Personal Reflections: 8th International Academic Conference on Education

Live reflections below

As I reflect day one of on the 8th International Academic Conference on Education (IACEDUCATION) held in Oxford from August 23-25, 2024, I am filled with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. This conference was not just an event, but a convergence of minds, ideas, and shared commitments to the future of education. Being part of this event allowed me to connect with fellow educators, researchers, and thought leaders who, like me, are passionate about pushing the boundaries of education.

The Citizen Entrepreneur Explorers Program (CEEP), which I have been deeply involved in, aims to foster empathy and self-efficacy among students in business and art education. These qualities are essential for enhancing retention rates and overall student success, as evidenced by the findings of our specialized curriculum over the past six years. The diverse presentations at IACEDUCATION offered invaluable insights into how similar goals are being pursued in various educational contexts worldwide. Below, I share a brief reflection on each talk, highlighting its relevance to CEEP and its potential contributions to our ongoing efforts.

Conference Organizers

First, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers:

Acavent: Their meticulous planning and dedication to academic excellence made this event possible. As a global organizer of scientific conferences, Acavent ensured that our discussions were rich, productive, and forward-looking.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Olga Gould-Yakovleva, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.A. (Eastern New Mexico University, USA) Presentation Topic: Dialogic Approach to Teaching and Learning: From Theory to Practice Reflection: Dr. Gould’s emphasis on dialogic teaching resonates with CEEP’s focus on empathy, as both approaches encourage understanding and reflection through active engagement with others' perspectives.

Oral Presentations: Day 1

Prof. Dr. Crystal Cook, Ed.D (USA) Talk: Examining the Literacy Practices of Deaf Elementary Students in their Homes Reflection: Prof. Cook’s work emphasizes the importance of inclusive education, which aligns with CEEP’s goal to cater to diverse learning needs by fostering empathy and understanding among all students.

Prof. Dr. Shane Snipes (USA) Talk: The Impact of the Specialized Experiential Learning on Empathy, Self-Efficacy, and Retention Factors in Business and Art Education Reflection: As the author of this research, I am proud to see how the data supports CEEP’s mission. Our findings demonstrate that cultivating empathy and self-efficacy significantly enhances retention and academic performance.

Prof SHAWN Cradit, Ed.D., MS, MA, ATC, C-EP (USA) Talk: “Wait, What?” Combining Physical Activity and Data Science for a Higher Education Interdisciplinary Course Reflection: Prof. Cradit’s innovative approach to interdisciplinary education mirrors CEEP’s efforts to integrate diverse skill sets, enhancing students’ self-efficacy by bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Prof. Dr. Robert Walter Dumisani Zondo (South Africa) Talk: Innovative Practice in Research Proposal Development: the 21st Century Initiative for Management Sciences in the Higher Education Sector Reflection: The innovative practices discussed by Prof. Zondo can inspire similar initiatives within CEEP, promoting critical thinking and self-efficacy in the proposal development stages of entrepreneurial projects.

Dr. Qasim Alshannag (UAE) Talk: Associations between Conceptions of Learning Science, Computer Self-Efficacy, and Science Achievement among Eighth-Grade Students in Dubai Reflection: Dr. Alshannag’s focus on self-efficacy in learning science underscores a key principle of CEEP—that belief in one’s capabilities is crucial across all disciplines, not just business and art.

Dr Khalegh Barati (Australia) Talk: Student Engagement in Higher Education: Dimensions, Indicators, and Measurement Methods Reflection: Understanding how to measure and enhance student engagement, as discussed by Dr. Barati, directly supports CEEP’s objectives of fostering an environment where students feel connected and empowered.

aregawi Gidey Messele (Ethiopia) Talk: Post-test Analysis of Chemistry Achievement Test Used for the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination (2020) Reflection: While focused on a different context, Messele’s findings on assessment could inform how we evaluate the impact of CEEP on academic performance and retention.

Tunzala Rzayeva (Azerbaijan) Talk: Technological Formation Competencies Levels of EFL Teachers in the Scope of Technology Supported Teacher Development Reflection: Rzayeva’s emphasis on technology-supported development aligns with CEEP’s use of AI to enhance personalized learning, supporting our efforts to improve self-efficacy through tailored educational experiences.

Dr. Larysa Liashenko (Ukraine) Talk: Fostering Intercultural Competence and Constructivist Learning in the English for Academic Purposes Virtual Environments Reflection: Dr. Liashenko’s work on intercultural competence is essential for CEEP’s holistic approach, which aims to foster empathy across diverse cultural backgrounds.

Fernando Mu?oz (Chile) Talk: A Case Study on Students’ Experiences and Factors Influencing Their Effective Use of ChatGPT in L2 Writing Feedback Process Reflection: The use of AI in education, as discussed by Mu?oz, provides insights for CEEP’s ongoing exploration of AI tools to enhance personalized learning and feedback.

Dr. Angela Choi Fung Tam (Hong Kong) Talk: Professional Immersion for Effective Adult English Training Reflection: Dr. Tam’s focus on professional immersion parallels CEEP’s experiential learning model, emphasizing real-world applications to build self-efficacy.

Hilda Kodzoe-Bonto (Ghana) Talk: The Shibboleths of The Kusaal Speakers of English as A Second Language in Ghana Reflection: Kodzoe-Bonto’s exploration of language barriers reinforces the importance of empathy in educational settings, which is a core focus of CEEP.

Srini Sandhya Murali (India) Talk: An Inclusive Study of Right Brain Education in Learning English Language Reflection: Murali’s work on right-brain education supports the idea that fostering creativity and emotional intelligence, as done in CEEP, can lead to enhanced learning outcomes.

Dr. Haya Fayyad (Palestine) Talk: Investigating Incorporating Resistance and Empowerment-Oriented Pedagogies into Teaching English as a Foreign Language in the Palestinian Context Reflection: Abuhussein’s empowerment-oriented pedagogies align with CEEP’s aim to build self-efficacy, particularly in challenging educational contexts.

Sara Fine-Meltzer (Israel) Talk: Teaching English Academic Vocabulary in a Distinctly Multicultural Environment Reflection: Fine-Meltzer’s work highlights the need for empathy in multicultural classrooms, a principle that CEEP emphasizes in its curriculum.

Now time for a lunch break!

The insights and connections made so far during the conference has not only reinforced the importance of CEEP’s objectives but have also provided new avenues for enhancing our program. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to present and learn from such a distinguished group of colleagues. Together, we continue to push the boundaries of education, ensuring that empathy, self-efficacy, and holistic learning remain at the forefront of our efforts.

Thank you to all the organizers, speakers, and participants for making this event a truly enriching experience. I look forward to continuing our shared journey toward educational excellence.