Lindy Orwin

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).