Lindy Orwin, PhD. is an award winning, freelance, educational consultant and project manager. Lindy is contracted by government departments, educational institutions, corporations, non-profit organizations and individuals on short and long term projects .
Many of these projects focussed on making use of emerging and online technologies for adult professional learning and students' education. She is a qualitative researcher with experience in Action Research and Design Based Research.
Since 2018 Lindy has been designing and managing environmental projects for a non-profit environmental group for conservation and rehabilitation of the Cooloola Coast region in Queensland.
Special areas of experience include:
Project design, research and management of educational technology and environmental projects.
3D virtual worlds deployment, event management and training in VirBELA , Second Life and OpenSim.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) engagement through the use of citizen science.
The adoption of new and emerging technologies including immersive worlds and games in formal and informal educational settings
Professional development of educators related to the integration of technology into pedagogy (K-12), andragogy (adult learning) and heutagogy (developing and supporting self managed learners).
Action Learning in face-to-face and online modes including teaching others how to facilitate Action Learning based professional development.
Current and recent projects:
Conducting an annual BioBlitz to map the biodiversity of the Cooloola Coast.
Writing a voluntourism strategy for the Cooloola Coast region.
Preparing and managing a multi-stage rehabilitation program for Tin Can Inlet.
Using technology to engage youth and adults in citizen science for Natural Resource Management.
Using remote access technologies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) education.
Using Remote Access Laboratories in education for the University of Southern Queensland, Digital Futures Collaborative Research Network (2012-2015)
Development of a prototype of a STEM themed virtual world for girls for the Edlab Group, Lynnwood, WA., USA. (2011 -2012)
Research project manager of the SPICE Project, using scenario-based educational videos created in Second Life for Social Work and Pharmacy programs in the School of Science and Technology at the University of New England. Australia. (2011 - 2012)
Researching the use of Second Life as a professional learning venue with support from the Queensland State Government, Australia (2005 - 2012).
Action Learning program about using Second Life in educational settings for groups of international participants. (2007 - 2011)
Developing a virtual worlds strategy and managing the virtual worlds assets for the University of Southern Queensland, Australia (2007 - 2011)
Research into the use of virtual worlds for Xerox Research Labs, Rochester, NY (2007 - 2008).