PETER DOUGLAS HOLT

1. Address:

Associate Professor of Cognitive Science
Athabasca University
Box 10000, Athabasca, Alberta T0G 2R0
Ph.: (403) 675-6225
E-mail: holt@cs.athabascau.ca
World Wide Web: http://ccism.pc.athabascau.ca

2. Education:

Ph.D. Cognitive Psychology, University of Alberta, 1982

3. Research Interests:

My interests include the application of computers and other technology in distance education, models of human cognition, planning computer systems, research design, applied statistics, and development of learning materials. Most recently I have become very interested in management models for distance education and managing technological change. My experience in computing, cognitive psychology, and education provide me with a solid background for research into the use of computers in learning.

4. Professional Experience

Since 1988 as the head or Chair of the Centre for Computing Information Systems and Mathematics I have been the prime motivator and manager of the establishment of a B.SC. in Computing and Information Systems (1994), and a Major and a Certificate in Information Systems (1991) at Athabasca University. The degrees were innovative in building upon two year CIPS accredited college programs and I was involved in considerable inter-institutional collaborationin establishing them.

From 1985 to 1988 at Athabasca University as Coordinator of Academic Computing at Athabasca University I had the responsibility of developing and managing Academic Computing Services. The major functions of the Department were academic systems development, computer assisted learning, planning the use of software and hardware in the Academic Units, and course delivery and applications support. During my tenure Academic Computing was instrumental in the University being involved in an industrial-government collaboration in the development of technology in distance education.

5. Practical Experience: Professional Consultant

From 1979 to 1991, I worked for a number of government and private agencies in the areas of systems analyis and design, implementation of learning systems, and evaluation research. Clients included ACCESS Radio, Workers Occupational Health and Safety, Social Services and Community Health, Alberta Hospitals and Medical Care, Alberta Alcohol and Drug Addiction, Pedology Consultants, Astre Pharmaceutical, and Summa Biomedical.

6. University Services

I have served on:

• the Program Review Committee, 1994;
• Programming Planning and Review Committe; 1993,
• Academic Council, 1991;
• University Information Technology Planning Group, 1991;
• Academic Vice President's Advisory Group on Academic Computing Issues, 1991; and
• assorted technology related committees prior to 1991.

7. Publications, Papers, and Symposiums

Refereed Journals

Holt, P. (1990) Intelligent tutoring systems: A review for beginners. Canadian Journal of Educational Communications, 19(1), 2, 107-123.

Refereed Conference Papers and Proceedings

Holt, P. Fontaine, C, Gismondi, J, & Ramsden, D.(1995) Collaborative Learning Using Guided Discovery on the INTERNET. ICCDE95, Singapore, Maylasia.

Holt, P., & Gismondi, J. Implementing Talker Technology. Innovations in Education. 1995, Minot, ND, USA.

Greer, J., McCalla,G, Price, P., Holt, P. Supporting Recursion at a Distance. ED-MEDIA 1994. Vancouver, Canada, 1994.

Non-Refereed Journals

Holt, P. (1990) Intelligent Tutoring Systems in the Real World. Interactivity, 1, 1990.

Presentations and Workshops

Holt, P. and Greer, J. Workshop in AI and Distance Education. AI and Education, 1993, Glasgow.

Holt, P (1992). Education and AI. Invited Lectures, Zigong, China, October, 1992.

Holt, P. (1992) Using Computer Mediated Communications in Distance Education. CML 1992: Reaching New Heights,Jasper, Alberta.

Invited Book Chapters and Bibliographic Surveys

Holt, P., Dubs, Jones, M., and Greer, J. The State of Student Modelling. In J. Greer & G. McCalla (Eds.) Student Modelling: Key to Individualized Instruction 1993 NATO Conference on Student Modelling

Wood, P. & Holt, P. (1990) Intelligent tutoring systems: An annotated bibliography. ACM SIGART Bulletin, 1(1), 21-42.

Selected Reports

Holt, P. (1990) Tools for intelligent tutoring systems: An evaluation of OCAM 3. Computer Science Technical Report # 1 for Softwords.

Papers in Process

Holt, P. and Gismondi, J. Open Learning on the INTERNET - Making the Buzzwords Real. Submitted to 1996 International Conference on the Learning Sciences.

Holt, P. Situated Learning at a Distance. Submitted to CADE, 1996 Conference.

Holt,P. Workshop on Learning on the Net. Memorial University, February, 1996.

8. Honours and Awards

1994, 1992, 1990,1989 -Five different Athabasca Research Committee Awards

1994 - Fund for Learning Systems Innovation

1993 -NSERC three year operating grant for work on AI and Education

1979 - SSHRC Scholarship

1976 - University of Guelph Scholarship

9. Thesis Committees

1992 - External Examiner of M.Sc. Thesis, Computational Science, University of Saskatchewan

1992 - Local Supervisor of PhD Candidate Bradford University, U.K. (Proposal stage)

1991 - External Examiner of M.Sc. Thesis, Computational Science, University of Saskatchewan