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.