After a first degree in philosophy, Jon sang for a living for 10 years before taking an MSc in information systems. After that he managed technical support teams for several years before starting a PhD in learning technologies, gaining a graduate certificate in learning and teaching in higher education, and becoming a lecturer in information systems at the University of Brighton, UK. In 2005 he became the university's first National Teaching Fellow, and Head of Learning Environments. He moved to Canada in 2007 and has been teaching and researching at Athabasca University, where he is a full professor, ever since. His research is mainly concerned with learning, technology and the intersection of learning and technology. He lives in Vancouver.
Research interests
Learning technologies
Technology
Social learning
Motivation and learning
Educational credentials
BA (hons) Philosophy, University of Sussex
MSc (distinction) Information Systems, University of Brighton
Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Brighton
PhD Learning Technologies, University of Brighton
Professional affiliations
International Federation of National Teaching Fellows
Association of National Teaching Fellows
Books
Dron, J. & Anderson, T. (2014), Teaching Crowds: Learning & Social Media. Athabasca:AU Press
Dron, J. (2007). Control and Constraint in E-Learning: Choosing When to Choose. Hershey, PA: Idea Group International.
Selected journal papers
Dron, J. (2021) Educational Technology: what it is and how it works. AI & Society, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01195-z
Dron, J. (2018). Smart learning environments, and not so smart learning environments: a systems view. Smart Learning Environments, 5(1), 25. doi:10.1186/s40561-018-0075-9
Dron, J. (2012). The Pedagagogical-technological divide and the elephant in the room. International Journal on E-Learning, 11(1).
Anderson, T., & Dron, J. (2011). Three Generations of Distance Education Pedagogy. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12(3).