D’Arcy Norman has made significant contributions throughout his career at the University of Calgary, particularly in the field of educational technology. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Learning Technologies & Design at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. In this role, D’Arcy leads a team dedicated to discovering and developing technology platforms that enhance student learning, collaborating with instructors and faculty leadership to adopt and support new learning technologies, and overseeing the instructional design group in creating engaging online and face-to-face courses.
Dr. Norman’s academic journey includes a BSc in Zoology, a BEd in Secondary Science, an MSc in Educational Technology, and a PhD in Computational Media Design, all from the University of Calgary. His doctoral research, completed in 2023, focused on the integration of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) through the adaptation of video game research methods.
Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for open education, emphasizing the use of technology to remove barriers and increase access to learning. He is particularly interested in how technology can be leveraged to empower individuals, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing.
His body of work includes a variety of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and seminars, reflecting his deep involvement in the academic community. These contributions span a range of topics, from the design of humanoid robot instructors for industrial tasks to the exploration of online discussions in graduate courses using the Community of Inquiry Framework.
Dr. Norman’s career trajectory at the University of Calgary has seen him evolve from a web and multimedia developer, responsible for creating the first online courses in the Faculty of Nursing, to his current leadership role, where he continues to drive innovation in learning technologies and design.