John Traxler

John Traxler is a Director of the Applied Innovative Digital Technologies Research Group in the School of Computing and IT at the University of Wolverhampton. He also works with the University’s HEFCE-funded Centre of Excellence (CETL) looking at ways of using sustainable innovative technologies to support diverse communities of students and with the University’s Centre for International Development and Training, exploring ways of using appropriate innovative technologies to deliver education in developing countries especially sub Saharan Africa.

John has recently co-written a guide to mobile learning in developing countries for the Commonwealth of Learning and is co-editor of a book on mobile learning which includes 12 international case study chapters (Kukulska-Hulme, A. and Traxler, J. (Eds) (2005) Mobile Learning: A Handbook for Educators and Trainers, Routledge, London). During 2004-5 he worked on the JISC-funded Landscape Study on the use of mobile and wireless technologies for learning and teaching in the post-16 sector; on the evaluation of national pilots for an educational interactive digital TV service and on implementing support for Kenyan teachers’ in-service training using mobile technologies. Forthcoming projects include a national pilot of large-scale educational messaging using SMS text funded by JISC, collaborative learning based around Bluetooth hubs and educational podcasting to enhance dance, drama and music courses. Other current projects include e-portfolios for mobiles and SMS-enabled low-bandwidth virtual learning environment (VLE) development for rural areas.

His recent research and publication interests include the ethics and techniques of evaluating innovative technology supported learning; mobile learning and social inclusion; factors affecting the nature and extent of lecturer take up of VLEs, the use of "contrived" techniques in evaluation and the diffusion of learning technology innovations within educational organisations.
Before entering higher education John was a literacy and numeracy worker at Brighton Friends Centre and chair of a national organisation for voluntary sector literacy schemes.