Social media and e-learning in response to seismic events: Resilient practices

Authors

  • Susan P. C. Tull University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand Phone: +64 03 3693187 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8592-4215
  • Nicki Dabner University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand
  • Kofi Ayebi-Arthur e-Learning Lab University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61468/jofdl.v21i1.306

Keywords:

social media, e-learning, disaster response, resilience

Abstract

The motivation to adopt innovative communication and e-learning practices in education settings can be stimulated by events such as natural disasters.  Education institutions in the Pacific Rim cannot avoid the likelihood of natural disasters that could close one or more buildings on a campus and impact their ability to continue current educational practices. For one university, the impetus to innovate was a series of seismic events. This paper presents findings from studies that identified resilient practices within this ‘late adopter’ university in New Zealand. The findings indicate that the combined use of social media and e-learning to support teaching, learning, communication and related organisational practices fosters resilience for students, staff and organisations in times of crises. Recommendations are presented that have relevance to all educational organisations which could be impacted by similar events.

Author Biographies

Susan P. C. Tull, University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand Phone: +64 03 3693187

Dr Susan Tull is an e-learning and digital technologies lecturer at the University of Canterbury where she teaches both online and blended courses.  Her PhD in Education focussed on e-learning professional development. The incorporation of digital technologies to support quality learning and teaching continues to be her research focus.

Nicki Dabner, University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand

Nicki Dabner is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Primarily involved in Teacher Education, her specific research interests include digital technologies /social media in educational settings, blended and online learning pedagogy/course design, and digital literacy/citizenship.

Kofi Ayebi-Arthur, e-Learning Lab University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand

Kofi Ayebi-Arthur, PhD; MEd; MEng: A senior lecturer of Computer Science Education at the Department of Mathematics and ICT Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and recently completed a PhD in Education (E-learning and Digital Technologies) at University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

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Published

2017-07-01

How to Cite

Tull, S. P. C., Dabner, N., & Ayebi-Arthur, K. (2017). Social media and e-learning in response to seismic events: Resilient practices. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, 21(1), 63–76. https://doi.org/10.61468/jofdl.v21i1.306

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2017): Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning

Section

Articles - Primary studies

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