Michael is Professor of Digital Futures in the Faculty of Education.

Michael is a world expert in the field of digital education, in particular the effective use of technology in internet enabled teaching and learning. In 2020 Michael was identified by The Australian (23/9/20) as the national Field Leader in Education research. Unique to his profile is that his research spans early childhood, schools, universities and professional learning contexts. This broad perspective has allowed him to broker theories and perspectives relating to digital technologies across what may be seen as impermeable boundaries.

Michael has a continuing interest in all technology enabled learning contexts. However, his current research projects are generally aligned with the three broad fields: assessment and feedback, risk (wellbeing and creativity), and effective teaching and learning with online technologies. In particular, his research in assessment feedback over the last 5 years has had a large impact on research and practice nationally and internationally.

Michael is an experienced leader in research, teaching and technology innovation. For ten years Michael led the Digital Education Research Group (2008-18) which has been providing critical studies in the field for over two decades. In this role he brought together and supported 20 early career and senior researchers to connect, collaborate and disseminate their work – attracting over $2.9 million in 5 years.

Michael continues to work closely with leadership across the university to help guide a wide range of digital initiatives including online delivery, hybrid teaching, online exams and assessment security, and learning analytics.

He is the recipient of ARC Discovery and Linkage grants, as well as other notable research schemes including the Spencer Foundation. Michael served as senior Lead Editor for the international journal Australasian Journal of Educational Technology (AJET) for seven years (2014-20). He is also the co-leader (2016-present) of the UNESCO sponsored EDUsummIT Creativity and Digital Technologies working group.

Michael is an experienced leader in higher education provision. Having served in various strategic roles including Acting Associate Dean of Education and Director of Graduate Studies he has led the creation and redesign of courses as well as student focused initiatives that have improved the quality of teaching, student satisfaction and a strong increase in student numbers. Michael is also an Expert Advisor (2016-present) for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Authority (TEQSA), with a specialist focus in digital online delivery.

Michael has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses on educational technologies and has received teaching awards, including a national Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (2010). Michael has supervised to completion 13 PhD and 3 MEd(Research) students.

Michael also draws on a decade as a secondary school teacher and leader in Australia and the United Kingdom. He provided leadership to the profession by serving for 10 years (2007-17) on the Committee of Management for the Victorian association for teachers of digital technology curriculum (Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria, DLTV). Michael has served as a Technical committee member of the International Federation for Information Processing and as an Executive Committee member for the Australian Association for Educational Research.