Public profile Beth Perry

I have been teaching online at Athabasca University for 10 years and enjoy the challenge of creating engaging online learning environments. Using art-based strategies to help create a culture of community and to bring humanity to the online classroom is one of my research interests. Currently I am working with my research partners Margaret Edwards and Katherine Janzen on a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada funded study investigating the use of artistic pedagogical technologies (APTs) to stimulate interaction, create social presence, and help develop community in the online post-secondary classroom. In understanding why APTs seem to have a positive influence on online learning, Katherine developed the quantum perspective of learning (Janzen, Perry, Edwards, 2011). Our chapter in Emerging Technologies in Distance Education (Ed. George Veletsianos) available at http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120177 may be of interest if you would like to know more the evolution of APTs.

My other program of research relates to health– in particular exemplary nursing care, compassion fatigue, career fulfilment, and using technology to improve care for older adult caregivers. In 2009 I published a research-based e-book on exemplary nursing which is available for free download at http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120158