Dr Russell Butson

DipTchg, BA, PGDipArts, MA, PhD

Email russell.butson@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5789

Learning Sciences Research Cluster

About Russell

My work is primarily dedicated to transforming education into a dynamic experience that is tailored to learners' aspirations, advocating a shift from traditional content-centric methods to a context-centric approach, which prioritises real-world relevance. This approach is influenced by the rich traditions of Te Ao Māori and Pacific communities, focusing on nurturing students' ambitions while emphasising the importance of meaningful relationships, leadership, and achievement. To accomplish this, I emphasise the integration of emerging technologies, with a focus on liberating and empowering students to become authentic, critical, and innovative thinkers. This approach is not only about imparting knowledge; it is dedicated to nurturing curiosity and fostering creativity, thereby enabling students to explore and grow in an environment that aligns with their individual interests and potential.

Learning and teaching

In 2024, my teaching and learning initiatives will concentrate on advancing cultural sensitivity, fostering technological innovation, and empowering students through transformative educational practices.

Transforming educational methods from traditional content-centric to a context-centric approach, emphasizing authentic, situated learning with real-world relevance.
Integrating the rich traditions of Te Ao Māori and Pacific communities to nurture students' ambitions, foster meaningful relationships, leadership, and academic achievement.
Employing emerging technologies like AR, VR, AI, wearable devices, and Cloud Computing to enhance the educational experience.
Designing learning conditions that liberate and empower students to become authentic, critical, and innovative thinkers.

Digital learning and teaching environments

Alongside my teaching and research, I oversee several innovative digital platforms designed to enhance the learning experience. I welcome inquiries and discussions about these dynamic educational platforms:

The Education Network: A collaborative platform facilitating connections and resource-sharing across the teaching divisions.
xOtago: A self-paced, modular learning environment offering flexible and personalized educational pathways.
Teams for Teaching: For staff interested in using Microsoft Teams to create a more social learning and teaching experience.

Research interests

My research is primarily applied and focused on addressing emerging problems that are associated with the 21st century educational landscape and include

The science of learning
Experiential learning
Artificial intelligence in education
New educational research methods/methodologies

Supervision

I am available to supervise postgraduates in higher education who wish to undertake research into any aspect of academic life/teaching/learning within professional and university settings, particularly where there is a focus on my research interests.

Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss your ideas.

Email russell.butson@otago.ac.nz

Current students

Patrick Mazzocco (PhD) Lifelong learning through career breaks
David Coburn (MHEd) Enhancing hospital dentistry education in dental undergraduate curricula: A case study of New Zealand dental schools

Past students

Farah Shawkat (PhD) Teacherpreneurship and the digital learning landscape in higher education. 2022
Larian Nkomo (PhD) Students' engagement patterns with digital learning technologies: An empirical case of lecture recordings. 2022
Ifeanyi Glory Ndukwe (PhD) Teaching analytics and teacher dashboards to visualise SET data: Implication to theory and practice. 2021
Miriam Gibson (PhD) Making Meaning: The role of activity in learning. 2020
Taylor Wilson (MHEd) An exploration of learning and performance in high-fidelity critical care simulation through the use of data sensors. 2020
Kait O'Callahan (MHEd) Life's Nurse: Exploring the Impact of Sleep on Performance and Wellbeing in Medical Imaging Students Using Fitbit Devices. 2020
Senorita John (PhD) Mining reality to explore the 21st century student experience. 2019
Belinda Lawrence (PhD) Individual, Institutional and Environmental Factors Influencing Online Distance Tertiary Teaching in New Zealand. 2019
Hamid Mahroeian (PhD) Big Data and Analytics in Higher Education. 2018
Nick Baker (MHEd) The Dynamics of Online Group Learning. 2017
Senorita John (MHEd) An investigation into the study practices of health science students. 2016
Kwong Nui Sim (PhD) An investigation into the way PhD students utilise ICT to support their doctoral research process. 2015
Suzie Bartlett (MHEd) Use of Actor-based Simulations in Heath Education. 2015
Dallas Knight (PhD) Digital Channels in healthcare service delivery. 2014
Belinda Lawrence (PGDipHighE) Web Based Technology Use in Online and Distance Learning. 2013
Kwong Nui Sim (MA) The importance of personal computers in Higher Education. 2012
Khalaf Alsalm (MSc) Factors and Characteristics of Successful Research Collaboration and E-collaboration Tools, 2011

Publications

O'Callahan, K., Butson, R., & Mair, J. (2024). Sleep patterns and awareness in medical imaging students using wearable technology. Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning, 7(1). doi: 10.33966/hepj.7.1.18045 Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Spronken-Smith, R. (2024). AI and its implications for research in higher education: A critical dialogue. Higher Education Research & Development, 43(3), 563-577. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2023.2280200 Journal - Research Article

Thong, C. L., Butson, R., & WeiLee, L. (2023). Understanding the impact of ChatGPT in education: Exploratory study on students' attitudes, perception and ethics. In T. Cochrane, V. Narayan, C. Brown, K. MacCallum, E. Bone, C. Deneen, … B. Hurren (Eds.), Proceedings of the 40th Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) Conference: Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education: People, Partnerships and Pedagogies. (pp. 234-243). doi: 10.14742/apubs.2023.461 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Barnes, T., Lesche, S., Butson, R., & Wright, D. (2023). Fostering authenticity in undergraduate surgical education: An innovative approach to teaching in the operating theatre. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93(Suppl. 1), (pp. 179). doi: 10.1111/ans.18394 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Butson, R., Barnes, T., & Wright, D. (2023). Fostering authenticity in surgical education: Creating a safe space for medical students to practice as doctors. Journal of Surgical Education, 80(2), 159-165. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.08.014 Journal - Research Other

2024

Journal - Research Article

2023

Journal - Research Other

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2022

Chapter in Book - Research

Butson, R., & O'Callahan, K. (2022). Personal analytics in the science of learning. In A. Kaplan (Ed.), Digital transformation and disruption of higher education. (pp. 377-390). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108979146.036

Journal - Research Article

Jeremiah, F., & Butson, R. (2022). Exploring the paradox of mental illness amongst some high achievers. Minerva Psychiatry, 63(3), 295-299.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Shawkat, F., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2022). Teacherpreneurship: An integrated framework and its practicality among the 21st century university teachers. In E. Heinrich, A. Jolley & L. Rowan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. (pp. 62-63). HERDSA Aotearoa/New Zealand. [Abstract]

Wright, D., Boren, M., Butson, R., Lesche, S., & Barnes, T. (2022). Exploring medical student perspectives on the use of real-life/real-time video to enhance operating theatre learning. Colorectal Disease, 24(Suppl. 1), (pp. 141-142). doi: 10.1111/codi.16048

2021

Journal - Research Article

Nkomo, L. M., Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. J. (2021). Synthesis of student engagement with digital technologies: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18, 34. doi: 10.1186/s41239-021-00270-1

2020

Journal - Research Article

Jeremiah, F., Suazo, A. E., & Butson, R. (2020). Contemplating the value of liminality for entrepreneurs. Tamara Journal for Critical Organization Inquiry, 18(1), 1-11. doi: 10.7206/tamara.1532-5555.5

Butson, R., John, S., & Suazo, A. (2020). The behaviour of learning: Exploring independent study practices of undergraduate heath science students. Medical Science Educator, 30, 917-925. doi: 10.1007/s40670-020-00974-5

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Wright, D., & Butson, R. (2020). Revolutionising the undergraduate surgical attachment: Using technology to enhance legitimate peripheral participation. In M. Anakin & Q. Liu (Eds.), Proceedings of the Otago Medical School Health Professions Education Research Group Symposium [Online]. (pp. 11). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Medical School, Dunedin Campus, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/10591

2019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Collins, J., Regenbrecht, H., Langlotz, T., Can, Y. S., Ersoy, C., & Butson, R. (2019). Measuring cognitive load and insight: A methodology exemplified in a virtual reality learning context. Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR). Piscataway, NJ: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ISMAR.2019.00033

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Butson, R. (2019). The office: The impact of the digital revolution on the office practices of early career academics (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/9020

2018

Journal - Research Article

Ndukwe, I. G., Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. J. (2018). Data science approach for simulating educational data: Towards the development of teaching outcome model (TOM). Big Data & Cognitive Computing, 2(3), 24. doi: 10.3390/bdcc2030024

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

John, S., Butson, R., & Spronken-Smith, R. (2018). Mining digital reality: Exploring the virtual activities of undergraduate students. In M. Campbell, J. Willems, C. Adachi, D. Blake, I. Doherty, S. Krishnan, … J. Tai (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) International Conference: Open Oceans: Learning without Borders. (pp. 418-422). Retrieved from http://ascilite.org

2017

Chapter in Book - Research

Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. J. (2017). The rise of big data and analytics in higher education. In E. Rodriguez (Ed.), The analytics process: Strategic and tactical steps. (pp. 113-126). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315161501-6

Perumal, V., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2017). Learning analytics of clinical anatomy e-cases. In B. K. Daniel (Ed.), Big data and learning analytics in higher education: Current theory and practice. (pp. 253-263). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

Journal - Research Article

Sim, K. N., & Butson, R. (2017). Visualising the doctoral research process: An exploration into empirical research processes of emerging researchers. International Journal of Learning, Teaching & Educational Research, 16(9), 42-59. doi: 10.26803/ijlter.16.9.4

Mahroeian, H., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2017). The perceptions of the meaning and value of analytics in New Zealand higher education institutions. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 14(35). doi: 10.1186/s41239-017-0073-y

Perumal, V., Butson, R., Blyth, P., & Daniel, B. (2017). Clinical anatomy e-cases: A five-year follow-up of learning analytics. New Zealand Medical Journal, 130(1449), 22-29. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

John, S., Butson, R., & Spronken-Smith, R. (2017). Mining for meaning: Detecting behavioural patterns in student spatiotemporal data. In F.-Y. Yu, S. Murthy, G. Biswas, B. Chang, M. Chang, J. Mason, … A. Mitrovic (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE) Doctoral Student Consortia. (pp. 13-16). Taoyuan City, Taiwan: Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education. [Full Paper]

Mahroeian, H., Daniel, B., Butson, R., & Kumar, V. (2017). The impact of analytics within the institutions of higher education in New Zealand. Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE). (pp. 17-19). Retrieved from http://icce2017.canterbury.ac.nz

Butson, R. (2017). Measuring stress in doctoral research: A case for reality mining across psychological, physiological and environmental dimensions. Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE). (pp. 45-49). Retrieved from http://icce2017.canterbury.ac.nz

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Shawkat, F., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2017). Teacherpreneurship: A paradigm shift within the digital landscape of higher education. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 84). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/graduate-research/scholarships/otago643219.html

John, S., & Butson, R. (2017). I am what I do: Detecting behavioural patterns in student spatiotemporal data. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 39-40). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/graduate-research/scholarships/otago643219.html

John, S., Butson, R., & Spronken-Smith, R. (2017). I am what I do: Using digital devices to detect behavioural patterns in student spatiotemporal data. In L. G. Chova, A. L. Martínez & I. C. Torres (Eds.), Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (EDULEARN). IATED Academy. doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2017.1443

2016

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Sim, K. N., & Butson, R. (2016). Visualizing the doctoral research process. In M. Picard & A. McCulloch (Eds.), Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Quality in Postgraduate Research (QPR) Conference. (pp. 34). Adelaide, Australia: QPR Organising Committee. [Abstract]

Butson, R. (2016). Learning potentialities against the backdrop of the digital revolution. Proceedings of the First Year Biology Educators' Colloquium (FYBC). (pp. 4). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/fybec/programme-and-speakers/index.html

Sim, K. N., & Butson, R. (2016). Blackboard: Its future as an agent of change. Proceedings of the Innovate & Educate Teaching & Learning Conference by Blackboard. Retrieved from https://experience.blackboard.com/TLC-Sydney/the-conference/detailed-program/

Butson, R. (2016). The digital academic: Measuring daily practice. Proceedings of the 5th International Academic Identities Conference. Retrieved from http://sydney.edu.au/education-portfolio/ei/getinvolved/aic2016/program.htm

Gibson, M., & Butson, R. (2016). Making meaning: The role of activity in learning. Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. Retrieved from http://herdsa.org.nz/ternz/2016

John, S., Butson, R., & Spronken-Smith, R. (2016). Mining reality: Detecting behavioural patterns in student spatiotemporal data. Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. Retrieved from http://herdsa.org.nz/ternz/2016

Shawkat, F., Daniel, B., & Butson, R. (2016). Teacherpreneurship: Transforming teaching within higher education. Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. Retrieved from http://herdsa.org.nz/ternz/2016

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Butson, R. (2016, November). Measuring stress in doctoral research: A case for reality mining across psychological, physiological and environmental dimensions. Verbal presentation at the aWEAR: Wearable Technologies, Knowledge Development, and Learning Conference, Stanford, USA.

2015

Journal - Research Article

Bartlett, S., & Butson, R. (2015). Trained actors help students learn mental health nursing skills. Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand, 21(8), 17-19.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

John, S., & Butson, R. (2015). Beyond the lecture: Exploring study practices of health science students. Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.herdsa.org.nz/ternz/2015/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Bartlett, S., & Butson, R. (2015, November). The value of actor-based simulations in mental health education. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Nurse Educators Conference (ANEC): Co-creating the Future, Auckland, New Zealand.

2014

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Thomson, C. (2014). Challenges of effective collaboration in a virtual learning environment among undergraduate students. Creative Education, 5(16), 1449-1459. doi: 10.4236/ce.2014.516162

Sim, K. N., & Butson, R. (2014). To what degree are undergraduate students using their personal computers to support their daily study practices? IAFOR Journal of Education, 2(1), 158-171.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Sim, K., Butson, R., Stein, S., & van der Meer, J. (2014). Seeing between the lines: How do PhD students use computer technologies in their research practices? In B. Hegarty, J. McDonald & S.-K. Loke (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite) Conference: Rhetoric and Reality: Critical Perspectives on Educational Technology. (pp. 233-241). Retrieved from http://ascilite2014.otago.ac.nz/

2013

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Sim, K. N. (2013). The role of personal computers in undergraduate education. International Journal of Digital Literacy & Digital Competence, 4(3), 1-9. doi: 10.4018/ijdldc.2013070101

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Daniel, B. K., & Butson, R. (2013). Technology enhanced analytics (TEA) in higher education. In P. Kommers, T. Issa, N. M. Sharef & P. Isaías (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Educational Technologies (ICEduTech). (pp. 89-96). Lisbon, Portugal: IADIS Press. [Full Paper]

Sim, K., & Butson, R. (2013). The role/importance of personal computers to support learning in higher education. Proceedings of the Inaugural European Technology in the Classroom Conference. Nagoya, Japan: International Academic Forum. Retrieved from http://iafor.org/Proceedings/ECTC/ECTC2013_proceedings.pdf

Sim, K., & Butson, R. (2013). Do undergraduates use their personal computers to support learning? Procedia Social & Behavioral Sciences, 103, (pp. 330-339). doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.341

2012

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., Hendrick, P., Kidd, M., & Brannstrom, M. (2012). Developing a virtual interdisciplinary research community in clinical education: Enticing people to the "tea-room". Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice & Education, 2(3), 320-338.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Elliot, G., Meek, J., & Butson, R. (2012, August). e-Research initiatives at Otago: Thinking globally, applying locally. Verbal presentation at the University of Otago General Staff Conference: The Life in Our Day... Dunedin, New Zealand.

2011

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R., & Thomson, C. (2011). Reflections on the use of autovideography in an undergraduate education context. Journal of Research Practice, 7(2), Article D1. Retrieved from http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/243/236

Butson, R. (2011). Does higher education need deschooling? Industry & Higher Education, 25(3), 153-160. doi: 10.5367/ihe.2011.0042

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Eyers, D., & Butson, R. (2011, June-July). Managing sensitive “big data”. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand eResearch Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Eyers, D., & Butson, R. (2011, November). Managing sensitive data across the data life cycle. Verbal presentation at the eResearch Australasia: eXtreme eResearch Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

2009

Chapter in Book - Research

Butson, R., Cook, J. M., & Kardos, R. (2009). The oral health e-portfolio: A three-year project. In J. Zubizarreta (Ed.), The learning portfolio: Reflective practice for improving student learning. (2nd ed.) (pp. 97-108). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Journal - Research Article

Miyahara, M., Butson, R., Cutfield, R., & Clarkson, J. E. (2009). A pilot study of family-focused tele-intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder: Development and lessons learned. Telemedicine & e-Health, 15(7), 707-712. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2009.0022

Kardos, R. L., Cook, J. M., Butson, R. J., & Kardos, T. B. (2009). The development of an ePortfolio for life-long reflective learning and auditable professional certification. European Journal of Dental Education, 13(3), 135-141. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2008.00551.x

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Butson, R. (2009). Virtual research environment: An Otago experience. Proceedings of the eResearch@Otago Bi-annual Conference. Retrieved from http://extreme.otago.ac.nz/ocs/index.php/eResearch/er09/

Miyahara, M., Clarkson, J. E., Cutfield, R., & Butson, R. (2009). Family focused tele-intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder: Development and lessons learned. Physical Therapy Reviews. 14(1), (pp. 3). [Abstract]

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Aman, K., Butson, R., Epere, A., Hussein, R., Holdsworth, S., & Thomson, C. (2009). Blackboard@Otago: A student Perspective. Committee for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching. Dunedin: University of Otago. 50p. Retrieved from https://docushare.otago.ac.nz/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-14458

2008

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Butson, R. J., & Kardos, R. L. (2008). The role of ePortfolios in continuing professional development. Proceedings of the Faculty of Dentistry 3M Research Day. Retrieved from http://dentistry.otago.ac.nz/research/rd2008/presentations.html

Kardos, R., & Butson, R. (2008). The role of ePortfolios in continuing professional development for an emerging health professional. In C. Bond & R. Spronken-Smith (Eds.), Proceedings of the Spotlight on Teaching at Otago Conference. (pp. 25). Dunedin, New Zealand: HEDC, University of Otago. [Abstract]

2007

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Kardos, R., Chrzan, J., & Butson, R. (2007). Professional ePortfolio Project: Bridging the divide between student and practicing professional. Proceedings of the Health Informatics New Zealand 6th Annual Forum & Exhibition. Auckland, New Zealand: HINZ. [Full Paper]

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Lawson, I., & Butson, R. (2007). eResearch at Otago: A report of the University of Otago eResearch Steering Group. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. 26p.

Awarded Masters Degree

Butson, R. (2007). An investigation into the factors affecting teaching staff's adoption of web-based teaching in higher education (MA). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 173p.

2006

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Butson, R., Carr, S., & Bosselman, G. (2006). Engagement as a more helpful measure of student learning. In J. M. Jennings & T. Angelo (Eds.), Proceedings of the Student Engagement Symposium. (pp. 26-28). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit. [Full Paper]

2005

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2005). The role of faculty in the digital education of tomorrow. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 17(1), 3-16.

2003

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2003). Transcending the flatland. Teaching in Higher Education, 8(3), 447-451.

Butson, R. (2003). Teaching as a practice of social injustice: Perspectives from a teacher. Radical Pedagogy, 5(1). Retrieved from http://radicalpedagogy.icaap.org/content/issue5_1/10_butson.html

Butson, R. (2003). Learning objects: Weapons of mass instruction. British Journal of Educational Technology, 34(5), 667-669.

Butson, R. (2003). That 'teaching' is a prodigious illusion: In the words and form of Soren Kierkegaard. Essays in Education, 6(Summer). Retrieved from http://www.usca.edu/essays/vol62003/butson.pdf

2002

Journal - Research Article

Butson, R. (2002). The experience of practitioners with technology-enhanced teaching and learning: A response. Educational Technology & Society, 5(3). Retrieved from http://ifets.ieee.org/periodical/vol_3_2002/butson.pdf

Software

McDonald, J., Smith, J., Cumming, A., Magee, W., Butson, R., & Rumball, V. (2002). An interactive website for a course in film and media studies (Version http://edmedia.otago.ac.nz/ascilite) [Computer Software]. Dunedin, New Zealand: Educational Media, Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://edmedia.otago.ac.nz/ascilite