Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speakers

 


Prof. Elliot Soloway

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, USA
Co-Director, Center for Digital Curricula, University of Michigan, USA

 

Biography
Elliot Soloway is an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. In 2001, the UMich undergraduates selected him to receive the “Golden Apple Award” as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year at the University of Michigan. In 2004 and in 2011, students in the College of Engineering HKN Honor Society selected Dr. Soloway to receive the “Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.”
40 years ago as an artificial intelligence researcher, Dr. Elliot Soloway was drawn to the challenge of how to make computers learn. But, after the birth of his first child, he had an epiphany: Making children smarter would be a much better use of his time than making computers smarter. This inspired him to stop doing AI research altogether and start working on educational technology. But as a college professor with little experience in education technology, he needed someone who really understood K-12.

 

Co-Presenter:

 

Prof. Cathie Norris

 

Associate Dean of Research, College of Information, University of North Texas, USA
Co-Director, Center for Digital Curricula, University of Michigan, USA

 

 

Biography

Cathleen Norris is a Regents Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies, College of Information, at the University of North Texas, Denton, TX. From 1995-2001, Norris was President of the National Educational Computing Association (NCEA), and led its merger with ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education, creating the largest, international organization for technology-minded educators in the world. Norris was Co-President of ISTE from 2001-2004. Norris’ 14 years in K-12 classrooms – receiving a Golden Apple Award from Dallas ISD along the way – has shaped her university R&D agenda: developing resources to support K-12 teachers as they move into 21st century classrooms.
Norris has also given presentations on educational technology all over the world for the past 20+ years and is the co-founder of GoKnow, Inc., a Dallas-based company that supports K-12 in using mobile learning devices.

 

Co-Author:

 

Prof. Anne Tapp
Professor, School of Education, Saginaw Valley State University, USA
Director of Professional Development, Center for Digital Curricula, University of Michigan, USA

 

Biography

 

Dr. Tapp is a Professor of Teacher Education at Saginaw Valley State University. She teaches in both the graduate and undergraduate programs within the College of Education. Dr. Tapp has a variety of research interests including the integration of technology, STEM, and reflective practice. She is a frequent presenter at international and national conferences and has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, and texts. Dr. Tapp serves on the Executive Committee of the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) Board of Directors and is past chair of the AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives (ACSR) Executive Committee. She previously served as the ACSR Midwest Region Representative and is past president of the Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). She serves as a Director for the University of Michigan Center for Digital Curricula and Co-Director of the SVSU Center for Experience Research & Design and Usability Research Team. She is a board member for several organizations and frequent volunteer within educational communities. Dr. Tapp states, “I feel blessed to be working for such a student-oriented university. Saginaw Valley State University is truly a special place.”

 

Title: Using a Next-Generation Platform, Deeply-Digital Curricula and Digitally-Motivated Pedagogical Practices to Support Today’s Alpha Generation Learners

 

Abstract: Current curricula and pedagogy need to change to effectively support the learning needs of the “GenAlphas.” The digital-first, Alpha Generation – children born after 2012 – have grown up on hand-held, digital screens, not watching television or reading paper-based books. The COVID-19 disruption – an unprecedented, international extended event – further pushed the Alphas onto screens for social interaction and learning. Returning to paper-and-pencil curricula and pedagogy does not serve the needs of the GenAlphas! Alphas' deeply-digital experiences outside of school have them expecting deeply-digital learning experiences inside of school. Toward addressing the learning needs of Alphas in Kindergarten through fifth grade, we at the Center for Digital Learning, have been studying the impact that deeply-digital, highly-interactive curricula, digitally-motivated, pedagogical practices, and a next-generation teaching and learning platform, have had on the engagement and achievement of GenAlpha learners – and on the impact those changes have had on the students’ teachers! Our presentation will present key findings from that multi-year study with over 10,000 students in K-5 in the United States.

 

 

 

Prof. Kuan-Chou Chen
Purdue University Northwest, USA

 

Biography
Kuan-Chou Chen is the Associate Dean for Graduate Program and Research, Thomas M. McDermott Sr. Endowed Chair, Professor in Economic Development, Professor of Management Information Systems. He was the Department Head of Information Systems, Finance, and Business Analytics (2005-2016), as well as Interim Department Head of Department of Graduate Studies in Education (2013-2014) at Purdue University Northwest. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and his MBA from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. He specialized in computer programming, system simulation, project management, decision support systems, data mining, system analysis and design, e-business strategy and application, supply chain management, network design and security, knowledge management, and information economy. Professor Chen has more than 90 scholarly publications, most in peer-reviewed journals. He is an active participant in several professional journals and serves on three paper reviewer boards. Currently he is an Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning. His productivity and scholarship have been recognized by his colleagues, being nominated three years in a row for an “Outstanding Scholar Award.” He also the recipient of Teacher of the Year Award (Purdue University Northwest, 2005).

 

Title: Artificial Intelligence in higher education

 

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI), which was a curiosity for generations, is rapidly developing into a major applied technology with many applications in a variety of fields. This presentation examines the applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education, focusing on its potential to enhance teaching, learning, and professional development. AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics offer innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of college students and educators. The paper reviews current AI applications in higher education, including intelligent tutoring systems, adaptive learning platforms, plagiarism detection tools, and student support systems. It also discusses challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of AI in higher education, addressing issues such as data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for faculty development. By integrating AI into higher education, institutions can prepare students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly changing job market landscape, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability.

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Mitsunori Hirogaki
Kyushu University, Japan

 

Biography

Mitsunori Hirogaki graduated with a Bachelor of Science: Commerce from Doshisha University and pursued his Master's Degree in Commerce and Ph.D.: Commerce from Kobe University. Dr. Hirogaki is currently an Associate Professor of Marketing Strategy at Kyushu University, Graduate School of Economics, Department of Business and Technology Management (QBS Business School), where he teaches Marketing Strategy and International Marketing. He also teaches marketing research and consumer behavior at Ehime University.
He has served as an administrator in various capacities at Kyushu University and as one of the professors in various training programs dealing with Marketing in short-term executive programs, an Introductory Education Program for Freshman MBA students, and a regular feature on QTnet "Morning Business School" radio educational program aired by FM Fukuoka, and at Nikkei Business School. As a member of a research group at the Center for the Study of the Creative Economy (Doshisha University), he works with big data analysis to construct systems that identify seeds of innovation. Dr. Hirogaki’s current research focuses on Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior in international marketing and marketing strategies in mature, developed societies. He has published numerous papers in international journals such as International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management; International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research; International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business; Micro and Macro Marketing; International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation; and International Journal of Business and Globalisation. He is a member of the Japanese Economic Association, Japan Society of Marketing and Distribution, Kyushu Association of Economic Science, and Japan Association for Consumer Studies.

 

Title: TBA

 

Abstract: Traditionally, Japanese companies relied on in-house training, including on-the-job training (OJT), which was often tied to lifelong employment. However, economic slowdowns and shifts in job trends have rendered OJT more challenging and constrained. Concurrently, there is a growing emphasis on employee development, particularly in advanced industries.
The Japanese government and major economic organizations advocate for the cultivation of "high-level management personnel." MBA programs play a crucial role in developing professionals with advanced skills to foster innovation within companies. However, there is a lack of research on MBA education in Japan. This speech will explore why corporate employees choose to pursue MBA programs.