FACULTY

Jim Hewitt (Ph.D., University of Toronto)
Associate Professor

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
11-CTL, 252 Bloor Street West
Toronto Ontario M5S 1V6.

Phone: 416-923-6641 x2483
Fax: 416-926-4725
Email: jhewitt@oise.utoronto.ca
Website: fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~jhewitt/

Biography

Jim Hewitt's research focuses on the educational applications of online technologies, with an emphasis on discursive processes in collaborative learning communities. Dr. Hewitt's recent refereed publications include studies of the structure and development of discussion threads in asynchronous distance education courses, sociocultural and technological supports for computer-based knowledge building in elementary classrooms, preservice teacher development through virtual classroom visitations, the nature of online community, and strategies for the use of multimedia case studies in teacher education.  He is the recipient of a three-year grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to study the use of telementoring technologies in teacher education. He  is also a co-applicant on a recently awarded, five-year, Initiative on the New Economy grant to study new knowledge building technologies.  Through these and other research endeavours, Dr. Hewitt hopes to discover new ways that computers and the Internet can support teachers in their efforts to provide students with rich and rewarding educational experiences.