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  • Associate Professor, Associate Dean (Research) - Nicola Johnson

    Associate Professor, Associate Dean (Research) - Nicola Johnson

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Associate Professor Nicola Johnson

Associate Professor

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 3909
Mobile: 0402 680 883
Email: nf.johnson@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO8.319  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7875-3027

Nicola is an Associate Professor of Digital Technologies in the School of Education.

Current teaching

  • EEDL1240 - Introduction to teaching
  • TCH6050 - Primary technologies
  • TPA6130 - Teaching performance assessment

Background

Nicola researches the intersections of sociology, technology and education within both social and formal settings. Her previous leadership roles in teacher education include being Deputy Head, School of Education at Federation University, and the Associate Dean (Research) in the School of Education at ECU.

Nicola is known as a successful and supportive supervisor enabling the completion of five masters by research and 16 PhD students since beginning as an academic in 2007. With fellow researchers, Nicola has obtained almost $1 million AUD of external competitive funding during her career.

Books that Nicola has authored include The multiplicities of internet addiction (2009), Publishing from your PhD (2011), Everyday schooling in the digital age: High school, high tech? (with Selwyn, Nemorin & Bulfin, 2018). Nicola has also co-edited Educational researchers and the regional university (with Green & Plowright, 2019), Critical perspectives on technology and education (with Bulfin & Bigum, 2015) and Children’s images of identity (with Brown, 2015). Nicola has contributed to notable teacher education textbooks, namely, Teaching: Making a Difference (John Wiley & Sons), Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences (Cengage), and Teaching and Digital Technologies: Big Issues and Critical Questions (Cambridge University Press).

Professional associations

  • 2023 -  Member, Western Australian Institute for Educational Research
  • 2019 – present, Chair, Roseworth Primary School Board
  • 2016 - 2021 -  Editorial Review Board member for the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education

Awards and recognition

University and National Research Awards

  • 2024 - Top Downloaded Article for the duration of 1/1/22 – 31/12/22, Children & Society, Wiley Publishing (Positive family relationships in a digital age: Hearing the voice of young people).
  • 2023 - Winner, Best in Broadcast Media Award, Edith Cowan University
  • 2021 - Winner, Engagement Australia Excellence Awards in the category of Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact. Citation: ‘Better Beginnings’: The development and impact of a State library and University partnership on a family literacy program
  • 2014 - Best Paper Award: Redefining Education Strand, Australian Computers in Education Conference (ACEC). “Ethics of Teaching with Social Media” By Michael Henderson, Glenn Auld and Nicola Johnson, 2014.

Research areas and interests

  • Cyber Security Education, curriculum, skills and taxonomies
  • The sociology of digital technologies in education
  • Temporalities
  • Critical theories
  • Internet addiction.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin University, 2008.

Research Outputs

2025

Book Chapters

  • Griffin, A., Johnson, N. (2025). Cyber security in Australian higher education curricula: The SFIA framework. Psybersecurity: Human factors of cyber defence (73-89). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032664859-4.

Journal Articles

  • Milford, S., Vernon, L., Scott, J., Johnson, N. (2025). Exploring parent self-efficacy in children's digital device use: Understanding shame and self-stigma through a mixed-methods approach. International Journal of Child Computer Interaction, 43(March), Article number 100718. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2024.100718.

2024

Book Chapters

  • Sikos, L., McKee, M., Ibrahim, A., Johnson, N. (2024). Human skills and sociocultural impacts of K-12 cyber security education. Psybersecurity: Human Factors of Cyber Defence (183-201). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032664859-8.

Journal Articles

  • Ibrahim, A., McKee, M., Sikos, L., Johnson, N. (2024). A Systematic Review of K-12 Cybersecurity Education Around the World. IEEE Access, 12(2024), 59726 - 59738. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3393425.
  • Milford, S., Vernon, L., Scott, J., Johnson, N. (2024). Parent Self-Efficacy and Its Relationship with Children’s Screen Viewing: A Scoping Review. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2024(2024), article number 8885498. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8885498.
  • Beseler, B., Plumb, MS., Spittle, M., Johnson, N., Harvey, JT., Mesagno, C. (2024). Examining Single Session Peer-Teaching Instructional Approaches on Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers’ Throwing Techniques. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 131(1), 246-266. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125231214126.
  • Bui, TH., Johnson, N. (2024). Self-regulation and metacognition in a flipped classroom: EFL students’ perspectives at a Vietnamese university. Issues in Educational Research, 34(1), 19-36.
  • Boston, J., Johnson, N. (2024). The benefits of a literacy and numeracy service-learning program for pre-service teachers: A partnership approach. Issues in Educational Research, 34(2), 419-435. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/5781.
  • Hill, S., Barratt-Pugh, C., Johnson, N., Barblett, L. (2024). Receptiveness of the Kindytxt Universal Early Literacy Texting Program by Parents from Low, Medium, and High Socioeconomic Communities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 2024(Article in press), 15 pages. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01788-5.
  • Barratt-Pugh, C., Hill, S., Johnson, N., Barblett, L., Parker, A. (2024). Designing and Implementing a Family Literacy Program Through Smartphones: How Does Recruitment Method Influence Uptake and Attrition?. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52(2), 345-356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01433-z.

Reports

  • Johnson, N., Sikos, L., Ibrahim, A., McKee, M. (2024). National Cyber Security Licence Consultation Report. Joondalup. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/s470-wm37.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Hoang, D., McAlinden, M., Johnson, N. (2023). Extending a learning ecology with virtual reality mobile technology: oral proficiency outcomes and students’ perceptions. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 17(3), 491-504. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2022.2070626.
  • Hoang, D., Johnson, N., McAlinden, M. (2023). EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF VR IN ENHANCING AUTHENTIC LEARNING FOR EFL TERTIARY STUDENTS IN VIETNAM. Teaching English with Technology (TEwT), 23(1), 22 pages. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.56297/BKAM1691/AMZJ7070.

Reports

  • Johnson, N., Ibrahim, A., Sikos, L., McKee, M. (2023). Going beyond: Cyber security curriculum in Western Australian primary and secondary schools. Final Report. Joondalup. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/41ZN-5R55.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Hoang, D., Johnson, N., McAlinden, M. (2022). Students’ Perceptions and Real-Life Use of Mobile Technologies in EFL Learning. Computer Assisted Language Learning: an international journal, 23(3), 186-206. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/1429.
  • Le, TN., Johnson, N. (2022). Supporting and managing EFL students’ online learning in Vietnamese blended learning environments. Issues in Educational Research, 32(3), 1001-1019. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/1301.
  • Milford, S., Vernon, L., Scott, J., Johnson, N. (2022). An Initial Investigation into Parental Perceptions Surrounding the Impact of Mobile Media Use on Child Behavior and Executive Functioning. Human Behaviour and Emerging Technologies, 2022(16 March 2022), Article number 1691382. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1691382.
  • Le, TN., Allen, B., Johnson, N. (2022). Blended learning: Barriers and drawbacks for English language lecturers at Vietnamese universities. E-Learning and Digital Media, 19(2), 225-239. https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530211048235.
  • Beseler, B., Mesagno, C., Spittle, M., Johnson, N., Harvey, J., Talpey, S., Plumb, MS. (2022). Validation of a Follow-Through Developmental Sequence for the Overarm Throw for Force in University Students. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 10(2), 309-327. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2022-0010.
  • Johnson, N., Francis, Z. (2022). Positive family relationships in a digital age: Hearing the voice of young people. Children and Society: the international journal of childhood and children's services, 36(5), 933-948. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12548 .

Reports

  • Barblett, L., Johnson, N., Barratt-Pugh, C., Hill, S. (2022). Kindytxt: A free text messaging program for kindergarten children and families. Joondalup. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.25958/j3nx-4472.
  • Hoang, D., Johnson, N. (2022). Students’ wellbeing during the primary-secondary school transition and transition practices – A literature review. Mount Lawley. Edith Cowan University.
  • Johnson, N., Ibrahim, A., Sikos, L., Glowrey, C. (2022). Cyber security curriculum in Western Australian primary and secondary schools: Interim report: Curriculum Mapping. Mt Lawley. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/x9r3-d254.

2021

Journal Articles

Conference Publications

  • Griffin, A., Johnson, N., Valli, C., Vernon, L. (2021). The impact of Twenty-first century skills and computing cognition cyber skills on graduates’ work readiness in cyber security. Advances in Security, Networks, and Internet of Things (213-221). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71017-0_15.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Johnson, N. (2020). Temporal digital control: Theorizing the use of digital technologies to provide a temporal automonous space. Time and Society, 29(3), 794-812. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961463X19886739.
  • Selwyn, N., Nemorin, S., Bulfin, S., Johnson, N. (2020). The ‘obvious’ stuff: Exploring the mundane realities of students’ digital technology use in school. Digital Education Review, 37(June 2020), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1344/der.2020.37.1-14.

Conference Publications

  • Kodai Ramsoonder, N., Kinnoo, S., Griffin, A., Valli, C., Johnson, N. (2020). Optimizing Cyber Security Education: Implementation of Bloom’s Taxonomy for future Cyber Security workforce. Proceedings of the 2020 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (93-98). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/CSCI51800.2020.00023.

2019

Book Chapters

  • Johnson, N. (2019). Transforming hopes and visions for 'at-risk' primary students in East Gippsland: A community-school partnership. Educational Researchers and the Regional University (57-74). Springer. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/6623.
  • Plowright, S., Green, M., Johnson, N. (2019). Agents of Regional-Global Transformation: Federation University Gippsland Education (FUGuE) Researchers. Educational Researchers and the Regional University: Agents of Regional-Global Transformations (1-19). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6378-8_1.

Journal Articles

2018

Books

2017

Book Chapters

  • Selwyn, N., Nemorin, S., Bulfin, S., Johnson, N. (2017). Toward a digital sociology of school. Digital sociologies (147-162). Policy Press.

Journal Articles

Reports

  • Johnson, N., Plunkett, M., Fletcher, A., Glowrey, C., Holcombe, W. (2017). Final Report: Evaluation of Lakes Entrance School and Community Hub (LESCH). Australia. Smith Family.

2016

Journal Articles

  • Bulfin, S., Johnson, N., Nemorin, S., Selwyn, N. (2016). Nagging, noobs and new tricks - students' perceptions of school as a context for digital technology use. Educational Studies, 42(3), 239-251. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2016.1160824.

Conference Publications

  • Plowright, S., Glowrey, C., Green, M., Fletcher, A., Harrison, D., Plunkett, M., Emmett, S., Johnson, N. (2016). Reimagining and transforming identity as researchers and educators: A (con)textual fugue. AARE Conference Proceedings (20p.). AARE.

Reports

  • Hoang, D., Johnson, N. (2016). Students’ wellbeing during the primarysecondary school transition and transition practices - A literature review. Australia. Australian Communications Consumer Action Network. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/1647.
  • Selwyn, N., Johnson, N., Nemorin, S., Knight, E. (2016). Going online on behalf of others An investigation of ‘proxy’ internet consumers. Australia. Australian Communications Consumer Action Network.
  • Johnson, N. (2016). Investigatingtheatriskpilotprogram for primary students in East Gippsland. Australia. Schools Focused Youth Service in association with Gippsland Lakes Community Health.

2015

Book Chapters

  • Johnson, N. (2015). The past is in the present: Images of New Zealand Maori identity. Children's images of identity: Drawing the self and the other (89-102). Sense Publishers.
  • Johnson, N. (2015). The work of theory in ed-tech research. Critical perspectives on technology and education (35-50). Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Auld, G., Johnson, N. (2015). Teaching the 'other': Curriculum 'outcomes' and digital technology in the out-of-school lives of young people. Critical perspectives on technology and education (163-182). Palgrave Macmillan.

Journal Articles

  • Johnson, N. (2015). Arguing the need for qualitative exploration in the field of emerging digital pathologies. Studia Psychologica, 15(2), 123-137.

2014

Journal Articles

  • Auld, G., Johnson, N. (2014). Connecting literacy learning outside of school to the Australian Curriculum in the middle years.. Literacy Learning: The Middle Years, 22(2), 22-27.
  • Johnson, N. (2014). Symbolic instruments and the Internet mediation of knowledge and expertise. Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, 28(3), 371-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2014.893986.
  • Bulfin, S., Henderson, M., Johnson, N., Selwyn, N. (2014). Methodological capacity within the field of “educational technology” research: an initial investigation. British Journal of Educational Technology, 45(3), 403-414. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12145.

Conference Publications

  • Henderson, M., Auld, G., Johnson, N. (2014). Ethics of teaching with social media.

2013

Journal Articles

2009

Books

  • Johnson, N. (2009). The multiplicities of Internet addiction: The misrecognition of leisure and learning. Ashgate Publishing Limited.

Research Projects

  • Physiological indicators of stress during Cybersecurity work, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Cyber Security Research Centre PhD Scholarship, 2020 ‑ 2024, $180,000.
  • Cybersecurity curriculum in WA primary and secondary schools, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Grant, 2022 ‑ 2024, $170,210.
  • Cybersecurity education in Australia - does it meet the mark?, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Cyber Security Research Centre PhD Scholarship, 2020 ‑ 2024, $198,500.
  • Improving parental engagement in children's learning and school readiness through a literacy-based text messaging program. , Ian Potter Foundation, Grant, 2019 ‑ 2023, $209,000.
  • School transition research, Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2022, $20,000.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Education, Exploring Lived Experiences in Design and Technology Initial Teacher Education: A Phenomenological Analysis of Rapid Prototyping.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, “It could be exciting”: Factors affecting virtual reality implementation in secondary education
  • Master of Education, Investigating Self-Efficacy: Examining teacher understandings of student self-efficacy and the strategies used, modelled and taught in middle childhood by primary school teachers (grades 3-6) in Western Australia.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Informal Digital Learning of English by Vietnamese EFL Learners from a Cultural Historical Activity Theory Perspective

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Individual and collaborative approaches to critical and creative thinking education: Experiences and perceptions of secondary school teachers and teacher-librarians.

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The use of drama-based simulations to develop pre-service teachers' emotional intelligence
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Psychophysiological Response of Cyber Security Professionals to Cyber Threat/Attack in the Workplace

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Education, Exploring a semi-immersive experiential program and the development of 21st century skills with early adolescent boys
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Design and Technology in Western Australia: Exploring the Journey of Pre-Service Teachers
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Graduates' work readiness? Cybersecurity curriculum in Australian Universities
  • Master by Research: English language instruction online: Co-creating flexible learning environments
  • Doctor of Philosophy: The influence of post-secondary students’ technology use on their epistemological beliefs, conceptions of, and approaches to learning
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Ceding to the ‘Other’: A search for relational teaching praxis
  • Master by Research: Exploring and sharing Australian indigenous narratives
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Indian tertiary education students’ perceptions about Internet use for their learning: A case of Punjabi teacher education students
  • Doctor of Philosophy: A digital moral framework for Australian secondary schools
  • Master by Research: Using a cyber safety blog: Primary school teachers’ perceptions
  • Master by Research: An invitation for growth
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Intersecting fields: Young people, Internet-based practices and education
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Digital Enhancement of Senior Secondary Dance Assessment
  • Doctor of Philosophy, An exploration of virtual reality to facilitate authentic tasks in EFL learning in a Vietnamese tertiary setting

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, EFL undergraduate students' perspectives and experiences of the flipped classroom at a Vietnamese university
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Blended learning in teaching English to Vietnamese university students: From EFL lecturers' perspectives
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Examining the assessment and development of a fundamental motor skill and the efficacy of peer teaching instructional approaches

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Parents' Knowledge, Understanding and Mediation Practices of Digital Device Use Among Children
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Generation 1.5 learners: Using an arts-informed, grounded theory approach to understanding how these students managed their undergraduate studies in a Perth-based, public university in Western Australia over an academic year.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, An Ecological and Transdisciplinary Ethnographic Study of Indonesian TESOL Returnee Lecturer Identity
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Schools, hegemony and children’s agency: A sociological study with children on their schooling experiences
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