Conference Highlights
Featured Highlights for OEB23
Barbara Mercer-Moser
Visiting Fellow at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Nairobi
Barbara Moser-Mercer, professor emerita and founder of InZone (University of Geneva), is visiting professor at University of Nairobi, engaged in strengthening African solutions that advance Higher Education in Emergencies (HEiE) and has been coordinating the launch phase of the African Higher Education in Emergencies Network (AHEEN); she is currently also a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Center. Following her initial training as conference interpreter she pursued her studies and research in cognitive psychology, focusing on the development of expertise in complex cognitive skills. She has applied these findings to learning in protracted humanitarian emergencies.
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https://oeb.global/oeb-insights/digital…
Will ChatGPT Replace Educational Developers in Higher Education?
Date Friday, Nov 24 Time –
Will ChatGPT Replace Educational Developers in Higher Education?
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the way both faculty and students learn, with teachers using them to generate materials and plan activities. In this Learning Café, participants will engage in discussions on how GenAI can support teachers, how it wil will transform teaching and how this technology will change the future role and competencies of educational developers and learning designers.
This Learning Café will allow participants to:
- Delve into the educational developer capabilities of Generative AI, including how it can offer valuable feedback and ideation to educators.
- Engage in dialogues with educators, educational developers, and learning designers about the integration of Generative AI in designing higher education teaching and learning experiences.
- Explore the evolving significance and relevance of educational developers, both in the present and the unfolding future.
Sidsel-Marie Winther Prag
Team Manager, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
Sidsel-Marie Winther Prag leads the Educational Development Team at Copenhagen Business School's Teaching & Learning unit. With a diverse background spanning the public and NGO sectors, Sidsel-Marie has worked with learning and development in healthcare, humanitarian aid and development, and higher education. She has held various roles, including project manager, community builder, advisor, designer, and facilitator of co-creation and learning processes.
Sidsel-Marie is enthusiastic about leveraging technology to enhance and improve learning experiences. In her different capacities, she has supported educators to use technology and learning experience design methodology to build effective learning experiences.
Sidsel-Marie strongly believes in the power of community, and she is passionate about creating inclusive environments for people to share knowledge and experiences.
Nina Kathrine Rathlev Henriksen
Educational Developer, CBS, Denmark
Thomas Rousing
Educational Developer, CBS, Denmark
Beyond "Happy Sheets" - Ideas and Questions for Understanding Learning Effectiveness
Date Thursday, Nov 23 Time –
Beyond "Happy Sheets" - Ideas and Questions for Understanding Learning Effectiveness
Corporate academies and trainings are a big investment for organisations. However, little effort is put into measuring the effectiveness of these learning products. In this Learning Café, we will introduce models and approaches for measuring effectiveness and share insights on reconstructing the M&E system of GIZ, an organisation with 25,000 employees in 120 countries.
We will then facilitate a discussion among participants on good practices, useful methods/approaches, and common challenges in measuring the effectiveness of learning products.
Jasper Synowski
Specialist Learning Evaluation & Analytics, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Germany
Jasper works as a specialist for learning evaluation and analytics for GIZ, the Germany Development Agency. Having studied and worked in different parts of the world, he draws on expertise in the fields of Business Psychology and Public Health. He is particularly interested in how science can inform learning design and evaluation.
Klemens Darr
Learning Platform Specialist, German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH, Germany
Ilaria Kosubski
Learning Specialist Digital Tools & Evaluation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Germany
In addition to her studies in educational science with a focus on digitalisation, gamification and gender, she has worked for several years in research on media and digital education in higher education. Since August 2022, she has been working as a specialist for digital tools and evaluation at the German Coporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). The main tasks include the development of a monitoring and evaluation system as well as a learning management system in the context of the departure preparation programme.
Jessica Schendzielorz
Specialist Learning Evaluation and Analytics, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Germany
Christina Gitsaki
Research Coordinator & Acting Director, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
Prof. Dr. Christina Gitsaki is an Apple Professional Learning Specialist and the Research Coordinator at the Center for Educational Innovation, Zayed University, UAE. She has served as the UNESCO Chair in Applied Research in Education and the Dean of the Foundations Program at the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE. Before the UAE, she worked at The University of Queensland, Australia, educating teachers and supervising Ph.D. students in educational research. She worked with Education Queensland and The Learning Federation of the Curriculum Corporation, Australia on federal education projects such as the creation of digital Learning Objects for K-12 students. At the CEI, she oversees the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the development of faculty for engaging in research on teaching and learning. Christina has a special interest in the use of technology in the teaching and learning process.
Spacing Out to Level Up: Embrace Drips, Bots & Blogs to Reinforce Learning
Date Thursday, Nov 23 Time –
Spacing Out to Level Up: Embrace Drips, Bots & Blogs to Reinforce Learning
This session focuses on the concept of "Spaced Learning" as a way to address the challenge of providing effective training to a busy workforce.
The benefits of spaced learning through drip-feeding knowledge include enhanced retention, improved knowledge application, efficient time management, motivational boost, and long-term skill development. The session will cover how to plan, organise, and develop drip lessons using a framework that can be easily replicated in the workplace.
Participants will learn:
- How to determine if their content fits within the context of spaced learning.
- How to write engaging conversational content plans.
- How to apply drip-feed content
- How to choose the best tools for content and engagement.
Shannon Tipton
Owner, Founder, Learning Rebels, LLC, United States of America
A workplace learning expert for 30+ years, Shannon Tipton fights for learning that sticks. As the founder of Learning Rebels®, she fixes training that’s broken and develops learning that delivers business results. Known for her Rebellious Rebuilding™ Framework, Shannon’s approach to learning reinforcement invites curiosity and strategy into workplace learning.
She is the author of Disruptive Learning and a global speaker. Join her in the fight for learning that sticks and results that matter at learningrebels.com.
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Ina Dankova
Digital Learning Project Manager, Sika AG, Switzerland
Ina has been focused on Corporate Learning & Development for the past seven years, leveraging her skills in digital media. Having worked in different countries, she gathered an amalgama of BDPs from the media, pharma and chemicals industries. A curious Project Manager, who ventures innovation in content creation and strives to solve the scalability challenge. Ina enjoys exploring how AI can save resources in generating creative learnings. A firm believer in the growth mindset.
Ina is certified in digital learning didactics, has a Master’s in Broadcast Journalism and is currently a MBA student at University of St Gallen in Switzerland.
Exploring The Potential of VR: Enhancing Competency-based Learning through Simulation-based Environments
Date Friday, Nov 24 Time –
Exploring The Potential of VR: Enhancing Competency-based Learning through Simulation-based Environments
The use of VR in higher education is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to promote hands-on learning, instant feedback, and repetition of complex scenarios. However, there is still a lack of studies that examinehow to incorporate VR as a didactical method for competency-based learning effectively.
This Boardroom Dialogue will discuss recent findings regarding how pre-service teachers acquire classroom management skills in a virtual environment. It will also delve into the advantages and challenges of integrating VR in higher education. This includes exploring strategies for effective integration, suitable assessment methods, and appropriate research methodologies. The aim is to establish practical guidelines for designing, developing, implementing, maintaining, and leveraging simulation-based learning environments effectively.
Erik-Jan Smits
Lector, Christian University of Applied Sciences (CHE), Netherlands
Dr. Erik-Jan Smits conducted research on the logical reasoning abilities of children as part of his PhD. Since then, the question of how people can understand each other has remained a central theme in his work. After completing his PhD, he worked for 15 years as a "connector" in the healthcare field, serving as a consultant, process facilitator, team leader, and innovator. This allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of numerous healthcare organizations from within. He firmly believes in the opportunities that human-centered IT (Information and Communication Technology) offers and the necessity of conducting research on its practical implementation in complex contexts, such as healthcare, welfare, and education. With this motivation, he has been leading research activities at CHE in precisely these intersections since May 1, 2022.
Andrii Holovko
project team member, HNEE, Unknown
Born on April 23, 1981 in the village of Morochno, Rivne region, Ukraine. Was moved to the city of Vynogradiv, Zakarpattia region of Ukraine, along with the family in 1991, where secondary school was graduated from in 1998. In 2003, a master's degree in business management was received at the Ukrainian National Forestry University (UNFU). In the same year, employment was started as an assistant professor at the Department of Forestry Economics and Management at UNFU. In 2010, a PhD in Economics, specializing in the economics of natural resources management and environmental protection, was obtained. In 2012, along with employment at the university, work was begun for SGS as an expert on social and economic issues, and in 2018 as an FSC forest management auditor. Since 2013, an appointment was made as an Associate Professor at the Department of Management of Organizations and Administration at UNFU. In 2017, a specialist degree in forestry was received. From 2017 to 2021, the head of the Department of Management of Organizations and Administration at UNFU. After the reorganization of the departments, since 2021, an associate professor of the management and marketing department at UNFU. Since 2016, active cooperation has been maintained with the Eberswalde University of Sustainable Development (HNEE). From 2016 to 2023, participation has taken place in a series of projects within the framework of the East-West Dialogue program of the German Federal Foreign Office. Since September 2022, employment has been ongoing as a member of the project team at HNEE within the DAAD project "Ukrainian-German Teaching Network for a Digital Transformation of Environmental Education". This project is aimed at improving online education in times of war in Ukraine.
EdTech Demystified: Strategies for Seamless Implementation
Date Thursday, Nov 23 Time –
EdTech Demystified: Strategies for Seamless Implementation
This 'How-To' session offers practical tips and best case examples for the challenging task of implementing educational technology (EdTech) in Higher Education.
Through a detailed exploration of the Practitioners' Field Guide for Implementing Educational Technology, participants will have access to in-depth research translated into actionable strategies and will receive practical tips and best case examples that shed light on the crucial processes and key actors involved in Edtech implementation.
With the help of interactive reflective activities, participants will learn about practical solutions for overcoming challenges related to steering technology adoption, strategy building, infrastructure challenges, peer-learning, overcoming resistance, and fostering motivation.
Participants will leave the session with:
- Insights into implementing EdTech at universities, including practical solutions for overcoming challenges related to technology adoption, strategy building, infrastructure, peer-learning, resistance, and motivation.
- A comprehensive understanding of the organisational processes and actors involved in EdTech implementation and empowerment to spark digital change within their own institution.
Melissa Laufer
Head of Research Programme - Knowledge & Society, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Germany
Melissa Laufer is passionate about helping universities embrace their own digitalization paths. As head of the research programme “Knowledge & Society” at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Melissa investigates how universities and their staff members experience EdTech and the common challenges they encounter. Through collaboration with practitioners, Melissa and her team have developed research-based recommendations for addressing EdTech implementation challenges. This includes finding out-of-the-box solutions for tackling issues such as resistance to technology, steering and fostering innovation and creating a common vision for digital change. Melissa’s research can be found in international journals and media outlets.
Dr. Len Ole Schäfer
Postdoc at FernUniversität in Hagen, CATALPA - Center of Advanced Technology for Assisted Learning and Predictive Analytics , Germany
Len is a Postdoc at CATALPA – Center of Advanced Technology for Assisted Learning and Predictive Analytics, a central scientific facility at the FernUniversität in Hagen. Len is passionate about Sociology, Sociology of Organizations, Higher Education Research and the interrelationship between Resilience, Creativity and Edtech. He leads the research project "Organizational Resilience and Creativity: Exploring the Future of Educational Technology in Higher Education" (ORC)", a cooperation project with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG). In his research and talks he is driven by questions of societal relevance. He completed his doctorate at the University of Bamberg and was a visiting doctoral scholar at University College London, Institute of Education, Centre for Global Higher Education.
Maria D. Avgerinou
Faculty and Coordinator of MA in Learning Design and Technology, American College Greece- Deree, Greece
For the past 20+ years, as a certified online educator and academic in universities in the US, UK, and more recently in Greece, Dr. Avgerinou has taught, published, and presented extensively on the research and practice of online and blended learning (K12 and Higher Education), action research, and visual literacy for education and training with particular emphasis on teacher education and professional development. With postdoctoral diplomas on e-Learning Design, Implementation, and Evaluation from the University of London (UK), the University of Hull (UK), and Indiana University (US), Dr. Avgerinou has also acted as a consultant in education and corporate training.
As an international scholar, Dr. Avgerinou has been active in various leadership roles in a number of professional associations such as the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), the European Distance and eLearning Network (EDEN), and the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA). In recognition of her contribution especially to the field of Visual Literacy, Dr. Avgerinou has received various awards, most notably IVLA’s Research Award (2009), and the Braden & Beauchamp Award (2001, 2010). In 2012, she was elected the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Visual Literacy (JVL/Routledge), the oldest international academic journal in the field. Furthermore, she currently serves as a Master Reviewer for Quality Matters® (MarylandOnline/US), and an external specialist for the European Commission’s Key Action 2: Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices.
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Unleashing the Power of European Universities
Date Thursday, Nov 23 Time –
Unleashing the Power of European Universities
The emergence of "umbrella universities" in Europe has led to a paradigm shift in the higher education landscape, with a focus on interconnecting all institutions. Is your institution a member of a European University Alliance as well? Automated real-time exchange of data and joint course displays are just some of the criteria that alliance members need to fulfil. This does not just affect leadership or an IT department’s activities, but impacts all students and education professionals too.
Our panel will discuss collaborative efforts that are being undertaken on a European level to establish common standards, coordinate activities, and foster cross-sector cooperation. Experts will share recommendations and best practices.
Key takeaways include understanding the paradigm shift and the role of European University Alliances, insight into interoperability challenges, such as data exchange, student privacy and integration of diverse systems.
Speakers will include:
- Channa van der Brug, Programme Manager, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung for Stifterverband
- Alexander Knoth, Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting GmbH
- Evelien Renders, Adviser International Education, SURF
Channa van der Brug
Programme Manager, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung for Stifterverband, Germany
Channa van der Brug is programme manager international affairs at at Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (https://hochschulforumdigitalisierung.de/en, the German Forum for Higher Education in the Digital Age) for Stifterverband, where she is developing opportunities for international knowledge exchange on good practices for digital teaching and learning. She has more than 20 years’ of experience in the education sector and a passion for the role of technology in shaping the future of education, as well as for developing deeper understanding and connections between diverse people and institutions through engagement and dialogue.
Evelien Renders
Adviser International Education, SURF, Netherlands
Evelien Renders facilitates international collaboration in higher education at SURF, the cooperative organisation for IT in Dutch education and research. Complex processes, manageable data, and interoperability between systems make her happy. She keeps track of international developments in student mobility and other logistical processes. In doing so, she contributes to flexible and agile education, both in the Netherlands and abroad. With a commitment to public values and open standards, Evelien advocates for communication, trust, and collaboration between IT stakeholders in higher education.
Alexander Knoth
Senior Manager , Deloitte Consulting GmbH, Germany
Alexander Knoth vertritt den Bereich "Digitale Bildung" bei Deloitte Consulting und arbeitet im Auftrag des Bundesmisnisteriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) im Management Team der Digitalen Vernetzungsinfrastruktur für die Bildung. Dort verantwortet er das Produktmanagement. Zuvor war er Chief Digital Officer (CDO) und Leiter des Digitalisierungsreferats beim Deutschen Akademischen Ausatsuchdienst (DAAD) und arbeitete als Advisor for Digitalization of Teaching and International Affairs im Präsidialamt der Univeersität Potsdam.
Stéphanie Oberheidt
European Digital Education Hub Lead, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), Germany
Jan Trevisan
Online Training Officer, Florence School of Banking and Finance, European University Institute, Italy
Jan Trevisan is in charge of online executive training courses and online events at the Florence School of Banking and Finance, a platform for banking regulation and supervision in the European Union, part of the European University Institute’s Robert Schuman Centre. In his capacity, he oversees the provision of online training activities in the framework of the cooperation between the EUI and the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and coordinates the working package 'Online Training Production' in the framework of the European Commission's EU-SDFA Project (EU Supervisory Digital Finance Academy). Earlier, he worked as Communications Officer at the European University Institute, where he managed the outreach of high-profile institutional and academic events. Prior to that, he was a junior researcher at the Fondazione ENI Enrico Mattei’s International Center for Climate Governance and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, where he led an online dissemination initiative. Jan holds a MA in International Relations from Ca’Foscari University of Venice, a postgraduate Master in Diplomacy and International Relations from the University of Florence, and a certificate in E-learning Instructional Design from the University of California, Irvine.
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Navigating the Robo-Revolution: AI and the Future of Career Guidance
Date Thursday, Nov 23 Time –
Navigating the Robo-Revolution: AI and the Future of Career Guidance
AI and the more recent public release of ChatGPT are considered to be major game-changers in the way that digital technology will be used in the future. Many aspects of our personal and professional lives will be impacted and this also presents opportunities for transforming professional career guidance services, with a need to discuss what future guidance and counselling services will look like and how they might benefit from the effective use of AI and large language models (LLMs).
A panel of experts will explore the opportunities and risks of AI being applied in a career development context and will consider some of the following questions:
- How important is it to build guardrails in career support chatbots and what would this require?
- What steps need to be taken to build confidence and competence among career managers, leaders and practitioners?
- How can we make effective use of AI and Large Language Models in career guidance whilst identifying possible danger points?
- How can AI be used to improve or extend career guidance systems and practices?
- What are the challenges and limitations using AI technology in career guidance?
- Will AI change the way that career education and guidance is delivered in school and wider settings?
Speakers will include:
- Alison Burke, Policy Analyst, OECD
- Deirdre Hughes, International Career Development Specialist
- Eirik Øvernes, Head of Department Department of Career Services, Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills
- Chris Percy, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Derby
- Moderator: Paul Guest, Education, Training & Project Management Expert-Consultant
Attendees will gain a better understanding of the risks and opportunities of AI in career guidance and will reflect on the steps needed to build confidence and competence among career guidance professionals.
Alison Burke
Policy Analyst, OECD, France
Alison Burke is an Analyst at the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills. She is currently working in the Career Readiness team that focuses on how secondary schools can best prepare young people for their working lives. As part of her work, she looks after the OECD Observatory on Digital technologies in Career guidance for Youth (ODiCY); an open-access repository on the use of digital technologies in career education and guidance by primary and secondary schools.
Prior to joining the OECD, she was a secondary school teacher in Australia teaching Physics and Science. Alison has a Masters degree in Comparative and International Education from Oxford.
Eirik Øvernes
Head of department, Department of Career Services, Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, Norway
Eirik Øvernes has his background in pedagogy with an early focus on online teaching.
For several years he was a project manager at the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine and led national and international projects. The projects facilitated interaction and learning among healthcare personnel over a distance using various forms of technology. He has led large projects that established national digital further education offers for large numbers of teachers.
Today he leads the national digital career guidance service, Karriereveiledning.no. The service is free and anonymous and offers career guidance via chat and telephone, in addition to self-help tools on the website.
Deirdre Hughes
International Career Development Specialist, dmh associates, CareerChat (UK) Ltd & Warwick University IER, United Kingdom
Deirdre Hughes specialises in careers, employment and skills policies, research and practice at an international, national and regional level. Uppermost in her mind is the notion that everyone has untapped talents and skills that can potentially be harnessed to good effect. She is the Founding Director of CareerChat (UK) Ltd – a pioneering technology start-up company in Exeter (England) focused on career exploration and the effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs). Deirdre is an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, Institute for Employment Research (IER) and Director of dmh associates – an independent research and consultancy company.
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Chris Percy
visiting research fellow, UNIVERSITY OF DERBY, United Kingdom
Chris Percy PhD is a data scientist working primarily on career trajectories, explainable AI, and economic development, with recent publications for the OECD and the ILO. Clients have included the World Bank, King’s College London, and government organisations in eight nations. His research has featured in the Journal of AI Communications, AAAI, NeurIPS, and the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI). Chris is the co-founder of an award-winning chatbot, CareersChat, which provides general careers advice and personalised labour market intelligence. Chris’s current R&D work includes the potential for large language model AI to improve careers support.
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Moderator
Paul Guest
Consultant (education-training-project management), Expert-Moderator-Consultant, United Kingdom
Paul has worked in national and European developments in education and training for more than 30 years. Having played a fundamental role in establishing UK Euroguidance, Paul spent five years working in Brussels, helping to deliver the European Commission’s higher education and vocational training programmes. Paul continues to provide research and development services to a broad range of clients, including Scottish Government and the European Commission and has a confirmed interest in learning and skills recognition. Paul regularly delivers input and moderation relating to education, training, guidance and skills recognition, and works closely with Erasmus+ national agency and Euroguidance networks.
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Mark Dunne
Head of Targeted Skilling, Novartis, Ireland
Experienced learning Lead working more than 20 years across different industries. Love to explore new learning approaches and techniques to improve how learning can be more impactful in organizations. I am a futures thinker but practical implementer. Currently interested in skills and how we can use the advancements in AI and data to improve how we develop these.
Manage Distractions in a Distracted World
Date Thursday, Nov 23 Time –
Manage Distractions in a Distracted World
This How To session will combine research on distraction with practical instructional design and facilitation techniques to minimise distraction in the learning environment.
Participants will explore what distracts learners, identify methods to minimise, manage, and eliminate distractions, and create a distraction management action plan. The session will cover external and internal distractions, as well as those created through instructional design and facilitation choices.
Katrina Kennedy
Principal Consultant, Katrina Kennedy Training, United States of America
Katrina Kennedy is known to the training community as “the trainer’s trainer.” She is passionate about helping trainers design and deliver interactive, engaging learning experiences that transfer to on the job performance. She has provided training, coaching, and design consultation to organisations since 1997.
She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Development from Chapman University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She shares training insights and ideas at www.katrinakennedy.com
Albert Angehrn
Prof, INSEAD, France
Albert started his academic career with a doctoral degree in Mathematics from ETH-Z, the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich.
More than 30 years ago he joined INSEAD - one of the most prestigious Business Schools with campuses in Fontainebleau, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco.
It is there that he focused his research on:
- Studying the complexity of large global organizations in many different sectors, and in particular Change and Collaboration dynamics,
- Analyzing how Information Technology enables companies to rapidly transform themselves to reach higher performance levels.
Albert also developed a true passion for Management Games & Simulations.
- He directed for more than 10 years INSEAD’s Research Centre on Advanced Learning Technologies.
- He developed over the years more than 30 Management Games & Simulations (almost 1 per year) many of which are used extensively in all the best Management Schools worldwide, including Cambridge, Stanford and the top Chinese universities.
- The Games he is working on these days are for instance designed to help managers understand how to best take advantage of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence, which are 2 areas in which he has published extensively".
Nastia Padvishenskaya
Talent Development Manager, EPAM Systems, Netherlands
Passionate Talent Development Professional driving sustainable change through learning and human capital strategies.
M.S. in Learning Technologies and Instructional Design
Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
Currently responsible for translating fast-paced business and people needs within Western Europe and Middle East into appropriate and relevant talent development solutions, and driving continuous learning culture across the regions (14 locations, 7000+ employees)
John Domingue
Professor of Computer Science, The Open University, United Kingdom
John Domingue is a full Professor of Computer Science at the Knowledge Media Institute, the Open University’s technology Research and Innovation centre, and the President of STI International, a semantics focused networking organization. He has published over 280 refereed articles in the areas of semantics, the Web, distributed ledgers and eLearning.
Prof. Domingue served as the leader of the first of five themes, on University Learners, for the £40M Institute of Coding which aimed to increase the number and diversity of computing graduates in the UK as well as enhancing the connection between university teaching and corporate training. In 2017 Prof Domingue’s research in blockchains and education was referenced in the Joint Research Centre Policy Report Blockchain in Education for the European Commission. Prof. Domingue has given many talks on his work including at the Royal Institution in 2018, at TEDx and most recently featured in THE Campus on interdisciplinary research teams.
The start of 2022 saw a new project to develop smart national educational content platform (VocTeach Platform), embedding the latest AI techniques, to support FE educators was initiated with John Domingue serving as the overall project lead.
In 2019, he became a Fellow of the British Blockchain Association. In 2020, he became an honorary Professor at Amity University.
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Jo Kearney
Global Head – Leadership & Learning, Majid Al Futtaim, United Arab Emirates
Jo Kearney is the global head of learning and leadership development at Majid Al Futtaim and is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company’s learning leadership development ambition developing the incredible Majid talent into the leaders needed for tomorrow.
Having joined Majid Al Futtaim in 2023, Jo drives innovative and hands-on leadership development programmes to foster an environment of empowerment and growth. Her ambition is to inspire others to lift as they rise, developing their teams, delighting their customers, enabling communities and improving the planet, celebrating the cherished Majid Al Futtaim culture based on the company’s core values – to be bold, passionate and together. Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Its people curate exceptional experiences and extraordinary connections that make its real estate, retail and leisure and entertainment brands burst with energy.
With more than 18 years of multi-industry and cross functional Human Capital experience across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Jo has extensive private and public-sector experience. During her career, she has led teams to drive learning and leadership agendas for globally recognised organisations such as Accenture, Facebook, the Boots Walgreen Alliance, Al Tayer, EDF Energy, Microsoft, Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, and public sector bodies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, the UK and Australia.
Jo is a positive psychology coach, LUMA design thinker, board director, certified nutritional therapist and passionate advocate for the conscious consumption of clothing.
Edubadges Unveiled: From Design to Application. A Pilot at Utrecht University
Date Friday, Nov 24 Time –
Edubadges Unveiled: From Design to Application. A Pilot at Utrecht University
Step into the realm of digital credentialing with "Edubadges Unveiled: Navigating Design to Application." Edubadges, the modern frontier of showcasing skills and knowledge, take center stage. They're awarded via the secure and reliable, national SURF platform, which is accessible to all higher education institutions in the Netherlands. Join us to explore their journey from conception to real-world applicability.
- Pilot Insights: Experience a Utrecht University case study that brings edubadges to life.
- Aligning Ambitions: Connect global aspirations with local goals.
- Concrete Showcases: Discover edubadges in action through Utrecht's courses.
- Interactive Exploration: Collaboratively map existing badge successes and potential courses.
- Global Exchange: Anticipate cross-border collaborations for badge sharing.
What Awaits You:
- Practical Piloting: Real-world tactics for edubadge integration.
- Alignment Mastery: Linking badges to broader education and labor market ambitions.
- Concrete Cases: Utrecht's badge-awarded courses as templates.
- Interactive Exchange: Sharing insights, fostering partnerships, and paving the way for international badge collaboration.
Unlock the potential of edubadges, from concept to classroom. Join this immersive workshop to ignite interaction, spark knowledge sharing, and foster partnerships that pave the path for a badge-driven future.
Aleid de Jong
Project Lead & Educational Advisor, Utrecht University (Centre for Academic Teaching and Learning), Netherlands
Aleid de Jong works as a project lead and educational advisor at the Centre for Academic Teaching and Learning (CAT) at Utrecht University (UU), the Netherlands. The CAT supports, facilitates and advises university teachers from all faculties in further improving and innovating their courses. Aleid is passionate about connecting university education to society, to make sure that the university can provide students and other learners with the knowledge and skills they need in a rapidly changing world.
At the CAT Aleid leads the pilot project ‘edubadges’. Edubadges are digital certificates that show you have acquired certain skills or knowledge. Edubadges are awarded digitally via the secure and reliable SURF platform (https://www.surf.nl/en/edubadges-issuing-digital-certificates-to-studen…). In the pilot project edubadges, the university tests the award of edubadges and researches the added value of edubadges according to teachers and learners. As a project lead of the project edubadges, Aleid connects people from different departments within the university to realise the overall project goals: privacy, security, IT, education policy, teaching staff and learners. Furthermore, she makes sure that the project aligns with (inter)national developments with regards to continuous education, flexibilization in education and enhancing the transition to the labour market.
Paula Amiama
Global Lead & Product Owner, DB Schenker, Germany
Paula Amiama is a passionate storyteller and engaging speaker, known for her profound insights at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and education. Born in Argentina and raised in Canada, and currently based in Germany, she possesses a global perspective that fuels her drive to bring about sustainable transformations.
With over 10 years of experience across diverse industries, Paula's non-linear career path and dedication to continuous learning have become her superpower. Her journey includes stops in start-ups, non-profits, and large corporates, leading marketing, innovation, and sustainability efforts. Her ability to bridge knowledge and experiences from different fields provides her with a unique perspective and approach to tackle complex challenges.
Currently, as the global lead for Skilling & Learning products at a prominent logistics provider, Paula leverages her diverse background to design innovative and impactful learning experiences and foster a learning culture.
Driven by her passion for building a thriving world for all, Paula sees learning as the key to unlock society's greatest challenges. Understanding that learning is innate to being human and personal development happens throughout our lives, she strives to spark curiosity in others and reignite the joy of learning. Paula believes that by being intentional about learning, individuals can accelerate their transformation and tap into their full potential.
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Going Beyond "We Need a Learning Culture” - Evidence-driven Transformation to a Future-oriented Learning Approach at Deutsche Bahn
Date Friday, Nov 24 Time –
Going Beyond "We Need a Learning Culture” - Evidence-driven Transformation to a Future-oriented Learning Approach at Deutsche Bahn
Digital transformation and boundary-less work have led Deutsche Bahn AG to transform their approach to learning, with the aim to create a sustainable learning ecosystem that is future-oriented, personalised, and engaging for all employees.
To support their transformation process, DB AG has collected data on their learners and investigated organisational factors that support learning. In this Panel Discussion, they will share insights from their dataset of about 3,000 learners.
Key elements of the session will be attention to the learning needs of blue-collar workers, practical insights for other companies, and assessing learning culture through a validated instrument.
Speakers will include:
- Ulrike Stodt, Chief Expert Education, Deutsche Bahn AG
- Johannes Ayrle, Learning Expert, Deutsche Bahn AG
- Prof. Dr. Anja Schmitz, Pforzheim University
Co-authors of the research project conducted for Deutsche Bahn AG are:
- Dr. Julian Decius, Bremen University
- Prof. Dr. Timo Kortsch, Denkverstärker
The panel discussion offers practical insights for supporting a large-scale learning transformation, including learning culture and LXP implementation. Participants will gain an understanding of key elements and success factors for transforming learning in large organisations, as well as the role of organisational factors in supporting learning.
Prof. Dr. Anja Schmitz
Professor HRM, Pforzheim University, Unknown
Anja Schmitz is a professor and program director of the master's program in Human Resource Management at Pforzheim University. In her research she investigates how learning in organizations is changing and how learners can best be supported. As a speaker and author she focuses on the topics of new work, new learning and learning ecosystems She is involved as an advisory board member in various organizations, e.g. the Global Advisory Board of Online Educa Berlin (OEB), the Advisory Board and the Think Tank Learning of the Zukunft Personal trade fair. Prior to her appointment, she held various positions in the areas of human resources and organizational development.
Further information on New Work & New Learning: https://learningdevelopment.institute/home/learning-development-institu…
Johannes Ayrle
Learning Expert, Deutsche Bahn AG, Germany
Nicola Vollmar
Learning & Development Consultant, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund, Germany
Nicola Vollmar is a a part-time employee at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund (department of computer science and the Institute for the Digital Transformation of Application and Living Domains) and she also continues to work as a corporate Learning and Development Consultant:
She started as a trainer and lecturer in adult education in 2003 while incorporating the experience from her former employments in national and international management contexts. Her portfolio has gradually developed concerning means and methods of learning and she advises nowadays as an Expert on New Learning Technologies and a Certified European E-Learning Manager. A holistic view and the strategic approach to the subject matter is based on her Master degree in Leadership and Management.
Ronald Owston
Research Associate, Contact North | Contact Nord, Canada
Dr Ron Owston is Research Associate, AI in Higher Education, at Contact North I Contact Nord where he plays a pivotal role in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of two AI ground-breaking tools: AI Tutor Pro and AI Teaching Assistant Pro, He will launch the tools at OEB.
AI Tutor Pro is designed to support students in achieving a high level of knowledge and understanding in any subject. Students can select their topic of interest and engage in a dynamic conversation with AI Tutor Pro. The tool starts by posing thought-provoking questions to spark students' curiosity and engagement. They can choose the level of tutoring they need, whether introductory, intermediate, or advanced. The dialogue with AI Tutor Pro involves open-ended questions and responses, fostering an interactive and engaging learning experience. Students can even save a summary of the conversation for future reference, enabling them to revisit important insights and concepts.
AI Teaching Assistant Pro is a tool developed to assist faculty and instructors in automating routine teaching tasks, saving them valuable time. With AI Teaching Assistant Pro, instructors can effortlessly generate multiple-choice quizzes and essay questions on any topic. They can create course syllabi, produce teaching notes, and develop lecture materials. The tool also streamlines the preparation process by helping instructors build content for presentation slides, ensuring engaging and informative classroom experiences.
Dr Owston is also University Professor Emeritus, former Dean of Education, and founding Director of the Institute for Research in Learning Technologies at York University (Canada).
A pioneer in educational technology research, he has spoken at numerous national and international conferences about blended and online learning, authored/co-authored some 50 commissioned studies, and published over 60 articles in top-tier journals. Dr. Owston ranks among the most cited blended learning researchers globally according to Google Scholar.
Contact North | Contact Nord is a non-profit organization that supports rural, remote, and Indigenous higher education students in northern Ontario, Canada. The organization's mandate includes the support of innovation in education and training through testing and applied research of new modes of delivery using technology and the sharing of results and tools worldwide.
Dr Owston can be reached at @email.