This document discusses the benefits of using theory in research on developing digitally capable professionals. It presents findings from interviews with engineering and management professionals about their use of digital technologies. By applying the theoretical framework of "signature pedagogies", the researcher was able to better interpret the data and identify distinct digital capabilities for each profession. This included open-ended design projects for engineering and digital tools to connect theory and practice for management. The use of theory illuminated the areas studied, made linking data easier, and allowed for a novel conceptual framework and contribution to the research gap.

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‘One stitch in time, saves nine’:
illustrating the helpfulness of theory in
learning technology research
through a doctoral study
ALT Conference, 3-5 Sept 2019
Tünde Varga-Atkins

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Selwyn’s (2012)
10 suggestions for improving academic research
in education and technology

3. #8 …make good use of theory when and where
it is helpful
#9 …be open-minded and curious when it
comes to methodology – be rigorous and
appropriate when it comes to methods

4. #8 …make good use of theory when and
where it is helpful

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Without theory

6. curriculum
professional
practice
students
staffemployers
students
staff employers
RQ: How can we develop a digitally capable
professional in X*?
* Engineering / management

7. “…capabilities
which fit
someone for
living, learning
and working in
a digital
society” (JISC)
Digital
capabilities

8. Interview questions – without theory:
● “What technologies do you use when studying
for/working in X?”
● “How do you use these technologies?”
● Are there any gaps … [curriculum vs workplace]?

9. Digital capabilities: engineers
Digital
problem-solving
Digital
collaboration /
communication
Info-/data- and
media literacy
3D- CAD
Video-
conferencing
File-sharing
Simulation,
modelling
WhatsApp
Word, PPT
Excel
Matlab
Assembly
BIM
Google
databases
*abridged

10. Digital capabilities: managers
*abridged
Info/data/media
literacy
ICT proficiency
digital communication
Marketing:
social media
Excel
ppt
Google slides
digital communication
Slack
VLE
lecture capture
mind mapping tools
email
disciplinary
software
LinkedIn
Twitter
Word

11. Resulting ‘Data’
● Mapping, description, themes and example quotes
BUT:
● How do you make sense of this – what does it mean?
● Do/Can I say anything new? [‘contribution to research’]

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With theory

13. curriculum
professional
practice
students
staffemployers
students
staff employers
digital
capabilities
practice
How can we develop a digitally capable
professional in X?

14. curriculum
professional
practice
students
staffemployers
students
staff employerssignature
pedagogies
theory
digital
capabilities
practice
How can we develop a digitally capable
professional in X?
Conceptual framework

15. Theoretical perspective: signature pedagogies
“the types of teaching that organize
the fundamental ways in which
future practitioners are educated
for their new professions”
(Shulman, 2005, p. 52).

16. Interview questions - revisited
● “What are the characteristics of a good X (student)?”
● “What do you think are distinct teaching methods in
X?”
● “Can you recall any significant digital development that
has transformed or disrupted the field of X in recent
years?” (Sinclair, 2013)

17. Signature pedagogies: engineering
creative problem-
solvers
inquisitive
curious
for the
human good
science & mathematics
& realisation
collaborative, open-ended
projects from day 1
Implicit
Deep
Surface
global
Overarching
signature
pedagogy:
CDIO

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19. #9 …be open-minded and curious when it
comes to methodology – be rigorous and
appropriate when it comes to methods

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22. Engineering: signature digital capabilities
• Open-ended, collaborative design projects, day 1
• ‘We simulate and model with graphs’
• Engineers as ‘public-good’ innovators of technology

23. Management: signature digital capabilities
• Digitally mediated CAIC: Collect – Analyse –
Interpret – Communicate (IBL ~ ‘sweet spot’
for digital capabilities, Bruce and Casey 2012)
• Technologies to connect theory & practice
e.g. simulations, games
• Marketing: ‘everybody is a consumer’: self-
reflexivity and social media (1-2-3)

24. Management
Signature digital capabilities
Engineering
digital
problem-
solving
Info/data/
media
literacy
digital
collaboration
Info/data/
media
literacy
ICT
proficiency
digital
communication

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26. Benefit of using theory
● Illuminate area – engineering/management
● Easier to make links and interpret what my data
means!
● Transferable methodology into other areas
● Contribution to research gap
● Conceptual framework itself novel

27. #9 …be open-minded and curious when it
comes to methodology – be rigorous and
appropriate when it comes to methods

28. Poem as data analysis method (Bazeley 2013)
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ISBN 9781849203036

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Conclusion
If your warp is tight,
your weft will fly!

30. Thank you
@tundeva
with acknowledgments to my supervisor Professor Don Passey, Lancaster University,
colleagues at University of Liverpool, Helen Beetham, Professor Rhona Sharpe
(expert interviews) and my participants, and Amy Jackson for colour design.
Questions?