Dr. Heather J. S. Birch
Title & Contact Info
Director of the Bachelor of Education Program
Associate Professor of Education
Email: hbirch [at] tyndale.ca
Phone: 416.226.6620 ext. 2258
Academic Credentials
PhD, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
MA, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, 2013
BEd, University of Windsor, 1997
BA, University of Waterloo, 1995
BRS, Ontario Bible College, 1993
ARCT, Royal Conservatory of Music, Piano Performance, 1993
Areas of Specialization
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Arts Education
Biography
Heather was an elementary teacher for ten years, specializing in the music, drama, dance, and visual arts curricula. She taught graduate level courses in arts pedagogy and technology integration at OISE and undergraduate courses in keyboard harmony at Brock University. Her doctoral research involved the development of a mobile application and explored the philosophy, theory, and practice of music teaching and learning within socioculturally-situated, online affinity spaces. She is interested in knowledge media design, games for learning, and inclusive teacher education. Heather has a husband, four children, and a pug, and enjoys listening to audiobooks, leading worship, and looking for bargains at Winners.
Faculty Publications
- Diverse Stakeholders on Educational Technology Development Teams: Supporting Software Developers and Children (2023) (Article)
- Understanding Motivational Differences through the Lens of Gamification User Types (2023) (Article)
- Using a Mobile App to Create Relevant and Participatory Music Learning Spaces (2023) (Article)
- Canadian Students Should Have an Informed Personal Stance on Their National Anthem, “O Canada” (2022) (Article)
- Teacher Education at Tyndale: Faith-Based, Privately-Funded, Publicly Accountable (2022) (Chapter)
- Music Learning in an Online Affinity Space: Using a Mobile Application to Create Interactions During Independent Musical Instrument Practice (2018) (Dissertation or Thesis)
- Potential of SoundCloud for mobile learning in music education: A pilot study (2017) (Article)
- Technical Exercise Practice: Can Piano Students be Motivated by Gamification? (2017) (Article)
- Feedback in Online Writing Communities: Effects on Adolescent Writers (2016) (Article)
- Rise of the Rhythm: Using gaming elements to engage and motivate music students (2014) (Article)