Prof. Yutaro Ohashi

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

Yutaro Ohashi graduated from the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University. Later, he was awarded the Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (PD) and worked for Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and served as a visiting scholar at the University of Helsinki. He currently holds professorship in the Department of Information and Communications Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, Yutaro Ohashi has been actively involved in English and information media education. He is particularly interested in learning environments designed by learners, and he has received numerous awards for his work in non-traditional learning environments (e.g., zoos, aquariums, and architectural schools for children). His wide-ranging interests span from pedagogical aspects of the information society to information and game design and how education continues to evolve in an advanced information society. Recently, he has authored several papers addressing the evaluation of creative learning processes in university education, with an emphasis on engineering education. These research accomplishments have earned him recognition and awards, such as the encouragement and research presentation awards from the Japanese Society for Engineering Education.

Title: Reviewing the effectiveness and challenges of the GIGA School Program implemented in Japan
Abstract: With the spread of the COVID-19 from 2020, the GIGA School Program was implemented in Japan ahead of schedule. This large-scale government-led program focuses on “developing an ICT environment, such as ‘one terminal per student,’ to realize individualized and collaborative learning that draws out the potential of all children living in the Society 5.0 era.” In this presentation, I will examine what effect the plan has had and what challenges remain for the future.

 

Assoc. Prof. Anuchai Theeraroungchaisri

Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Dr. Anuchai Theeraroungchaisri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University. Additionally, he serves as the Deputy Director of Thailand Cyber University at the Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education. Moreover, he holds the position of Deputy Director at the College of Pharmacy Administration of Thailand. He gots a bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and pursued further education at Chulalongkorn University, where he earned a master's degree in Computer Sciences and a Ph.D. in Educational and Communication Technology. With his role as the deputy director of the Thailand Cyber University Project, he has overseen several significant initiatives, such as Thai MOOC (Thailand Massive Open Online Courses), The Higher Education Credit Bank System, TCU-Globe (Interoperability among the learning object repository network, enabling search through a single query), e-Learning Professional Development (the pioneering fully online training certificate program). In 2022, he was recognized as the "Most Valuable Person in Educational Technology 2022" by the Thai Association of Education and Communication Technology, as announced during the 35th Annual Conference of Thailand Educational and Communication Technology. Furthermore, in 2019 he received the "Outstanding Pharmacist in Pharmacy Education 2019" award from The Pharmacy Council of Thailand. His research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including MOOC Policy, Academic credit bank and credit transfer, Learning Design, Online Pedagogy, e-Portfolio, Technology-Enhanced Learning, Learning analytics, and Health Informatics.

Title: Bridging Learning Gaps with Global Collaborations and Data-driven Innovations: Case Study from Thai National Digital Learning Platform (Thai MOOC)
Abstract: This presentation explores how the Thai National Digital Learning Platform, known as Thai MOOC, is pioneering innovative approaches to bridge learning gaps. Through global collaborations and data-driven strategies, Thai MOOC has evolved since its 2016 launch into a comprehensive lifelong learning ecosystem, serving over 2 million learners across diverse demographics. We will showcase Thai MOOC's journey in addressing educational challenges through key innovations:

1. Academic Credit Bank System: Learn how Thai MOOC is revolutionizing credential recognition and credit accumulation, making education more flexible and accessible for learners at all stages of life.

2. Global Collaborations: Discover Thai MOOC's partnerships with international platforms like JMOOC, KMOOC, ICE, and the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance, fostering cross-cultural learning experiences and expanding educational opportunities for Thai learners.

3. Data-Driven Platform Enhancement: Explore how Thai MOOC leverages data mining techniques to optimize user experience, improve course offerings, and increase learner engagement.

4. AI-Language Translation: Understand how Thai MOOC utilizes AI language models, voice recognition, and voice synthesis to enable MOOC course exchanges, benefiting learners without language barriers.

The presentation will feature case studies demonstrating the platform's impact across various sectors, including higher education, professional development, and public service training. We'll discuss how these innovations are reshaping Thailand's educational landscape and contributing to the development of a knowledge-based society.