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 🎬📈