Rate My Professor Carolyn Seton

Dr. Carolyn Seton is a Lecturer in Information Technology within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University. She holds a Bachelor of Information Technology, a Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours), and a PhD, all awarded by Southern Cross University. Her doctoral research, detailed in the thesis "Digital division to social inclusion: strategies for 'vulnerable' users facing isolation by the digital divide," focused on enabling older Australians to access technology, resulting in enhancements to their sense of connectedness, health, and well-being. With a professional background in software development and systems analysis, Seton contributes to the IT discipline through teaching and research.

Seton's research specializations include Computer Science Education, Human-Computer Interaction, digital literacy, and diversity and inequity in STEM Education. She is affiliated with the Cognitive Load research group at Southern Cross University, where she applies Cognitive Load Theory principles to teaching complex Information Technology subjects, digital literacy training, and user interface design for older people. Her career highlights encompass championing the Women in Technology program, serving as a role model for female students, and receiving recognition in the 2020 academic promotions for outstanding contributions to IT. Key publications feature "Smart home technology to support older people's quality of life: a longitudinal pilot study" (Aggar et al., 2023), "Applying cognitive load theory to the redesign of a conventional database systems course" (Mason, Seton, & Cooper, 2016), "Factors that predict the acceptance and adoption of smart home technology by seniors in Australia: a structural equation model with longitudinal data" (Sorwar et al., 2023), "Developing a new generation MOOC (ngMOOC): A design-based implementation research project with cognitive architecture and student feedback in mind" (Woolcott et al., 2020), and "Leveling the playing field for international students in IT courses" (Mason & Seton, 2021). These works, part of her 16 research items accumulating 161 citations on ResearchGate, underscore her impact on educational redesign, technology adoption by seniors, and bridging the digital divide.