Hi, I’m Bret.

I start as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies at Florida State University in August 2021.

My research investigates networked learning in online communities. I explore this area in four ways. First, I study informal learning environments such as those supported by social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit. Second, I examine the identity-agency needed to navigate these environments, especially during disruptions and transitions. Third, I write about and seek greater understanding of technoethical issues raised by seeking professional learning in social networks. Fourth, and finally, I am interested in data science applications for educational research, such as the principles of open science, data mining of digital traces, social network analysis, and learning analytics.

• I have authored 14 peer-reviewed academic journal articles, 6 edited book chapters, and 42 conference presentations.
• I developed the {tidytags} package for the statistical programming language R to assist other researchers in collecting and analyzing Twitter data.
• I deliver professional development workshops on using R for data science in educational research.
• I currently serve as the Communications Officer for the Research & Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) and the Executive Coach for Black in Gaming.

I hold a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Educational Technology, a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, and a Graduate Certificate in Serious Game Design and Research from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and sociology from Bucknell University.

I consider my strongest credential to be my ongoing friendship with my very first online friend, who I met in an AOL chatroom in the early 1990s.

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CV (web) | CV (PDF) | research agenda | teaching philosophy | diversity beliefs

Professional Affiliations

Association for Educational Communications & Technology | AECT
Research & Theory Division

American Educational Research Association | AERA
Technology as an Agent of Change in Teaching & Learning (TACTL) SIG
Division C – Learning & Instruction

Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education | SITE
Social Media SIG