Internationally known lecturer, Wheeler speaks to DSU College of Education

Steve Wheeler, a senior lecturer in Distance Education at University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom was on the Dakota State University campus Friday to present his work in distance learning. Dr. Wheeler is currently leading the evaluation of the South Dakota Alliance for Distance Education.

“I’m impressed with the people and the technology being used here at Dakota State,” Wheeler said. “It’s not technology being used just to be used. It’s used because it needs to be used.”

“Here at Dakota State we are attempting as best we can to work with nationally and internationally respected professionals to build our capacity to work with learners at a distance,” said Mark Hawkes, CET Master’s Coordinator who works with Wheeler on the state evaluation project and extended the invitation for him to come to DSU.

Wheeler works across several schools and departments, developing strategic initiatives for telematic delivery of Masters degree modules. His work involves research and development, and he holds regular faculty development workshops where academics can explore instructional design, media presentation skills and support of remote learners. He teaches on several programs including the new Masters level online modules which use a combination of web based, video conference and face to face communication methods.

“Distance Education is about people working and coming together, sharing their minds,” said Wheeler. “DSU has created a community of learning and the professors are just as willing to learn new technologies as the students are.”

“Distance Education will never replace the traditional classroom,” emphasized Wheeler. “But it will enhance it and provide more flexibility.”

Wheeler has also worked in media, education and training for over 25 years, predominantly in nurse education and teacher training. From 1996-1998 he was employed by RATIO (Rural Area Training and Information Opportunities), a £5 million funded European project to establish 40 telematics training centers throughout South Western rural England. RATIO was aimed at economic regeneration of the region through the support and development of small and medium enterprises. During this time Steve managed the technology roll-out and training developments for the project. He was also involved in the successful bid to secure a further £13 million ADAPT European funds to develop the distance training portfolio further.

Wheeler was a national evaluator for the European funded UK wide EuroNet project. He has recently performed a similar role for the SANTTSUR tele-surgery project, which now involves hospitals across the UK and Ireland.

Steve is a member of the editorial boards for four international journals, and a member of the organizing committees for several international conferences and symposia. He is regularly invited to present his research at international events across Europe and the United States and has recently published his work in a number of high profile journals. He holds a first class honors degree in psychology from the UK Open University, and researched into the logistics and benefits of satellite television education during his teacher training.