Dr Denise Wood

Denise is a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Media Arts program at the University of South Australia. She is also the Teaching and Portfolio Leader of the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages, a member of the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences Teaching and Learning Committee as well as Co-Chair of the Division's Equity Committee.

She has extensive experience in the multimedia industry as both a producer and educator. Denise was a founding member of the Information Policy Advisory Council established by the Communications Minister in 1996 and the Director of an organisation specialising in multimedia production and training for young people with disabilities, from 1994 to 1997.

Denise has undertaken several research projects addressing the impact of technology in education and has published the findings from this research in various peer reviewed journal papers and book chapters. Universal design is a focus of much of Denise's research and she has a particular interest in accessibility solutions for emerging Web 2.0 and 3D virtual world environments. She is a principal investigator in two nationally funded research projects and a co-researcher in several other research projects relating to the use of technology and 3D virtual worlds for online learning and teaching.

Significant awards include: South Australian Information Technology Achiever of the Year (innovative solutions for people with disabilities) presented by the Premier of South Australia, Comtech'94 and an SA Great Award for services to a special field (disability) presented by the Governor of South Australia, Proclamation Day 1994.

Wordpress Blog

Twitter home page

LinkedIn profile

Facebook profile

Association of Virtual Worlds (Advisory Board Member)

ALTC funded 3D virtual learning platform project website

ALTC funded peer review project site

• My teaching focuses on Web design and interactive media with a particular interest in accessibility and usability. I employ a range of methodologies to enhance student engagement including practice based and service learning, reflective practice through collaborative peer review and assessment and research activities to encourage problem solving and deep learning. Some of the techniques I have been trialling to support these approaches include Web 2.0 technologies such as 3D virtual simulations, blogs, podcasting, audience response systems (in lectures) and interactive simulations.
  
  
• UniSA Awards
  
  • 2009 UniSA Chancellor's Award for Community Engagement (as a member for the Northern Summit Communications Team)
  • 2008 UniSA Quality Teaching Award
  • 2007 UniSA Quality Teaching Award
  • 2006 UniSA Award for Teaching Excellence
  • 2006 UniSA Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
  • 2006 UniSA Award for Equity (Online Accessibility)
  • 2005 Program Director Excellence Award (UniSA — Div EASS)
  • 2004 Chancellor's Award for Community Service (UniSA)
  • 2004 UniSA Equity Award (Special Commendation)
  
  
  
• Committees
  
  • Member of Division of EASS Teaching and Learning Committee
  • Co-Chair of Division of EASS Equity Committee
  • Teaching and Learning Portfolio Leader, School of Communication
  • Member of the University Teaching Technology Advisory Group
  • UniSA representative on the Department of Premier and Cabinet Thinkers in Residence Committee
  • Member of the South Australian Simulation Advisory Group
  • Member of the Information Policy Advisory Council, 1996-1997
  
  
  
• Research
  
  • Project leader in an Australian Learning and Teaching and Research Council funded project (ALTC) to design and develop an accessible 3D virtual learning environment and to develop guidelines relating to pedagogy, ethics, intellectual property and legal considerations in the use of 3D virtual learning environments for teaching and learning
  • Co-researcher in a UniSA Teaching and Learning funded project investigating Web 2.0 technologies and 3D virtual worlds to support experiential learning
  • Principal investigator in Carrick funded project to develop a peer review instrument for online learning and teaching
  • Co-researcher with Martin Freney in Carrick funded project to develop an electronic Computer Assisted Feedback and Assessment System (CAFAS)
  • Principal investigator in a UniSA Teaching and Learning funded project focusing on strategies for strengthening the teaching and research nexus in higher education
  • Principal investigator for UniSA Teaching and Learning grant examining the pedagogical benefits and use of Web 2.0 and 3D worlds for embedding career planning skills into the curriculum
  • Principal investigator in a DRPF funded project aimed at identifying strategies for increasing the social participation of children with disabilities through the use of Web 2.0 technologies
  • Principal investigator with Russell Fewstwer, Drew Dawson and Nick Mollison in a DRPF funded project exploring the use of intermediality (mediated live and virtual performance) to increase young people's understanding of issues relating to road crash and to develop strategies for road crash prevention through road safety education
  • Principal investigator for UniSA Teaching and Learning grant to design and develop a Web authoring environment that will enable students to publish digital creative works via the Web
  • Co-researcher of project investigating strategies for improving retention and success of Indigenous students. Project funded by UniSA Teaching and Learning Grant
  • Co-researcher with Wendy Schiller - UniSA Teaching and Learning grant In the Beginning – Arts Curriculum Construction
  • Co-researcher with Ingrid Day and Jane Hiscock UniSA Teaching and Learning grant to develop an electronic register of host organisations for student placements, practicums and internships
  • Co-researcher with Stephen Loo and Ian Hutchison - UniSA Teaching and Learning grant to establish an integrated curriculum between disparate disciplinary areas in digital media and design, which collaborates closely with film industry partners
  • Co-researcher with Roger Windle and Sheila Scutter in a funded research study investigating the effectiveness of WebCam technology for the provision of practical teaching to sonographers in rural areas of Australia
  • Recipient of a Channel 10 Children's Medical Research Foundation Grant to investigate the optimal selection of communication devices for physically disabled primary school children, 1980
  • Recipient of Apple Computer Education Foundation Grant to investigate the effects of feedback and reinforcement in computer programs on children's learning, 1985-1988

Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)

Australasian Interactive Media Association (AIMIA)

Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA)

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE)

Cultural Studies Association of Australia (CSAA)

Digital Storytellers Association

The Internet Society

International WebMasters Association and HTML Writer’s Guild

Association of Virtual Worlds

Professional member of IEEE

Doctor of Philosophy (Education), Flinders University, 1992.

Master of Educational Technology, University of Southern Queensland, 2005.

Master of Design (Graphical Communication), RMIT, 2007.

Postgraduate Certificate in Flexible Learning, University of Southern Queensland 2004.

Graduate Diploma in Instructional Uses of Computers, South Australian College of Advanced Education, 1987.

Graduate Diploma in Social Sciences, Flinders University, 1983.

Bachelor of Arts (Social Work), South Australian Institute of Technology, 1981.

Certificate in Assistive Information Technology, EASI / University of Southern Maine, 2002.

• Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, Wikis and 3D virtual worlds to support experiential learning - ALTC funded project.
• Peer review of online teaching and learning - Carrick funded project.
• Computer Assisted Feedback and Assessment - Carrick funded project.
• Strengthening the teaching/research nexus in the undergraduate curriculum through collaborative peer review and assessment
• Evaluation of learning outcomes from the online delivery of teaching and learning materials.
• Investigating the features of a flexible learning environment that students with disabilities perceive to be effective in enhancing their learning experience.
• Investigation of the use of WebCam technology to support rural and remote students in ultrasonography.
• Interface design and its effects on motivation and learning.
• The social implications of online access for people with disabilities.
• Development of guidelines for providing effective means of Web access for students with disabilities.
• The impact that the provision of online services to students in remote and rural locations has on teaching and employment outcomes.

Wood, D. and Friedel, M. (2009). Peer review and quality of improvement of courses through the use of an accessible and adaptable web-enabled instrument. Australian Journal of Educational Technology, for publication February 2009.

Wood, Denise (forthcoming). The benefits and unanticipated challenges in the use of 3D virtual learning environments in the undergraduate media arts curriculum. In G. Vincenti and J. Bramam (eds.) Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments: Applying Dynamic Elements to the Modern Classroom, IGI Global, Hershey PA.

Wood, D (forthcoming 2009). Engaging the "Net Generation" in Research Focused Activities Through the Use of Web 2.0 and 3D Virtual Learning Environments. Paper to be submitted to the International Journal of Humanities, The University Press Journals, New York.

Bloustien, G., Hickey-Moody, A. and Wood, D. (forthcoming 2009). Autoethnography and the ethics of affect in virtual worlds. Paper to be submitted for peer review in special issue of MedieKultur, Journal of Communication and Media Online Worlds as Media and Communication Format.

Fewster, R., Chafer and Wood, D. (forthcoming). Staging Second Life in real and virtual spaces. In G. Vincenti and J. Bramam (eds.) Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments: Applying Dynamic Elements to the Modern Classroom, IGI Global, Hershey PA.

Bloustien, G. and Wood, D. (forthcoming 2009).Screen Culture in transition: Screening the self as other in 3D immersive environments. Paper to be submitted for 50th Anniversary Screen Studies Conference: Screen Theorizing Today.

Hickey-Moody, A. and Wood, D. (in press 2009). Ethics in Second Life: Difference, desire and the production of subjectivity. In C.Wankel.and S. Malleck (eds.) Emerging Ethical Issues of Life in Virtual Worlds, New York.

Bloustien, G. and Wood, D. (forthcoming 2009). 'Can I borrow your face for a minute?': Issues of aesthetics and bodily transformations in Second Life. Paper to be submitted for peer review to CFP - Cosmetic Cultures: Beauty, Globalisation, Politics, Practices Conference, University of Leeds, 24 - 26 of June 2009

Scutter, S. and Wood, D. (2009). Enhancing the student learning experience through quality improvement of courses. Paper to be submitted to HERDSA 2009 International Teaching and Learning conference, Darwin.

Wood, D. (2008). Real Life Access to Second Life Worlds: The Potential, the Problems and the Possibilities for a Barrier-Free Future.International Journal of Diversity, The University Press Journals, New York.

Hanna, A. and Wood (forthcoming 2009). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of contributors to open textbooks, for submission to Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on the Book, 25-27 October 2008.

Wood, D. (2008). "Virtually" Inclusive Web 2.0 and 3D Online Communities. Paper presented at the Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association Conference, September 23rd 2008.

Wood, D. (2008). Challenges to Strengthening the Teaching and Research Nexus in the First-Year Undergraduate Curriculum. International Journal of Learning, The University Press Journals, New York.

Wood, D. and Friedel, M. (2008). Peer review of online learning and teaching: new technologies—new challenges, Proceedings of ASCILITE 2008: Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology? Deakin University, Melbourne. *Outstanding paper award.

Wood, D. and Hopkins, L. (2008). 3D virtual environments: businesses are ready but are our digital natives prepared for the changing landscape? Proceedings of ASCILITE 2008: Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology? Deakin University, Melbourne.

Wood, D. and Kurzel, F. (2008). Engaging students in reflective practice through a process of formative peer review and peer assessment, Proceedings of the ATN Assessment Conference 2008: Engaging Students in Assessment, Adelaide.

Hickey-Moody, A. and Wood, D. (2008). Virtually sustainable: Deleuze & desiring differenciation in Second Life, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, Australia.

Hickey-Moody, A. and Wood, D. (2008). Imagining otherwise: Deleuze, disability & Second Life. Proceedings of the ANZCA08 Conference,Power and Place, Wellington, July 2008.

Friedel, M. and Wood, M. (2008). Challenging design students to be ethical professionals in a changing landscape of technologies, Proceedings of ASCILITE 2008: Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology? Deakin University, Melbourne.

Freney, M. and Wood, D. (2008). The Delivery and Management of Feedback and Assessment in an e-Learning Environment, International Journal of Learning, The University Press Journals, New York.

Abhary, K., Adriansen,H.K., Begovac,F., Djukic, D. Qin, B., Spuzic, S., Wood,D. and Xing, K. (2009). Some Basic Aspects of Knowledge. WCES-2009 Procedia Social and Behavioural Sciences, 2009.

Wood, D. (2007). Form and Function in Web Design: A Humanistic Perspective, Design Principles and Practices: an International Journal, Vol 3 No 4, The University Press Journals, New York and Victoria.

Wood, D. (2007) Promoting the Social Sustainability of Virtual Communities through Inclusive Design Practices, The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol 1, No 3, The University Press Journals, New York and Victoria.

Wood, D. and Freney, M. (2007). Collaborative Peer Review: A Model for Promoting Reflective Practice, Improving Quality of Feedback and Enhancing Learning Outcomes Proceedings of HERDSA 2007 International Conference: Enhancing Higher Education, Theory and Scholarship, Adelaide, Australia.

Freney, M. and Wood, D. (2007). Computer Aided Feedback and Assessment Systems: a Tool for Learning Advisors,Proceedings of ATLAANZ 2006 Conference, Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Wood, D. (2007). Selling the "Nation-State" in the Bid for Gold: A critical analysis of the strategies employed by Sydney and Beijing in their winning bids to host the Olympic Games, The International Journal of the Humanities, Vol 5, No 9, The University Press Journals, New York and Victoria.

Freney, M. and Wood, D. (2006). CAFAS: An automated computer aided assessment tool for providing student feedback and managing assessment information, refereed paper accepted for publication in Proceedings of the Evaluations and Assessment Conference 2006, Curtin University of Technology, Perth.

George, R. and Wood, D. (2005). Promoting the Scholarship of Online Teaching and Learning, refereed paper in Proceedings of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, City University, London.

George, R. , Wood, D. and Wache, D. (2004). Shifting the teaching paradigm: Professional development in online teaching and learning in second volume of Current Perspectives on Applied Information Technologies, Information Age Publishing in collaboration with the Centre for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT) at Western Illinois University, 2004.

Schiller, W., Wood, D. and Meiners, J. (2004). In the Beginning: Establishing a Model for a Transnational Interdisciplinary Arts Education Project, refereed paper published in Sheehy, F and Stauble, B. (eds) Proceedings of HERDSA Conference, Transforming Knowledge into Wisdom, Sarawak..

Day, I., Wood, D., Scutter, S. and Astachnowicz, S. (2003). Report on Preliminary Trials of Synchronous, Voice-based Communication, Proceedings of ASCILITE 2003, Adelaide, South Australia, December 2003.

Wood, D. and George, R. (2003). Quality Standards in Online Teaching and Learning: A Tool for Authors and Developers, Proceedings of ASCILITE 2003, Adelaide, South Australia, December 2003.

George, R. and Wood, D. (2003) Promoting the quality of online courses, Proceedings of Learning for an unknown future conference,Christchurch, New Zealand, 2003.

Flatt, J, Tuckwell, K amd Liu, S (2001). Innovations in Mineral Processing Education in Australia through MTEC in published proceedings of Metallurgy High Technology and New Materials of Heavy Nonferrous Metals conference in Kunming, China, 2001.

Reid, Ian C. and Wood, Denise (2000). 'Convergence of Print, Multimedia and Internet Technologies: A Holistic Approach to the Production of Flexible Teaching and Learning Resources' paper presented at Distance Education: an open question?: International Distance Education Conference, Adelaide, September.

Wood, D.L. (1990). The Characteristics of Intrinsically Motivating Early Childhood and Special Education Software. In, McDougall, A. and Dowling, C. (eds.). Computers in Education. North-Holland: Elsevier Science Publishers, 719-724.

Wood, D.L. and Correll, M. (1988). Research Implications for the use of Microcomputers in Early Childhood and Special Education. Proceedings of the Sixth Australian Computers in Education Conference, Perth, September, 378-386.

Wood, D.L. (1987). Educational Materials to Support Microcomputer Applications in the Classroom: An Integrated Approach. Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference, Adelaide, September, 75-82.

Wood, D.L. (1987). The Microcomputer as a Tool for Learning in Special Education. Unicorn, Journal of the Australian College of Education, 13 (3), 182-184.

Wood, D.L. (1986). Computer Courseware Designed for Students with Special Needs. Australian Journal of Remedial Education, 18 (4), December, 59-62.

Wood, D.L. (1986). Microcomputer Applications Beyond Drill and Practice: New Challenges in Special Education. Australian Journal of Special Education, 10 (2), November,29-32.

I am able to provide media comment in the following areas of expertise:

Discipline: Communication; Popular Culture; Screen Literacy; New Media

• Web 2.0 and 3D virtual worlds
• Web accessibility in higher education
• Online teaching and learning
• Digital Divide