UC Spark

Professor Niki Davis

School of Educational Studies and Leadership; College Office (Education)

Fields of Research

  • e-Learning
  • Innovation and change
  • ICT Information & Communication Technologies

Researcher Summary

Niki Davis, University of Canterbury Professor of e-Learning, is recognized internationally as a leading expert in information and communication technologies in teacher education. Sought by UNESCO, European Commission, national agencies, companies, scholarly societies and institutions for her expertise; she has over 200 publications including books and scholarly papers. Leadership positions have included Director of Iowa State University Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching in the USA and University of Exeter Telematics Center in the UK; President of the Society of Information Technology in Teacher Education, the UK association for Information Technology in Teacher Education and DEANZ the New Zealand association for open flexible and distance learning; Chair of educational research for the International Federation of Information Processing; and Editor of academic refereed journals including Information Technology for Teacher Education, and the World Yearbook of Education for 2004. Since her arrival in New Zealand in 2008 Professor Davis has led research in e-learning, including e-learning for adults with needs in literacy and numeracy for the New Zealand Ministry of Education and virtual schooling. Ako Aotearoa funded projects include the first system-wide scenario set for education. Collaborative work includes culturally sensitive e-learning with success for indigenous peoples.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Projects

Research Groups

Future Research

  • Virtual schooling and e-teaching
  • Future of education
  • Change with digital technologies
  • Culturally sensitive e-learning

Key Methodologies

  • Action Research
  • Design Based Research
  • Scenario Building
  • Emergent methodologies

Affiliations

Research Service

  • CEISMIC competitive research grant of $7,278 to develop e-archiving of earthquake related research in federated collection (2011-present)
  • Currently supervising 9 PhD students. (2009-present)
  • NZ CARN National CARN hub inaugral Coordinator (2009-present)
  • Director of UC e-Learning Lab leading research & development of e-learning including innovative approaches to learning, plus professional and organisational evolution for more effective education. A growing community linking internationally for a blend of research, courses, events, and resources. (2008-present)
  • Joyce Gikandi submitted PhD in under 3 years (2008-2012)

Publications

(Selected outputs for last six years)

Journal Article
  • Davis, N.E. (2012) While waiting for the Network for Learning we are building it! Computers in New Zealand Schools 24(3): 308-327.
  • Mackey, J. and Davis, N. (2011) Increasing the flow of research through CINZS with the ULearn Research Stream (Editorial). Computers in New Zealand Schools 23(3): 182- 185.
  • Davis, N.E. and Loveless, A. (2011) Reviewing the landscape of ICT and teacher education over 20 years and looking forward to the future. Technology, Pedagogy and Education 20(3): 247-261. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2011.610928.
  • Fletcher, J. (2011) Supporting adult English language learners using a web based programme. Journal of Adult Learning Aotearoa New Zealand 39(1): 14-25.
  • Wise, S., Greenwood, J. and Davis, N. (2011) Teachers' Use of Digital Technology in Secondary Music Education: Illustrations of Changing Classrooms. British Journal of Music Education 28(2): 117-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0265051711000039.
  • Compton, L., Davis, N. and Correia, A.P. (2010) Pre-service teachers' preconceptions, misconceptions, and concerns about virtual schooling. Distance Education 31(1): 37-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587911003725006.
  • Davis, N. and Morrow, D. (2010) Synergy between information and communications technologies and educational action research and collaborative construction of our active identities. Educational Action Research 18(1): 89-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09650790903484558.
  • Compton, L. and Davis, N. (2010) The Impact of and the Key Elements for a Successful Virtual Early Field Experience: Lessons Learned from a Case Study. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education 10(3): 309-337. http://www.editlib.org/p/30479.
  • Davis, N. and Ferdig, R.E. (2009) Editorial: What Is Special About Teacher Education for Virtual Schooling? Journal of Technology and Teacher Education 17(4): 425-435.
  • Compton, L.K.L., Davis, N. and Mackey, J. (2009) Field Experience in Virtual Schools—To Be There Virtually. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education 17(4): 459-477. http://www.editlib.org/p/28316.
  • Davis, N., Preston, C. and Sahin, I. (2009) Training teachers to use new technologies impacts multiple ecologies: Evidence from a national initiative. British Journal of Educational Technology 40(5): 861-878. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00875.x.
  • Coreia, A-P. and Davis, N. (2008) Intersecting communities of practice in distance education: the program team and the online course community. Distance Education 29(3): 289-306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587910802395813.
  • Davis, N.E., Roblyer, M.D., Charania, A., Harms, C., Ferdig, R., Compton, L. and Cho, M.O. (2007) Illustrating the "virtual" in virtual schooling: Challenges and strategies for creating real tools to prepare virtual teachers. The Internet and Higher Education 10(1): 27-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2006.11.001.
  • Ferdig, R.E., Coutts, J., DiPietro, J., Lok, B. and Davis, N.E. (2007) Innovative technologies for multicultural education needs.. Multicultural Education and Technology Journal 1(1): 47-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17504970710745201.
  • Davis, N. and Niederhauser, D.S. (2007) Virtual Schooling. Learning & Leading with Technology 34(7): 10-15.
Chapter in Book
  • Greenwood, J., Te Aika, L. and Davis, N. (2011) Creating Virtual Marae: An Examination of How Digital Technologies Have Been Adopted by Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand. In P.R. Leigh (Ed.), International Exploration of Technology Equity and the Digital Divide: Critical, Historical and Social Perspectives: 58-79. Charlotte: Information Age Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61520-793-0.ch004.
  • Harms, C., Niederhauser, D.S.N., Davis, N.E., Roblyer, M.D. and Gilbert, S.B. (2010) Educating Educators for Virtual Schooling: Communicating Roles and Responsibilities. In C.M. Stewart, C.C. Schifter and M.E. Markaridian (Ed.), Teaching and Learning with Technology: Beyond Constructivism: 70-86. New York & Oxford: Routledge.
  • Davis, N. (2010) Global Interdisciplinary Research into the Diffusion of IT Innovations in Education. In A. McDougall, J. Murname, A. Jones and N. Reynolds (Ed.), Researching IT in Education: Theory, Practice and Future Directions: 142-149. London: Routledge.
  • Davis, N.E. and Roblyer, M.D. (2010) Preparing teachers for the "Schools that technology built": Evaluation of a program to train teachers for virtual schooling. In L. Schrum (Ed.), Technology and teachers. Best of JRTE: 127-139. Eugene: ISTE.
  • Davis, N.E. (2010) Technology in preservice teacher education. In P. Peterson, E. Baker, B. McGaw (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Education, Vol. 8 (3rd ed.): 217-221. Oxford: Elsevier.
  • Davis, N. (2008) How may teacher learning be promoted for educational renewal with IT? In J. Voogt and G. Knezek (Ed.), International Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education: 507-520. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  • Zhang, D. and Davis, N.E. (2007) Online Chat for Heritage Learners of Chinese. In K. Kondo-Brown and J.D. Brown (Ed.), Teaching Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Heritage Language Students: Curriculum Needs, Materials, and Assessment: 299-328. London: Routledge.
Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings
  • Nordin, H., Morrow, D. and Davis, N.E. (2012) A case study of ICT integration during field experience in Malaysian secondary school. Austin, TX, USA: 23rd International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE), 5-9 Mar 2012. In Proceedings 2012(1) 4275-4280. http://www.editlib.org/p/40285/.
  • Mackey, J., Davis, N., Morrow, D., Gikandi, J. and Dabner, N. (2012) Enhancing digital capability through self-directed learning for initial teacher education and beyond. Austin,TX, USA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE), 5-9 Mar 2012. In Proceedings 2012(1) 4745-4750. http://www.editlib.org/p/40358.
  • Leigh, P.R., Davis, N.E. and McShay, J. (2012) International exploration of technology equity and the digital divide. Austin, TX, USA: 23rd International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE), 5-9 Mar 2012. In Proceedings 2012(1) 1556-1558. http://www.editlib.org/p/39805/.
  • Davis, N.E., Zaka, P., Higgins, A., Anderson, B. and Suddaby, G. (2012) Validating a collective scenario of tertiary education in 2016 with SITE.. Austin, Texas: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012, 5 Mar 2012. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012 P. Resta et al (Ed.) 3170-3176. http://www.editlib.org/p/40077.
  • Barbour, M., Wenmoth, D. and Davis, N.E. (2012) Virtual learning in New Zealand: Achieving maturity. Austin, TX, USA: 23rd International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE), 5-9 Mar 2012. In Proceedings 2012(1) 3824-3832. http://www.editlib.org/p/40200/.
  • López-Fernández, O., Davis ,N., Hunt, A.M., Morrow, D., Nordin, H. and Mackey, J. (2012) Walking to the future stages of the Higher Education: Blended learning strategies empirically proved. Austin, TX, USA: 23rd International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE), 5-9 Mar 2012. In Proceedings 2012(1) 591-594. http://www.editlib.org/p/39635/.
  • Davis, N.E. and Sudlow, D. (2011) Achievements of the Southern Central Divide schools in implementing personalized blended learning. Rotorua, New Zealand: Ulearn 11, 6-8 Oct 2011. In Proceedings of Ulearn 11 - Research Stream 34-39.
  • Davis, N., Dabner, N., Mackey, J., Walker, L., Hunt, A.M., Breeze, D., Morrow, D., Astall, C. and Cowan, J. (2011) Converging Offerings of Teacher Education in Times of Austerity: Transforming Spaces, Places and Roles. Nashville, TN, USA: 22nd Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 7-11 Mar 2011. In SITE 2011(1) 224-229. http://www.editlib.org/p/36263.
  • Almutairi, A., Everatt, J., Davis, N. and Snape, P. (2011) Technology Education in primary schools of New Zealand and Saudi Arabia: A comparative study. Dunedin, New Zealand: Biennial Conference of Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ 2011), 26-28 Jul 2011. In Proceedings of Technology Education Eighth Biennial Conference http://www.tenz.org.nz/2011/proceedings.cfm.
  • Gikandi, J.W., Davis, N.E., Morrow, D. and Mackey, J. (2010) Authentic learning environments enhanced with online formative assessment. Christchurch, New Zealand: Ulearn 2010, 6-8 0ct 2010. In Proceedings 30-35.
  • Davis, N., Mackey, J., McGrath, A., Morrow, D., Walker, L. and Dabner, N. (2010) Blending online and on-site spaces and communities: Developing effective practices. San Diego, CA, USA: 21st Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 29 Mar-2 Apr 2010. 2696-2698. http://www.editlib.org/p/33778.
  • Nicholas, K., Davis, N. and Fletcher, J. (2010) How can e-learning and ICT support second-chance adult learners? Christchurch, New Zealand: Ulearn 10, 6-8 Oct 2010. In Proceedings of Ulearn10 - Research Stream 49-55.
  • Davis, N., Charania, A. and McGrath, A. (2010) School teacher preparation and professional development for virtual schooling in the USA and New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: DEANZ Conference 2010, 25-28 Apr 2010.
  • Voogt, J., Knezek, G., Dede, C., Resta, P., Searson, M., Thompson, A., Laferriere, T., Gibson, D., Riel, M., Schulz-Zander, R., Christensen, R., Lai, K.W., Davis, N., Baker, R., Gibson, I. and Knezek, D. (2010) The International Handbook Summit Call to Action for Learning with Technology in the 21st Century: Next Steps, Part 2. San Diego, CA, USA: 21st Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 29 Mar-2 Apr 2010. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 2413-2415. http://www.editlib.org/p/33728.
  • Dabner, N. and Davis, N. (2009) Developing best practices in online teaching and learning to impact students and their organizations. Auckland, New Zealand: ASCILITE 2009, 6-9 Dec 2009.
  • Davis, N., Compton, L.K.L. and Mackey, J. (2009) Field Experience with a Virtual School’s Teacher: How can it be done? Charleston, SC, USA: Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) 20th International Conference, 2-6 Mar 2009. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2009 323-328.
  • Mackey, J., McGrath, A. and Davis, N. (2009) Issues of Flexibility, Choice and Authenticity for Online In-service Teacher Education. Charleston, SC, USA: Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) 20th International Conference, 2-6 Mar 2009. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2009 452-456.
  • Davis, N., Fletcher, J., Groundwater-Smith, S. and Macfarlane, A. (2009) The Puzzles of Practice: Initiating a collaborative action and research culture within and beyond New Zealand. Rotorua, New Zealand: NZARE Conference & Annual Meeting, 30 Nov-4 Dec 2009. In Proceedings 14pp.
  • Davis, N., Fletcher, J. and Groundwater-Smith, S. (2009) The Puzzles of Practice: Initiating a collaborative research culture. Canberra, Australia: 2009 Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) International Education Research Conference, 29 Nov-3 Dec 2009. http://www.aare.edu.au/09pap/dav091506.pdf.
  • Davis, N., Roblyer, M., Ferdig, R., Schoeny, Z., Ellis, R., Demiraslan, Y. and Compton, L. (2007) Creating Real Tools & Curriculum to Prepare Virtual Teachers. San Antonio, TX, USA: SITE 2007 - Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 26-30 Mar 2007. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2007 281-285. http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24546.
  • Laferriere, T., Resta, P., Davis, N., McLaughlin, R., Orey, M., Shakwa, G., Malone, T., Wilder, H., Gibson, I., Beisser, S., FitzGibbon, A., Brennan Freeman, E., Castro-Filho, J., Voogt, J., Knezek, G. and Hargrave, C. (2007) Digital Divide and International Research and Development in Information Technology and Teacher Education, Part 1. San Antonio, TX, USA: SITE 2007 - Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 26-30 Mar 2007. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2007 743-745. http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24636.
  • Keino, L., Davis, N. and Austin, R. (2007) Teacher Preparation in Post-Conflict Recovery Settings: Role of E-learning. San Antonio, TX, USA: SITE 2007 - Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 26-30 Mar 2007. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2007 1796-1799. http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24833.
  • Correia, A-P. and Davis, N. (2007) The Design of Collaboration in the Virtual Classroom. Anaheim, CA, USA: Annual Convention of the the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT 2007), 25-27 Oct 2007. In 2007 Annual Proceedings - Anaheim 2 http://www.aect.org/publications/proceedings/2007.asp?id=2.
  • Resta, P., Patru, M., Laferriere, T. and Davis, N. (2007) The Use of E-Learning for Teacher Development: Global Perspectives on Trends, Issues and Challenges. San Austin, TX, USA: SITE 2007 - Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 26-30 Mar 2007. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2007 1816-1818. http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24837.
  • Nilakanta, R., Hassall, L. and Davis, N. (2007) User-Designed Open Source Electronic Portfolios: The Case of eDoc Designed by Faculty, Students, and Staff. San Antonio, TX, USA: SITE 2007 - Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 26-30 Mar 2007. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2007 1626-1630. http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24798.
Edited Book
  • Dabner, N., Bailey, S., Johnson, J. and Davis, N. (Ed.) (2010) Proceedings of Ulearn 10 - Research Stream. Christchurch: University of Canterbury. 88pp.
Report for External Body
  • Davis, N.E. (2012) VISCED: Final report on teacher training. Sero as part of EC project VISCED. 35pp.
  • Gillon, G., Davis, N., Everatt, J., McNeill, B. and Moran, C. (2009) Supporting Adults with Dyslexia: A resource developed for the Tertiary Education Commission Adult Literacy Project. Tertiary Education Commission.
Other
  • Hunt, A-M., Mackey, J., Dabner, N., Morrow, D., Breeze, D., Walker, L. and Davis, N. (2011) Culturally sensitive blended learning for future teachers in challenging times. Distance Education Association of New Zealand (DEANZ) Magazine(May 2011): 1-4. http://www.deanz.org.nz/home/images/newsletters/May11.pdf. Magazine article.
Conference Contribution - Abstract
  • Nicholas, K., Davis, N. and Fletcher, J. (2010) Raising numeracy and literacy levels for adult learners with e-learning: What do the stakeholders have to say? Christchurch, New Zealand: Ulearn 10, 6-8 Oct 2010. In Proceedings of Ulearn 10 - Research Stream 49-55.
Conference Contribution - Poster presentation
  • Walker, L.E. and Davis, N. (2010) Including adults with dyslexia by diminishing vulnerability in a text dominated environment. Christchurch, New Zealand: Ulearn 10, 6-8 Oct 2010.
Working Paper