FD2 - DistancE-Learning in Europe - Exchange of Experience and Knowledge Sharing

Natalie Deininger leads the Media and IT Competence for Training Personnel (MIKA) project at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). The nationwide, cross-sectoral, and cross-learning-location MIKA training programs are designed for vocational education and training (VET) personnel and aim to strengthen their digital and media-pedagogical competencies for everyday training practice. The standardized training programs are delivered nationwide by nearly 150 specially trained instructors across 98 cooperating educational institutions, companies, and public authorities.

In addition to her work on the professional development of VET personnel, Natalie Deininger focuses on the sustainability and further development of the digital MIKA learning ecosystem. She is also pursuing a doctoral degree.

Brian Mulligan is a leading expert in learning technologies, with a career spanning three decades in shaping digital education in Ireland. As the founder of the Irish Learning Technology Association in 2002, he has played a pivotal role in advancing the field. At Atlantic Technological University, he spearheaded the development of online distance learning, driving innovation in accessible education. Now a consultant with Universal Learning Systems (ulsystems.com), Brian specialises in the strategic application of learning technologies to transform education and expand opportunities for learners worldwide.

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Dr. Sebastian Anselmann is a researcher, project staff, and higher education lecturer specialized in vocational education and training (VET), workplace learning, and the digital transformation of professional education systems. Currently, he serves as Research Associate at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), where he is part of the MIKA Team, working to standardize and promote media and IT competences among training personnel nationwide and across all industries.

His academic work combines empirical educational research with practical implementation. He focuses on how complex learning environments can be designed to strengthen professional competence, cooperation between learning venues, and sustainable innovation in vocational training.

Passionate about developing people John has experience of working as Managing Director for global companies as well as the non profit sector. He is the co founder of Elearn a UK blended learning training company specialising in Leadership, Management and Coaching.

Currently working on a number of coaching assignments and senior level leadership development programmes John specialises in blended and distance learning approaches using a mix of media.

He is President of the European Association for Distance Learning and has research interests in using technology to innovate and support learning.

Oliver Nahm leads the project “Learning Analytics – Distance Learning” at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), which aims to assess the importance of Learning Analytics for vocational distance learning courses, as well as further its implementation.

He has worked as a teacher and trainer for many years, designing and teaching courses both on- and offline. His focus is on a holistic and flexible approach to education, utilizing data, while keeping the focus on the human element.

Ellen Gunning created Irish Academy of Public Relations in 1992. The college provides internationally recognised online professional diploma courses, modular self-learning CPD courses and corporate training in communications disciplines. Ellen is author of three books, including the global third-level core text “Public Relations – A Practical Approach”. She specialises in Crisis PR training and consultancy. Her other business, Mettacomms, is an AI powered platform offering sight of future trends in multiple disciplines. A member of the board of EADL, the European Association for Distance Learning, Ellen’s panel contribution spans both communications and future-vision inputs.

Since the end of 1995, Wilfred Rubens has been professionally engaged in the use of digital technology to facilitate and enhance learning, training, development and education. Since 1 March 2015 he works as an independent consultant and project leader. He is project leader of the implementation of learning technologies. Wilfred Rubens is involved in designing online and blended learning programs (various formats). He consults on the pedagogical use of learning technologies. Furthermore, he supports strategy development and he facilitates professional development and technology enhanced learning. In addition, Wilfred blogs almost daily about 'technology enhanced learning' . He is the (co-)author of three books and various articles/chapters in this field. Wilfred is also a member of the advisory board of the OEB (in Berlin) and of Next Learning. He is a voluntary editorial board member of e-learning.nl

Jens Greefe is the Director of Studies at Klett OWB, Klett Online Weiterbildung GmbH & Co. KG in Hamburg. Klett OWB, together with its subsidiaries ILS, SGD, Fernakademie für Erwachsenenbildung, and Schule des Schreibens, teaches approximately 90,000 participants annually in more than 300 distance learning courses. He holds a diploma in Economics and is responsible for the development, organization, and quality management of the course programs.
From 2012 to 2020, Jens Greefe served as Vice President, and from 2022 to 2025 he was a member of the board of the German Association for Distance Learning (“Bundesverband der Fernstudienanbieter,” formerly “Forum Distance Learning”).
Since 2021, he has been a member of the Global Advisory Board of OEB Online Educa Berlin.
Jens Greefe has chaired the Research & Development Committee since 2014 and has been a member of the board of EADL since 2025.

Leah Matthews is the Executive Director of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission located in Washington, DC. The DEAC is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1926 that accredits fully distance education institutions serving nearly 1.2 million students annually. The DEAC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Dr. Matthews began serving as the DEAC Executive Director on April 1, 2013. Dr. Matthews came to DEAC from her previous position as Vice President for Recognition Services at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the national coordinating organization for higher education accrediting organizations. In that role, she managed the CHEA recognition process for 60 accreditors that provide regional, national and programmatic accreditation. Prior to working with CHEA, Dr. Matthews served nearly 12 years on the staff of the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges, of which for seven years she held a senior leadership position. Prior to joining ACCSC, Dr. Matthews worked for five years at the U.S. Army Japan Headquarters in Zama, Japan where she directed family support services and post-secondary education opportunities for soldiers and families assigned to the U.S. Army Japan, Headquarters. Dr. Matthews earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Education from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a PhD in Education from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

Lucas Cone is an Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. His research examines the intersection of education, politics, and digital technology. His work explores how emerging technical arrangements - from AI systems and data infrastructures to platform-dependent educational environments - are reshaping everyday practices of students, teachers, and schools, and what it means in relation to broader democratic and pedagogical questions and values.