social injustice: Perspectives from a teacher. Radical Pedagogy, 5(1). Retrieved from http://radicalpedagogy.icaap.org/content/issue5_1/10_butson.html

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2003). That 'teaching' is a prodigious illusion: In the words and form of Soren Kierkegaard. Essays in Education, 6(Summer). Retrieved from http://www.usca.edu/essays/vol62003/butson.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2003). Transcending the flatland. Teaching in Higher Education, 8(3), 447-451.

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2002). The experience of practitioners with technology-enhanced teaching and learning: A response. Educational Technology & Society, 5(3). Retrieved from http://ifets.ieee.org/periodical/vol_3_2002/butson.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

John, S., Butson, R., & Spronken-Smith, R. (2018). Mining digital reality: Exploring the virtual activities of undergraduate students. In M. Campbell, J. Willems, C. Adachi, D. Blake, I. Doherty, S. Krishnan, … J. Tai (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) International Conference: Open Oceans: Learning without Borders. (pp. 418-422). Retrieved from http://ascilite.org

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Butson, R. (2017). Measuring stress in doctoral research: A case for reality mining across psychological, physiological and environmental dimensions. Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE). (pp. 45-49). Retrieved from http://icce2017.canterbury.ac.nz

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Mahroeian, H., Daniel, B., Butson, R., & Kumar, V. (2017). The impact of analytics within the institutions of higher education in New Zealand. Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE). (pp. 17-19). Retrieved from http://icce2017.canterbury.ac.nz

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Sim, K., Butson, R., Stein, S., & van der Meer, J. (2014). Seeing between the lines: How do PhD students use computer technologies in their research practices? In B. Hegarty, J. McDonald & S.-K. Loke (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite) Conference: Rhetoric and Reality: Critical Perspectives on Educational Technology. (pp. 233-241). Retrieved from http://ascilite2014.otago.ac.nz/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. (2013). Technology enhanced analytics (TEA) in higher education. In P. Kommers, T. Issa, N. M. Sharef & P. Isaías (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Educational Technologies (ICEduTech). (pp. 89-96). Lisbon, Portugal: IADIS Press. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Sim, K., & Butson, R. (2013). Do undergraduates use their personal computers to support learning? Procedia Social & Behavioral Sciences, 103, (pp. 330-339). doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.341

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Sim, K., & Butson, R. (2013). The role/importance of personal computers to support learning in higher education. Proceedings of the Inaugural European Technology in the Classroom Conference. Nagoya, Japan: International Academic Forum. Retrieved from http://iafor.org/Proceedings/ECTC/ECTC2013_proceedings.pdf

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Kardos, R., Chrzan, J., & Butson, R. (2007). Professional ePortfolio Project: Bridging the divide between student and practicing professional. Proceedings of the Health Informatics New Zealand 6th Annual Forum & Exhibition. Auckland, New Zealand: HINZ. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Butson, R., Carr, S., & Bosselman, G. (2006). Engagement as a more helpful measure of student learning. In J. M. Jennings & T. Angelo (Eds.), Proceedings of the Student Engagement Symposium. (pp. 26-28). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper