Dr. Robert M. Bernard is Professor Emeritus at Concordia University and the Leader of the Systematic Review Team at the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP). In the past 40 years, he has conducted research in educational technology and since 1995 has leveraged the methodology of meta-analysis to study feedback in computer-assisted learning, distance education, interaction in distant education, technology integration in education, online and blended learning, critical thinking, and the effects of student-centered and teacher learning. His teaching interests include research methodology and statistics, models of instruction, and technology use in classrooms, distance online, and blended learning. With his colleagues at the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, he has published numerous meta-analyses in Review of Educational Research and other high-quality research journals, as well as articles on the methodology of meta analysis and systematic review which has garnered more than 15,000 citations as of May 2023. In 2017, he retired from a 49-year career as a teacher.
Dr. Schmid is a certified psychologist and a Professor of Education and has previously served as Chair for the Department of Education at Concordia University. He is the Educational Technology Theme Leader for the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance in Montreal, Canada. His research interests include examining pedagogical strategies supported by technologies, and the cognitive/affective factors they influence. Given that educational technology is an applied field, he is active in internships and theses carried out in local, national and international communities. Dr. Schmid's work involves supervising projects in analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of learning and performance support environments in all levels of education, the private sector, not-for-profit organizations, NGOs, and government.
Dr. Tamim is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University and holds an adjunct faculty position in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University. She has a PhD in epidemiology from McGill University and a Master’s in Public Health from Emory University. Dr. Tamim has over 20 years of professional teaching experience. She has extensive expertise in research methods and statistical analyses and has managed several community-based and multi-centre projects. Dr. Tamim's research interests are numerous with a major focus on maternal and child health with a substantive publication record that has garnered her more than 10,000 citations on Google scholar as of May 2023.
Dr. Hojeij is an Associate Professor at Zayed University, Dubai, UAE. She holds an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Administration from Saint Louis University, USA. Dr. Hojeij has an extensive leadership in higher education and teacher preparation programs. She is a Blackboard Certified Specialist, a Certified Online Instructor (COI), and CELTA & CELTYL certified. In addition, she is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has taught and coordinated both undergraduate and graduate courses with extensive involvement in teacher mentoring in the UAE.
Dr. Ibrahim H. Baltagi is a lecturer at the Lebanese American University and has previously served as a professor of music education at Baldwin Wallace University. He received his Ph.D. in music education from Ohio State University. Dr. Baltagi’s certifications include the Kodály methodology from Zoltan Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemet; Orff Schulwerk training from the University of Saint Thomas, and the Ohio State University in Columbus; a diploma in clarinet performance from the Conservatoire National de Boulogne; and a two-year certification in Creating Original Opera Program from Yale University and the Metropolitan Opera of New York. Dr.Baltagi’s extensive experience includes offering numerous workshops in Lebanon,Syria, Jordan, UAE, Malaysia, Cyprus and the United States; as well as publishing a number of articles in the International Handbook of Research in Arts Education. Dr. Baltagi has published a series of music books for children in French, English, and Arabic entitled Let’s Read and Write Music and Music Garden.
Dr. Chahine is an Associate Professor of Measurement and Assessment at Queen’s University. He is a holder of a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and Education from OISE, Toronto University. Dr. Chahine is also the Managing Director of Metrein, an educational assessment, measurement, monitoring, and evaluation firm. He is an active researcher with an established publication record with expertise in psychometrics, survey design, educational change, competence-based education, international development, and health professions education.
Dr. Ghamrawi is a Professor of Educational Leadership and international trainer. She is a holder of a PhD in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Leicester, UK. Dr. Ghamrawi is a policy development, monitoring and evaluation expert endorsed by the UNESCO Paris on educational matters in the Arab States Cluster. She has extensive experience in educational management of change and leadership in educational institutions; school reviews and development of improvement plans; quality assurance and accreditation in K-12 and higher education; training of trainers (TOT) and designing training materials in various educational areas; and curriculum design, mapping, development, and review.
Dr. Jason Johnson is an Associate Professor in Mathematics Education at the Emirates College for Advanced Education in Abu Dhabi. Starting his career in the 1990s, he has vast experience in teaching and learning mathematics. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Florida State University and has worked both as a classroom teacher and a university instructor. Dr. Johnson is renowned for his scholarly contributions and has conducted professional development workshops worldwide, including in the US, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the UAE, focusing on technology integration and assessment strategies in education. His research interests lie in ethnomathematics, the use of technology in math education, and promoting social justice through equitable mathematics teaching.
Dr. van Barneveld is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University. She holds a PhD in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University. Dr. van Barneveld's 25-year career in training, learning, and development spans several sectors including higher education, non-profit, private industry such as Nortel and IBM, the Canadian federal government, and independent consulting.
In her practice, Dr. van Barneveld focuses on learners' experience by integrating evidence-based strategies. She has extensive experience in higher education online teaching and learning, with a substantive track record in supporting educational institutions in transforming learning environments from face-to-face to online and blended learning formats. Her areas of expertise also include instructional/learning design in educational and corporate contexts. Dr. van Barneveld serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE-RCIE).
Dr. Areej ElSayary, an Assistant Professor at Zayed University's College of Interdisciplinary Studies, is renowned for her contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education. She has extensive experience in curriculum design, teaching, and assessment, with notable accreditation work with NEASC, CIS, and CAEP. Dr. ElSayary, a certified Blackboard Academy associate and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, also advocates for positive psychology as Zayed University's Mental Health Ambassador, focusing on community well-being. Her research covers cognitive development, human-computer interaction, and innovative STEAM education, underlining her dedication to educational advancement and interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr. Laila Mohebi stands out in the education sector, particularly in early childhood education and the role of technology in teaching. Holding a PhD from the British University in Dubai, her focus is on leadership and educational policy. As an assistant professor at Zayed University, Dr. Mohebi is deeply involved in both teaching and research. Her scholarly contributions, highlighted by numerous publications in prestigious journals, center on utilizing technology in education, enhancing teacher training, and developing cutting-edge educational methods. Dr. Mohebi is dedicated to educational advancement, evidenced by her active participation in major projects and mentorship in teacher training initiatives. Her efforts are not just academic; they significantly influence future educational strategies and practices.
Dr. Foster is an early childhood education specialist with extensive experience in policy and program development. She holds an EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as certifications in TESOL for Very Young Learners, CELTA, Education Diplomacy, and Early Childhood Sustainable Development. She is also a former Fulbright Senior Scholar. Currently, she is serving as the Early Learning Program Manager at Mid-America Regional Council. Dr. Foster’s areas of expertise include Early Childhood policy, workforce development, teacher training, curriculum development, and advocacy. Moreover, Dr. Foster has also sat on numerous local, national, and international boards related to early childhood development and has advised several ministry offices regarding programs and policies that impact young children.
Rawan is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience and a deep passion for educational technology and growth. She teaches ICT skills to primary students and leads the educational technology transformation in her work environment. This involves training teachers and contributing to curriculum and strategic plans that incorporate technology. Rawan is an ISTE member and community leader. She has delivered numerous webinars and participated in international conferences to empower educators across the MENA region and globally. Rawan highly encourages teaching computational and design thinking skills, promotes coding literacy, and advocates for effective practices of emerging technology. Her commitment to advancing education drives her ongoing contributions to the field. Rawan is preparing to pursue a doctorate degree to advance her expertise in the educational system.