Emerging Technology – The Learner Awakens

Professor Curtis Ho of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa explores how students use multiple tools, including gaming, robotics and virtual learning environments, for both formal and informal learning.

Who are our learners and what are their expectations in being technologically engaged in school? When the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977, most in education were not aware of the Apple II and Radio Shack TRS-80 personal computers. Throughout the releases of other sequels and prequels of Star Wars, we have seen an exponential rise in computer use in education. As “The Force Awakens” (reference to the new Star Wars movie) the personal computer is no longer the first choice of tech tool for the millennial student. Social media is prevalent in their lives and many teachers have taken advantage of using this technology for collaborative learning. Mobile devices are ubiquitous and provide immediate access to knowledge and social learning. This presentation will explore how students use multiple tools for both formal and informal learning. The presentation will also discuss how students in Hawaii use gaming, robotics and virtual learning environments to demonstrate their knowledge and skills that are emerging in the 21st-century learning environment.

Professor Ho was a Keynote Speaker at The IAFOR International Conference on Technology in the Classroom - Hawaii 2016 (IICTCHawaii2016) in Honolulu, Hawaii.


Professor Curtis Ho

Curtis Ho is Professor, Department Chair and Graduate Chair of the Learning Design and Technology department at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. He has been a UH faculty member for over 30 years, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in educational media research, interactive multimedia, web-based instruction, distance education, video technology, and computer-based education. He has taught courses in American and Western Samoa and Saipan, and was the first to offer a course statewide over the Hawai’i Interactive Television System.

Curtis Ho received his PhD in Educational Technology from Arizona State University where he served as instructional designer. He has consulted for public and private schools, financial institutions, and higher education. For several years he directed the Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support for the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus. He has presented extensively at national and international conferences at locations including Beijing, Copenhagen, Eskisehir, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Lugano, Rome, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Melbourne, Montreal, Osaka, Panang, Taipei, Takamatsu, Tokyo, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Professor Ho was a Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator and Project Director for three US Department of Education grants totalling over 9.8 million US dollars. He is a co-organiser of TCC Worldwide Online Conference, an executive committee member of E-Learn, Association for the Advancement of Computers in Education, and is also past-President of the Pan Pacific Distance Learning Association, a chapter of the United States Distance Learning Association and of the Pacific Association for Communications and Technology, a chapter of the national Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

Posted by IAFOR