prof. dr. Peter Sloep

After graduating as a (theoretical) biologist (1978) at the Free University of Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit, VU), Peter Sloep completed a PhD in theoretical biology at the State University of Groningen, Netherlands (1983). After post-docs at Arizona State University (USA), the University of Guelph (Canada) and the University of Groningen, he became assistent professor, later associate professor at the Science Faculty of the Open University of the Netherlands (OUNL) in 1986. While working there, he spent a year as a Research Fellow at the University of Bielefeld's Zentrum für Interdiziplinärforschung working on a project that sought the bridge the gap between the social and biological sciences. In 1999 he switched departments at the OUNL and became assistent professor at the Educational Expertise Centre (OTEC). From 2003 to 2007 Sloep also fulfilled a part-time position of associate professor ('lector') in Educational Functions of ICT at the Fontys University of Applied Sciences, where he led a research group ('kenniskring") which investigated the use and application of ICT for learning at the secondary school level. In 2008, he became full professor in Technology Enhanced Learning at OTEC, OUNL, and programme director of its R&D programme on Learning Networks. In addition to this, he heads one of the programme lines of the OUNL's laboratory for lifelong Learning (NeLLL).

During his stay at the Open University, Sloep has worked for about 10 years as a developer of distance teaching courses, mainly in the areas of biology and its theoretical underpinnings, writing and editing courses on such diverse subjects as Evolutionary Biology, Mathematical Models for the Life Sciences, Understanding Scientific Reasoning, and Environmental Policy. Over the years his work ever more turned towards matters educational. Examples of educational innovation projects he was involved in are a project sponsored by one of the early European Framework programmes on erecting a network of European Study centres for distance learning, and the Virtual Company - a simulated company in which groups of students carry out authentic assignments. This prompted his move to the then research and development programme of the OUNL's Educational Expertise Centre (OTEC). This programme is still reknown for its development of the Educational Modelling Language EML, which underlies the IMS Learning Design specification. Since the beginning of 2008, Sloep coordinates this programme, which has changed both name (R & D on Learning Networks) and focus. It has received several research funds, such as for the EU-funded STREPs idSpace on distributed, collaborative product innovation and LTfLL on language technologies for lifelong learning. See CELSTEC.org for details.

The programme conceives of Learning Networks as online social networks that have been designed with the intent to blend non-formal learning and deliberate instruction in degrees that suit de learner's needs best. Learning Networks are designed. They could be built from scratch, could make use of a blend of existing social software tools only, or could be designed as a mix of existing and custom-made social software tools. Learning Network research focusses on learning, on professional development and innovation enhancement. Of particular interest are the social affordances and their technical implementation in services that make learning in such environments effective, efficient, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable.

From its inception in 2001, Sloep has chaired the Technical Committee Learning Technology of the Dutch Standards Organisation (NEN), from which he stepped down in April 2011, after completing a 10 year stint. As of June 2010 he became Honorary Professor, at the Caledonian Academy of Glasgow Caledonion University, in which capacity he chairs the Caledonian Academy Reference Group, after having served as a member for 3 years. He serves on the Editorial Board of ALT-J, on the Consulting Board of Computers in Human Behaviour, frequently reviews papers for various other journals and conferences in the e-learning field, and has reviewed proposals for the Canadian, US and Dutch research bodies. He supervises several doctoral students.