Who we are
Our altLAB expertise is dedicated to changing the way we work and learn. We provide colleagues with a range of services to enhance educational practice. We answer questions, form solutions, innovate and transform learning and teaching.

Although we work with staff, what we do is ultimately for our students. They are at the centre of all of our big decisions.
Associate Professor Ben Kehrwald, Director of Professional Learning/ Head of altLAB
Associate Professor Ben Kehrwald, Director of Professional Learning/ Head of altLAB

Develop, Review & Improve Administrative Systems, Policies & Procedures
Roelien Du Plessis, Executive Assistant
Roelien Du Plessis, Executive Assistant

I support continuous improvement of learning and assessment design, working in partnership with others to find solutions that are practical, creative and pedagogically-informed.
Cath Delaporte, Senior Learning Designer
Cath Delaporte, Senior Learning Designer

At the heart of effective technology integration, technology offers opportunities to be more actively involved in the learning experience.
Benny Liu, Learning Technology Support
Benny Liu, Learning Technology Support

My philosophy to education is Whakamana – Empower learners
Dr Nhung Nguyen, Senior Learning Designer
Dr Nhung Nguyen, Senior Learning Designer

I am passionate about the ways digital and emerging technologies can address inequity, augment and extend the learning and teaching experience, and enhance educational outcomes for all learners.
Jamie Denton, Senior Learning Designer
Jamie Denton, Senior Learning Designer

He iti nei, iti nei. Small acts of manaaki welcomes and grows te Tiriti honouring practices.
Piki Diamond, Learning & Teaching Consultant
Piki Diamond, Learning & Teaching Consultant

I enjoy empowering colleagues with creative methods to support their teaching.
Melissa Gordon , Digital Media Designer
Melissa Gordon , Digital Media Designer

I believe learning never end as it is the way to success
Nadia Ahmed, Learning Technology Support
Nadia Ahmed, Learning Technology Support

I enjoy working with staff and enabling them achieve better learning experience and outcome for their students.
Sally Eberhard, Senior Learning Designer
Sally Eberhard, Senior Learning Designer

There are so many unique ways to use video pedagogically. I take pride in giving you the confidence to try them
Tom Hood, Digital Media Support
Tom Hood, Digital Media Support

Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave
Sindhya Chand, Learning Technologies Support
Sindhya Chand, Learning Technologies Support

I enjoy working alongside colleagues across AUT, leveraging technology, to enhance learning and teaching capabilities.
Shen Zhang, Learning Technologies Team Co-Ordinator
Shen Zhang, Learning Technologies Team
Co-Ordinator

Teaching – It’s about Inspiration, Not Information
Victorio Burcio-Martin, Digital Media Team Leader
Victorio Burcio-Martin, Digital Media Team Leader

As a learning designer, I am passionate about integrating innovative technologies and authentic pedagogical practices to foster positive and inclusive communities of inquiry.
Gabrielle Piggin , Senior Learning Designer
Gabrielle Piggin , Senior Learning Designer

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself
Dr Kwong Nui Sim, Senior Lecturer/Learning & Teaching Consultant
Dr Kwong Nui Sim, Senior Lecturer/Learning & Teaching Consultant

Helping to create engaging learning experiences through collaboration, reflection and design.
Dr John Davies, Learning and Teaching Advisor, Learning Design Lead
Dr John Davies, Learning and Teaching Advisor, Learning Design Lead

I enjoy learning and being a designer of learning experiences. I work alongside teaching staff to achieve a significant kind of learning for our students.
Nawal Chanane, Learning Designer
Nawal Chanane, Learning Designer

Fascinated by the rapid rate of adoption of new technologies and the flexibility of their application to teaching practice, and the benefits for staff and students.
Lisa Ransom , Learning Technology Support
Lisa Ransom , Learning Technology Support

A great learning outcome is from creative thinking with passion in education.
Jin Hong, Multimedia/Video Team Leader
Jin Hong, Multimedia/Video Team Leader

I enjoy the ability to develop complex and engaging apps that enhance the learning experience.
Taylor Pringle, Digital Media Developer
Taylor Pringle, Digital Media Developer
Direction
Our culture of open-mindedness, curiosity, critical thinking and collegiality, helps us tackle wicked problems in higher education. Our work seeks to create exceptional learning experiences for all AUT students and support our mission of Great Graduates. We work in close collaboration with faculties and service divisions, to promote an evidence-based approach to educational practice, within the wider AUT community.

Associate Professor Ben Kehrwald
Director of Professional Learning/ Head of altLAB
Technology-enhanced learning
Learning design
Curriculum and Pedagogy

Roelien Du Plessis
Executive Assistant
Planning & Organising
Problem Solving
Analysis & Assessment
Academic Consultancy
Our academic advisers, teaching consultants and learning designers support colleagues in aligning strategy to practice to shape and provide exceptional learning experiences. Our expertise lies in educational design and development, research and scholarship in teaching, curriculum mapping, learning design, digital learning, integrating biculturalism into the curriculum, contemporary approaches to assessment and feedback, flexible learning and integrated academic practice. We provide ongoing personalized support and a suite of required and elective professional learning programmes for AUT colleagues.

Dr Nell Buissink
Academic Practice Lead
Professional learning leadership
Academic practice development and support
Embedding university strategy in curriculum design
Research and scholarship in higher education

Dr John Davies
Learning and Teaching Advisor, Learning Design Lead
Approaches to Learning design
Professional learning and professional recognition
Research and scholarship in teaching

Nawal Chanane
Learning Designer
Approaches to learning design
Online assessment and feedback
Designing engaging online spaces

Cath Delaporte
Senior Learning Designer
Assessment feedback and design
Designing engaging online spaces
The Treaty in teaching

Jamie Denton
Senior Learning Designer
Blended learning design
Classroom practice
Designing engaging online spaces

Piki Diamond
Learning & Teaching Consultant
The Treaty in teaching
Professional learning and professional recognition
Classroom practice

Sally Eberhard
Senior Learning Designer
Assessment feedback and design
Blended learning design
Designing learning outcomes

Dr Nhung Nguyen
Senior Learning Designer
Distant/online courses
Research and Scholarship in teaching
Embedding graduate profiles

Gabrielle Piggin
Senior Learning Designer
Assessment feedback and design
Blended learning design
Designing engaging online spaces

Dr Kwong Nui Sim
Senior Lecturer/Learning & Teaching Consultant
Research and Scholarship in teaching
Peer evaluation and feedback
Classroom practice
Learning Technologists
Our learning technologists support the strategic and operational applications of technology systems. We support colleagues in leveraging technologies to enhance exceptional learning experiences. Our expertise lies in understanding and maintaining the key learning technologies at AUT, including the learning management system (Blackboard), ePortfolio system (Mahara) and other integrated tools. We provide responsive troubleshooting, consultation on technology options and training sessions for individuals or groups.

Shen Zhang
Learning Technologies Team
Co-Ordinator
Online assessment and grade management
Peer evaluation and feedback
ePortfolios (Mahara)

Nadia Ahmed
Learning Technology Support
Blackboard basics

Sindhya Chand
Learning Technology Support
Blackboard basics

Benny Liu
Learning Technology Support
Blackboard advance
ePortfolios (Mahara)
Building interactive content

Lisa Ransom
Learning Technology Support
Blackboard Advanced
Blended Learning design
Designing engaging online spaces

Jawyei Wong
AUTonline Developer
Blackboard basics
ePortfolios (Mahara)
Web development
Educational Media Development and Support
Our educational media developers support exceptional learning experiences through the creation and integration of rich digital media. Our expertise includes graphic design, web design and development, app development, professional video production and lecture capture support. We provide tailored support, educational training and the creation of integrated multimedia, from concept to finished product.

Victorio Burcio-Martin
Digital Media Team Leader
Digital Production
Web Development
App development

Jin Hong
Multimedia/video team leader
Evaluation and advice on emerging learning technologies
Multimedia solutions for learning development
Video content management

Melissa Gordon
Digital Media Designer
Graphic design
UI/UX
Illustration

Tom Hood
Digital Media Support
Lecture capture and livestreaming
Video production
Recording studio facilities

Reza Mohammad Yari
Digital Media Developer
Video production for high-end quality requirement
Video content management
Lecture capture and Live streaming

Taylor Pringle
Digital Media Developer
App development
Web development
UI/UX