MEET OUR KEYNOTES

Challenge-Based Learning: A Pedagogy for the 21st century

Our planet faces many rapid changes: the growth of digital economies, adapting to climate change and demographic shifts, to name a few. To successfully address these, today’s education needs to change as well: instead of simply “acquiring” knowledge, it is more important than ever that learners acquire the skills and practical insights needed to make a difference in the real world.

In this Keynote, Dr. Thomas Funke will challenge the audience to rethink how to approach learning in a rapidly changing learning environment. The inability of modern education to create truly engaging learning experiences was one of the motivating factors that led Dr. Funke to co-found Tomorrow University in 2021. At the core of it all: challenge-based learning (CBL).

With the aim of giving learners an individualised and creative approach to learning, CBL invites them to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, moving higher education out of the realm of theory and into practical applications of knowledge.

This revolutionary pedagogy is aided by the latest technology - at Tomorrow University, students can study and solve challenges at their own pace through the learning platform, while also connecting with others via the playful virtual campus to engage in social learning. After all, the greatest challenges are best overcome together.

In his keynote, Thomas will discuss:

• What is Challenge-Based Learning?

• How does it help Education fit the needs of today’s (and tomorrow’s) learners?

• How can governments and institutions create their own “challenges” to find answers for the most pressing global issues?

The Limits of Knowing: Uncertain Futures for Education

A paradigm shift in education is upon us that will leave education unmoored from its purpose. The social contract of why we send children to school will become unclear when artificial intelligence will take on seemingly all communication and basic cognitive skills of workers. Understanding what it means to raise compassionate humans with critical and creative abilities will lead a new era. Kathleen Naglee will give a provocative talk about leaning into this uncertainty through the neuroscience of learning.

Kathleen will lead you to discover:

• What this paradigm shift means to the tech world and school leaders

• What needs to be left behind for good in schools

• Curating social experience, creativity, critical thinking and embodied learning

From player to Creator: How Gaming is Shaping the Future of the Internet

Steve is quick to realize that our students are already living in the prototype of the next iteration of the Internet. They are passionate about games and participating in immersive online experiences. Game Technology is driving the development of the Future of the Internet and transforming industries including TV/Film, Advertising, Fashion, Simulation, Broadcasting, Automotive and Aerospace. We have an opportunity and responsibility to nurture the next generation of creators. Let’s leverage student interest and expertise to nurture the next generation of creators!

In his keynote, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of how Interactive 3D and Game Technology is transforming a wide variety of industries beyond games.

• See how the Player to Creator pathway provides opportunities for students to develop industry skills based on their passion and expertise. 

• Understand how sandbox games and game engines have changed the landscape of game based learning to support students as content creators.

Artificial Intelligence in Education: opportunities for Edtech

There are multiple scenarios in which artificial intelligence (AI) could improve teaching and learning. In this talk, the augmentation perspective and the concept of hybrid intelligence are introduced to frame our thinking about AI in education. The involvement of different stakeholders (i.e. researchers, education professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers) is necessary to understand the opportunities and challenges of AI in education. In order to facilitate a meaningful dialogue, a common language about AI in education is introduced. The six levels of automation model is introduced to develop our thinking about the roles of AI, learners, and teachers. In this model, the transition of control between teacher and technology is articulated at different levels. The detect-diagnose-act framework is used to describe the core functions of AI in education. Finally, the future of AI in education is discussed using different inspiring examples. The proposed common language will help to support an interdisciplinary dialogue between stakeholders to strengthen meaningful application of AI for learning and teaching. In this way the opportunities of Edtech to drive the development of AI are further explored.

In Dr Molenaar's session, she will discuss:

• Understanding the role of AI in education

• Balanced view of risk and challenges of AI in education

• Positioning your own solution in the Edtech landscape