The new digital and web-based technologies, coupled with ubiquitous mobile access, have provided us to whatever information we want, whenever and wherever we want it. In spite of the fact that the world has become increasingly connected and interactive, some scholars contend that new technologies have not brought about transformative changes in the educational arena. Furthermore, the always-on lifestyle has given rise to some concerns over its negative impact on young people’s cognitive development, attention, and learning.
The HKAECT 2018 International Conference seeks to encourage the sharing of the experience and reflection on the theme of new media for educational change. It encourages scholarly discussion that looks beyond what new media can afford for teaching and learning, and ponder over the actual effects of these media on communication and learning. In particular, we welcome the sharing of good practice and lessons learned of applying new media in a wide range of fields and critical reflection on the concerns and issues associated with emergent technologies.
Robert (Rob) Maribe Branch is a Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology at the University of Georgia, and the Head of the Department of Career and Information Studies. Rob earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina; and a Master of Arts degree from Ball State University. Rob taught high school in Botswana as a Peace Corps Volunteer and later joined the University of Botswana as a Lecturer in the Technology Education Department. Rob completed his Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from Virginia Tech in 1989. Dr. Branch worked as Fulbright Lecturer/Researcher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, where he co-founded the Master’s degree in Educational Technology, while conducting research on the complexities of student centered learning spaces. Dr. Branch is co-editor of the Educational Media and Technology Yearbook and co-author of the book Survey of Instructional Design Models. He also authored the book Instructional Design: The ADDIE Approach. Dr. Branch emphasizes student-centered learning and teaches courses related to message design. Dr. Branch’s published research focuses on diagramming complex conceptual relationships and other complicated flow processes. He is a Past President of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT).
Li Chen is the Vice Preseident and a Professor of the Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University. She is also the Executive Director of the Beijing Institute for The Learning City of the University. Prof. Chen obtained Bachelor degree in Electronics, Master degree & PhD in Education Technology from Beijing Normal University.
Prof. Chen has been working in Beijing Normal University since 1988. She initiated the master degree program and PhD program of Distance Education in Beijing Normal University, the first one and only university in China delivering degree program of Distance Education. Prof. Chen has been teaching the bachelor-level course The Foundation of Distance Education, master-level course Frontier discussion on Distance Education, and PhD-level course Theory & Practice of Distance Education. Prof. Chen is leading a project committed by Ministry of Education Strategic Research on Education Innovation by Disruptive Technology.
Her research mainly focuses on interaction principle of online learning, disruptive education innovation by internet, and policy for lifelong learning. She is also deeply engaged in policy consulting in online learning and lifelong learning. She has authored and published more than 10 books and 100 papers.
Eva Wong is the Director of the Centre for Holistic Teaching and Learning at Hong Kong Baptist University. The Centre has major responsibilities for professional development in teaching and learning of faculty members, assisting in the implementation of the outcomes-based approach to teaching and learning, supporting the University’s e-learning endeavours, collecting evidence for the assessment of students’ attainment of learning outcomes, and helping students’ whole person development with the aim of enhancing student learning with a holistic approach. In recent years, the Centre has been successful in competing for externally funding to support innovative teaching and learning projects. In the 2012-15 triennium, the Centre received a total grant of some HK$7million for 4 teaching and learning projects through a sector-wide competitive exercise. In the more recent 2016-19 triennium, the Centre secured HK$11million from the competitive exercise with 6 projects supported. One of the projects that deploys augmented reality on mobile learning trails to reinforce ethical concepts in students won Silver for Asia in the 2015 Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards, and has been showcased by Drexel University Online as an innovation from around the globe that infuses technology with learning since July 2017.
Dr. Wong was educated in the United Kingdom, received her first degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from University College London, and a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Abertay Dundee. She worked in a number of tertiary institutions in the United Kingdom, including the University of Dundee, University of Cambridge and University of Essex, during the earlier part of her career in computer science and information systems before returning to Hong Kong with her family in 1991. Dr. Wong joined City University of Hong Kong as a faculty member in the Department of Information System, and received the University’s 1996-1997 Teaching Excellence Award. In 2010, she joined Hong Kong Baptist University where she continues to focus on enhancing student learning through professional development of frontline teachers.
Dr. Wong’s current interests and expertise are in the enhancement of student learning through the use of engaging and learner-centred pedagogies leveraged on e-learning, in which area she has presented and published.
Hong Kong Association for Educational Communications and Technology (HKAECT)
Faculty of Social Sciences,
Hong Kong Baptist University
Department of Education Studies (EDUC),
Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation
Centre for Information Technology in Education (CITE),
The University of Hong Kong
Centre for Learning, Teaching and Technology (LTTC),
The Education University of Hong Kong
