Keynote Speakers

Title: STEM Diversity in 21st Century and a Case Study of Home-Based STEM Platform Using Portable Learning Technologies in Macao

Prof. Ken Kam Weng Tam
Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies), Faculty of Science and Technology;
Director, Centre for Science and Engineering Promotion
University of Macau

Professor Ken Kam Weng Tam is Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is responsible for the Centre for Science and Engineering, which is based in the University of Macau and aims to promote STEM education through optimizing the usage of research resources and STEM resources with schools in Macau and to strengthen the literacy of students in Macau in science and their awareness of popular science. The Centre provides all-in-one STEM training and competitions for secondary teachers and students in Macau on STEM education.

Keynote address

In this talk, the diversity and development of STEM education in 21st century are reviewed including Macao’s experience like the University of Macau’s research-oriented STEM platform together with some successful stories of high schools’ STEM achievements in collaboration. One of STEM education diversities is about the emerging portable learning technology. This enabling technology including computer-based instrumentation and measurement has gradually become common in classrooms and laboratories, but few trials have been made to apply them for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning at home in order to improve students’ STEM engagement, exploration and practice. As a case study of STEM diversity, a home-based STEM platform for fractional order impedance characterization of some botanical materials like potatoes is presented. This platform was tested by the students in Macao during the epidemic period from late January to early May 2020. Due to the unexpected worldwide coronavirus impact, all regular classes were suspended and only online teaching was available. It was found that this platform provides an effective and attractive learning approach at home. This home-based STEM platform is also a welcoming tool for emerging smart learning applications.

Title: Universal Design for Learning and the Modern Age of STEAM Education

Prof. James Basham
Professor, School of Education
University of Kansas

Professor James Basham, is currently a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. He earned his doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Professor Basham's research is focused on student learning in modern learning environments chiefly related to the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). He is well published, has given numerous talks, and has served as a consultant for school districts, universities, state agencies, and corporate entities on modern learning environments, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education, big data, personalization, and UDL. Professor Basham serves on editorial boards for various journals and was a co-guest editor for the Journal of Special Education Technology topical issue on STEM education for individuals with diverse learning needs. Beyond journals, he serves on the ISTE SETSIG executive board and the SXSWedu Advisory Board. Finally, Professor Basham is a cofounder of the global UDL Implementation Research Network (UDL-IRN).

As we consider the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and issues of modernity, including the current pandemic, there is a need to redesign the traditional education system. The future of humanity requires a globally focused citizenry that supports dynamic interdisciplinary and systems level thinking, innovation, and creativity as a more rapidly evolving and pluralistic existence shapes the human experience. The future of learning relies on educators developing and adopting flexible crosscutting approaches designed for all learners. A critical consideration in this evolution is supporting education systems to move past the rigid structures associated with the siloed academic discipline and one-size-fits-all model of education to a dynamic system that is flexible and more personalized for all learners. To support this future, education systems must consider how to develop learning environments and experiences that interweave learning across science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. This talk will highlight how UDL provides a strong foundational design framework for the future of education across STEAM learning experiences. Examples, research, and resources will be provided as educators, education leaders, and university academics consider the future of learning design.