Ka Ian Chan | Educational Technology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Ka Ian Chan | Educational Technology | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate, Macao Polytechnic University, Macau

Ka Ian Chan is an emerging researcher in Educational Technology and Educational Data Mining. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Applied Technology at Macao Polytechnic University, Ka Ian is passionate about improving learning experiences through innovative technological applications. His research focuses on student performance visualization, gamification in language learning, and privacy-respecting educational systems. He has actively contributed to academic conferences such as TALE, ICETT, and ICEMT, earning recognition for his presentations. Ka Ian also engages in student leadership and international academic exchanges, which have enriched his cross-disciplinary insights. His collaborative projects reflect his dedication to enhancing education through data-driven approaches. With a strong background in big data, the Internet of Things, and computer education, Ka Ian continues to explore practical, scalable solutions to modern educational challenges. His commitment to education, research excellence, and technological innovation positions him as a rising scholar in the field.

Professional profile

🎓 Education

Ka Ian Chan has pursued his entire higher education journey at Macao Polytechnic University. Currently, he is enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy program in Computer Applied Technology (2022–Present), where his research emphasizes educational data mining and student performance analytics. Prior to this, he completed his Master of Science in Big Data and Internet of Things (2020–2022), equipping him with advanced skills in large-scale data processing and IoT integration in education. His undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science in Computing with a specialization in Computer Education (2016–2020), laid the foundation for his interests in educational technology and digital learning platforms. Through his diverse academic training, Ka Ian developed a multi-dimensional expertise that bridges educational systems with cutting-edge computational techniques. His educational path has consistently aligned with his research focus, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to leveraging technology to improve learning environments and outcomes.

💼 Experience

Ka Ian Chan has accumulated valuable academic and professional experience centered on education and technology. Since 2022, he has been working as a Part-time Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and Public Exam Student Helper at Macao Polytechnic University, where he supports both teaching and assessment activities. His earlier roles include serving as an IT Assistant at Colégio de Santa Rosa de Lima – Secção Chinesa (2020–2021), where he provided technical support and educational IT services. During his undergraduate studies, he completed an internship as a Computer Teacher at Macau Kung Luen Vocational & Technical Middle School (2019–2020), contributing to the delivery of computing courses. Beyond formal roles, Ka Ian has been actively involved in student organizations, including serving as a Management Member of the FCA Student Union. His experience reflects a strong blend of teaching, technical expertise, and leadership within educational settings, all closely tied to his research interests.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Ka Ian Chan has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards throughout his academic journey. In 2022, he received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the International Conference on Education and Multimedia Technology (ICEMT), acknowledging the quality and impact of his research on student learning performance. He won the Gold Award at the 24th Moscow International Salon of Inventions and Innovative Technologies «ARCHIMEDES» in 2021 for his inventive contributions. His innovative mindset was also rewarded with a Third Prize in the 6th China International College Students’ ‘Internet+’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in 2020. Furthermore, between 2018 and 2020, he consistently secured First Prize and Practical Value Awards at the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region Universities IT Project Competition. These accolades demonstrate his ability to deliver high-quality, applicable research and showcase his leadership and excellence in educational technology innovation on both regional and international platforms.

🔍 Research Focus

Ka Ian Chan’s research is primarily focused on Educational Technology and Educational Data Mining. He investigates how data-driven approaches can enhance educational environments, with particular interest in student performance visualization, gamification in language learning, and the application of Bayesian methods to track multi-skill learning progress. His studies aim to improve parent-teacher communication through innovative tools like radar visualization and to develop privacy-respecting systems that safeguard student identities in educational settings. Ka Ian also explores how gamification strategies can motivate students, particularly in the context of language acquisition. His research bridges big data, IoT, and educational psychology, seeking practical applications that can be seamlessly integrated into schools. His interdisciplinary approach not only advances academic understanding but also offers tangible solutions for educators, learners, and policymakers. Through his work, Ka Ian is contributing to a more personalized, engaging, and efficient educational experience powered by technology and intelligent data analysis.

📚 Publication Top Notes

1.Title: Exploring the Factors and Moderators Influencing the Use of Radar Visualisation of Student Performance from Parents’ Perspective
Authors: Ka Ian Chan, Patrick Cheong-Iao Pang, Wei Wei
Conference: TALE 2023
Summary: This study examines the factors that influence how parents perceive and utilize radar visualization tools to monitor their children’s academic performance. The research highlights key moderators affecting user acceptance and offers insights for designing parent-friendly educational dashboards.

2.Title: A Literature Review on Educational Data Mining with Secondary School Data
Authors: Ka Ian Chan, Philip I.S. Lei, Patrick Cheong-Iao Pang
Conference: ICETT 2023
Summary: This review consolidates existing research on educational data mining focusing on secondary school datasets. It identifies trends, challenges, and gaps in current methodologies, offering a roadmap for future research in this niche domain.

3.Title: Tracing Students’ Learning Performance on Multiple Skills using Bayesian Methods
Authors: Ka Ian Chan, Rita Tse, Philip I.S. Lei
Conference: ICEMT 2022
Summary: This award-winning paper presents a Bayesian-based approach to track and predict student learning progress across multiple skill areas. The model provides real-time feedback, improving the adaptability of learning systems to individual student needs.

4.Title: Applying Gamification in Portuguese Learning
Authors: Ka Ian Chan, Ngai Seng Chan, Su-Kit Tang, Rita Tse
Conference: ICIET 2021
Summary: This research explores the integration of gamification techniques into Portuguese language learning, demonstrating that game-based elements significantly increase student engagement and motivation.

5.Title: ReSPEcT: Privacy Respecting Thermal Based Specific Person Recognition
Authors: Ngai Seng Chan, Ka Ian Chan, Rita Tse, Su-Kit Tang, Giovanni Pau
Conference: ICDIP 2021
Summary: This study introduces a thermal-based recognition system that preserves privacy while accurately identifying specific individuals in educational and public settings.

Conclusion

Ka Ian Chan presents a strong candidacy for a Best Researcher Award at an early-career level. His consistent research output, interdisciplinary focus, recognized presentations, and emerging citation record demonstrate high potential. While building further on journal publications, international partnerships, and research funding would elevate his profile even more, his current achievements make him a competitive nominee, particularly for awards focused on promising young researchers or contributions to educational technology.

Santiago Alonso García | Educational technology | Top Researcher Award

Dr. Santiago Alonso García | Educational technology | Top Researcher Award

University of Granada, Spain

Santiago Alonso-García has over fifteen years of experience across the entire educational spectrum—from early childhood to higher education. He holds a Ph.D. in Didactics and School Organization from the University of Granada and has served as a Tenured Professor there since 2019. His previous roles include research and teaching positions at the University of Seville (2016–2019) and the University of Castilla-La Mancha (2008–2013). This diverse academic journey has given him insight into the educational, personal, and social challenges faced by different communities. His research and professional practice focus on pedagogical innovation, inclusive practices, and the integration of digital technologies and gamification in education. Santiago leads and collaborates on applied research projects, working toward educational transformation through organizational co-leadership, faculty training, and evidence-based strategies that aim to generate meaningful and sustainable impact in schools and communities.

Professional Profile

Education

Santiago Alonso-García earned his Ph.D. in Didactics and School Organization from the University of Granada (October 2008–December 2012), focusing on collaborative teaching practices to enhance school management. During his postgraduate studies, he explored educational leadership, digital transformation in classrooms, and inclusive pedagogy. He engaged in national and international seminars and conferences, building a strong academic and professional network. Santiago’s academic background combines rigorous theoretical training with hands-on experience in developing digital tools and strategic models for educational improvement. His deep knowledge of the Spanish and Latin American educational systems allows him to tailor innovative models to diverse socio-cultural and institutional contexts.

Experience

Since 2019, Santiago has served as a Tenured Professor in Didactics and School Organization at the University of Granada, where he teaches, supervises theses, and designs courses focused on educational innovation and school leadership. From 2016 to 2019, he was a researcher and faculty member at the University of Seville, working on projects related to digital competencies in teacher education. Previously, he taught at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (2008–2013), focusing on active learning, gamification, and computational thinking in early childhood. Across all roles, he has led or co-led innovation and inclusion projects, collaborated with regional and national education agencies, and provided training for in-service teachers. He also serves as an academic evaluator for European and Spanish research agencies, highlighting his recognized expertise in educational management and innovation.

Research Focus

Santiago’s research focuses on the intersection of educational innovation, digital competencies, and school leadership. He investigates how artificial intelligence and digital tools enhance teacher training, inclusive learning environments, and organizational improvement. His core topics include teacher self-efficacy, parental involvement, gamification, and early childhood computational thinking. He has published extensively on digital competence assessment in higher education and the integration of technology in pedagogical practices. Santiago also explores the challenges and opportunities of Society 5.0 in Latin America, with a particular focus on Ecuador. His projects combine quantitative and qualitative methods—such as structural modeling and validated questionnaires—to provide evidence-based solutions for sustainable educational development. His ultimate goal is to bridge theory and practice to improve learning outcomes and empower educational communities.

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Artificial Intelligence Adoption Amongst Digitally Proficient Trainee Teachers: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach”

    • Social Sciences, 2025

    • [DOI: 10.3390/socsci14060355]
      🔍 Uses SEM to explore how future teachers adopt AI tools in their practice.

  2. “A Systematic Review of Digital Competence Evaluation in Higher Education”

    • Education Sciences, 2024

    • [DOI: 10.3390/educsci14111181]
      📘 Presents a comprehensive review and proposes an integrative model for assessing digital competence.

  3. “Analysis of Self‑Perceived Digital Competences in Future Educators: A Study at the University of Granada”

    • Journal of Technology and Science Education, 2024

    • [DOI: 10.3926/jotse.2521]
      💻 Surveys trainee teachers’ digital skills using a mixed-methods approach.

  4. “Digital Teaching: Specific Competencies in University Professors”

    • Hachetetepé, 2023

    • [DOI: 10.25267/Hachetetepe.2023.i26.1104]
      🧠 Explores key digital competencies needed for effective higher education teaching.

  5. “Robotics in Early Childhood Education: Introducing Computational Thinking”

    • Book Chapter, 2023
      🤖 Proposes robotics-based activities to foster logic and problem-solving in young learners.

Conclusion

Dr. Santiago Alonso-García demonstrates exemplary qualifications for a Top Researcher Award, with his strong academic background, prolific output, global collaboration, and focus on innovation and societal relevance. With minor enhancements in interdisciplinary engagement and global-scale project leadership, he would not only be a deserving recipient but also an enduring contributor to the international academic community.

 

 

Prof.Gwo-Jen Hwang | Educational Technology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Gwo-Jen Hwang | Educational Technology | Best Researcher Award

Professor, National Taichung University of Education, Taiwan

Gwo-Jen Hwang is a prominent Chair Professor at National Taichung University of Education and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Taiwan. He holds a PhD from National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, and has an illustrious career focused on educational technology, mobile and ubiquitous learning, flipped classrooms, game-based learning, and AI applications in education. His extensive research output includes over 400 journal papers indexed by SSCI/SCI. With a global reputation, Gwo-Jen is the Editor-in-Chief of multiple influential journals, including Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence, and serves as a lead editor and associate editor for several others. He has led more than 150 academic projects and has contributed significantly to shaping the future of education through his innovative approaches to learning environments, technologies, and methodologies.

Profile

Education

Gwo-Jen Hwang received his PhD from National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, specializing in educational technology. He has since become a leading academic figure, influencing the educational landscape globally. His academic journey led him to significant roles such as Chair Professor at both National Taichung University of Education and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Dr. Hwang’s research integrates advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, mobile learning, and ubiquitous learning into education, striving to improve learning outcomes and methodologies. His academic foundation in educational measurement and digital learning is paired with a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical applications of learning technologies. Through his dedication to continuous research, innovation, and teaching excellence, he has profoundly impacted education systems, pushing the boundaries of digital and interactive learning.

Experience

Gwo-Jen Hwang has an exceptional academic and professional career, contributing significantly to the field of educational technology. As Chair Professor at prestigious universities in Taiwan, he holds leadership positions that influence both the research and development of educational technologies. His experience includes leading over 150 research projects, many funded by national and international grants, in areas like mobile learning, AI, and flipped classrooms. With extensive editorial roles, including Editor-in-Chief of several top educational journals, he has influenced the dissemination of cutting-edge research in education. His work spans multiple disciplines within educational technology, with a focus on the development and application of ubiquitous learning environments, collaborative learning tools, and AI-powered educational systems. Through consultancy projects in various industries, he applies his research findings to real-world settings, impacting fields such as healthcare and professional training. His expertise has established him as a global leader in the integration of technology into education.

Research Focus

Dr. Gwo-Jen Hwang’s research primarily revolves around educational technologies that enhance learning experiences. His main areas of focus include mobile and ubiquitous learning, flipped learning, game-based learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Through his research, Hwang aims to bridge the gap between physical and digital learning environments, creating more interactive and adaptive systems. His work emphasizes personalized, collaborative, and inquiry-based learning models that leverage new technologies to promote active student engagement and improve learning outcomes. By integrating AI into educational systems, he investigates how intelligent tools can support personalized learning paths, feedback mechanisms, and assessments. Additionally, his research into flipped classrooms aims to revolutionize traditional educational structures, providing learners with more control over their educational experiences. Dr. Hwang is also exploring the potential of immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality to transform learning environments, particularly in healthcare and professional training.

Publication

  1. A formative assessment-based mobile learning approach to improving the learning attitudes and achievements of students 📱✏️
  2. Vision, challenges, roles, and research issues of Artificial Intelligence in Education 🤖📚
  3. A self-regulated flipped classroom approach to improving students’ learning performance in a mathematics course 🔄🧮
  4. Criteria, strategies, and research issues of context-aware ubiquitous learning 🌐📖
  5. An augmented reality-based mobile learning system to improve students’ learning achievements and motivations in natural science inquiry activities 🌟🔬
  6. Seamless flipped learning: A mobile technology-enhanced flipped classroom with effective learning strategies 📱🎓
  7. Application and theory gaps during the rise of artificial intelligence in education 🧠💻
  8. Research trends in mobile and ubiquitous learning: A review of publications in selected journals from 2001 to 2010 📘📱
  9. A collaborative game-based learning approach to improving students’ learning performance in science courses 🎮🔬
  10. A project-based digital storytelling approach for improving students’ learning motivation, problem-solving competence, and learning achievement 🎬📈