Date: February 21, 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Hong Kong Time)
Mode: Online via Zoom in English
Registration: https://eduhk.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbAUbqBPJ51SeQ6
Young children today grow up in a digital world where technology is integral to their lives, influencing how they learn, communicate, and play. Yet, research has also shown that inappropriate exposure to technology at a young age may adversely affect children’s development. In this next Inter-Conversations hosted by Associate Professor Dr. Alfredo Bautista and moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Jana Patricia Valdez, we will explore the issues of technology integration in children’s learning and hear from the perspectives of early childhood education and EdTech practitioners and researchers about their views on technology integration to gain insights on how we can guide our young children in this digital environment.
You can also register if you wish to be notified when the Zoom recording is available for viewing.
Biography of Moderator
Dr. Jana Patricia Valdez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong. She completed her PhD in Educational Technology at The University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on two major areas: how making people happy contributes to their academic performance and how technology and being an online citizen contribute to learning. She has publications in Computers & Education, Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, and other reputable journals. In her free time, she explores various digital toys for young learners, free sites for digital creative teaching and learning such as Canva, Peardeck, and Google Jamboard, and learning ways to create free websites.
Biographies of Discussants
Dr. Weipeng Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong. His research interests include early childhood curriculum, STEAM education, robotics, and computational thinking. He has published in British Journal of Educational Technology, Teaching and Teacher Education, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Journal of Curriculum Studies and other prestigious journals.
Ms. Ellen Lau is the Director of Training at Preface. Co-founding Preface, a technology training company, Ellen is a people-focused leader who delivers talent selection, training, retention and motivation solutions. She has established the Nomad Community - the Tech Instructor Community, which empowers tech talents to harness their full potential, bridging learners from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, with trainable and digestible knowledge. She is dedicated to creating robust cultures that live the Preface motto “There isn’t a thing that cannot be learnt”, cultivating a love of learning among the instructors’ and learners’ community.
Ms. Anna Kuiti is a teaching professional with over a decade of experience in Early Years education. She is an advocate for creating enriching learning environments through play and inquiry. Currently employed at ESF Tung Chung Kindergarten, her expertise extends to leveraging technology to empower the learning experience, aligning technological advances in education with modern pedagogical approaches both inside and outside the classroom. Anna collaborates widely with technology integration leaders within Hong Kong educational networks and is passionate about working towards more seamless integration of technology in early years, ensuring that it enhances rather than hinders the developmental journey of our young learners. Her goal is to inspire positive transformations, push boundaries, and empower educators to embrace technology as an integral part of the early years landscape.
Mr. Anthony Lee is originally from Scotland and came to Hong Kong in 2007. He is a confessed “STEM guru” who trained and worked as an Electronics and Computer Engineer before becoming a kindergarten teacher and facilitator. He has a PGDE and a Master’s in STEM education and over ten years of teaching experience. Anthony brings his passion for STEM and computers into his classrooms. He is a creative educator who encourages young minds to explore different means of learning. He is constantly building new environments and encouraging students to learn in a risk-free environment. His long-term goal is to guide children to be curious, creative, and confident problem-solvers who are equipped to tackle real-world challenges.
