Our Network
A network of knowledge
The EdTech team recognises the experts and champions of educational technologies that reside in departments across the Otago University and beyond. Together we have created a community of professionals who are dedicated to the enhancement of teaching and learning through the use of educational technologies.
Master Class Community
Ben Varkalis
Senior Teaching Fellow, Department of Geography
Sheena Townsend
Professional Practice Fellow, Department of Zoology
Wendy Isoyama
Teacher, English Language Centre
Tony Garry
Associate Professor, Otago MBA
X.Otago Course Facilitators
Ben Varkalis
Senior Teaching Fellow, Department of Geography
Sheena Townsend
Professional Practice Fellow, Department of Zoology
Jason Roy
Founder & CEO
Jaso Roy
Founder & CEO
Ben Varkalis
Ben facilitates our TELT workshop ‘Using ECHO360 active learning tools in online or in person lectures’ He is a champion of this particular educational technology and has also featured in our ‘What the Tech?’ podcast episode – ‘Taking a 360 look at Echo360’.
Sheena Townsend
Sheena facilitates our TELT Masterclass workshop ‘Versatile Engagement and Feedback with Vevox’
Sheena is an enthusiastic educator with over 25 years of teaching experience in Canada, Japan and Aotearoa New Zealand. She has a background in theatre, TESOL and a PhD in Zoology, and currently teaches and coordinates papers in Zoology at the University of Otago, while also pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education. She is interested in engagement, transformational learning, feedback literacy and learning technology.
Master Class Community
Ben Varkalis
Senior Teaching Fellow, Department of Geography
Sheena Townsend
Professional Practice Fellow, Department of Zoology
Jason Roy
Founder & CEO
Jaso Roy
Founder & CEO
Ben Varkalis
Ben facilitates our TELT workshop ‘Using ECHO360 active learning tools in online or in person lectures’ He is a champion of this particular educational technology and has also featured in our ‘What the Tech?’ podcast episode – ‘Taking a 360 look at Echo360’.
Sheena Townsend
Sheena facilitates our TELT Masterclass workshop ‘Versatile Engagement and Feedback with Vevox’
Sheena is an enthusiastic educator with over 25 years of teaching experience in Canada, Japan and Aotearoa New Zealand. She has a background in theatre, TESOL and a PhD in Zoology, and currently teaches and coordinates papers in Zoology at the University of Otago, while also pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education. She is interested in engagement, transformational learning, feedback literacy and learning technology.