Education Technology Society

Audrey Watters is a legendary critical voice in the world of education and technology.
We rewind back to 2020 when Audrey caught up with Neil Selwyn to discuss the release of her (now much-praised) book with MIT Press – ‘Teaching Machines: The History of Personalised Learning’.
Recommended reading >>> Audrey Watters (2021).  Teaching Machines: The History of Personalised Learning. MIT Press

Learning analytics dashboards and metrics are an increasing presence in higher education. 
We talk to Hannes Hautz (University of Innsbruck) about his research on students’ mixed reactions to learning analytics, and how we can ensure more equitable and reflective use of student data. 
Recommended reading >>> Hautz, H. & Lipp, S. (2026). Algorithmic governmentality and student subjectivities: a critical examination of learning analytics in higher education. Learning, Media and Technology, 1-17.

Schools now make extensive use of social media for communication and self-promotion.  
 We talk to Tiffani Apps (University of Wollongong) about the data justice implications of school social media feeds, and how rights-based approaches can help schools engage with platforms in less harmful ways.  
Recommended reading >>> Apps, T., Beckman, K., Pawlicka, N. & Kidson, P. (2025). The nature of connection: parents’ experiences with school social media. Learning, Media and Technology, 1-16.

GenAI is changing the way that schools and universities think about student assessment. 
We talk to Thomas Corbin (Deakin University) about the future of the written essay in the era of AI, and how we need to rediscover the original spirit of essays as exploratory engagements with thinking. 
Recommended reading >>> Corbin, T., Walton, J., Bannister, P. & Deranty, J. (2026). On the essay in a time of GenAI. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 58(3):198-210

How can students and teachers be supported to get the most out of living with digital tech? 
Prof. Louise Mifsud (Oslo Met) is leading a new project supporting students’ critical digital literacy. 
We talk about the need to foster students’ ‘digital empowerment’, and the challenge of carrying out digital literacy projects in school systems facing growing calls to get screens out of classrooms. 
Accompanying reference >>>  Oslo Met ‘Empowered’ project