Bolger, Mary
Telephone: +353-53-47279
Biography
Mary Bolger, currently associate lecturer in psychology with the Open University in Ireland, and also lecturer part-time with Carlow Institute of Technology, manages a distance learning program for people with a wide range of disabilities. In addition to exploring ways in which program implementation can be improved, she is responsible for ensuring that course delivery runs smoothly and that those individuals who participate in training can achieve their educational and vocational goals in an environment that is friendly and encouraging and one in which individual needs are acknowledged and catered for. Mary herself has pursued her own education through distance learning. Having initially completed a degree in Psychology with the Open University (UK), she has also recently completed a Masters in Online and Distance Education also with the Open University (UK).
Publications

June 2003

‘For people with disability-a sense of belonging; real benefits from virtual presence; enhancing the quality of learning by fostering online community growth’ – Presentation at European Distance Education Network Conference – Rhodes 2003

December 2004

‘Globalisation and Access to Knowledge in Post Modern Society for e-workers/e-learners with disabilities’ – Presentation at Symposium on Globalisation and the Freedom of Knowledge - Haagse Hogeschool, The Hague, 2004

May 2005

‘Preventing Social Exclusion of e-Learners with Disabilities’ - Article written jointly with Dr Sylvia van de Bunt-Kokhuis, Ph D (available from www.elearningeuropa.info)

June 2005

‘Virtual Learning Environments, the Benefits and the Challenges for People with Disabilities’ – Presentation at European Distance and E-learning Network Conference - Helsinki, 2005

November 2005

‘Educational Portals, and Content Filtering’ – Article written jointly with Jan Atle Toska and Sylvia van de Bunt-Kokhuis, in Van de Bunt-Kokhuis, S. (ed.) (2006) World Wide Work, Filtering of online content in a globalized world, VU University Press, Amsterdam.

January 2006

‘Globalisation – an opportunity for the ‘uneducated’ to become ‘learned’ or further ‘excluded’? – DRAFT submission to European Distance and E-learning Network