The 2023 Connected Learning Summit, held virtually, engaged over 400 participants in interactive discussions about research, design, and practice, as well as hands-on workshops and inspiring talks. Videos of the plenaries, keynotes, showcases, and research papers are now live on YouTube.
Get Inspired by Keynote and Plenary Session Videos
Our partners in the Asia-Pacific region kicked off CLS2023 with an opening plenary on October 26 discussing the current state of play for AI and Algorithms and how they intersect with learning in positive and problematic ways. AI & Algorithms for Connected Learning was moderated by Michael Dezuanni from Queensland University of Technology and featured:
- Maarten de Laat, Professor of Augmented and Networked Learning & Co-Director, Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), University of South Australia
- Louisa Bartolo, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant, Queensland University of Technology
- Karley Beckman, Senior Lecturer in Digital Technologies for Learning, School of Education at the University of Wollongong
Focusing on a different angle on AI, the U.S. time zone segment of CLS2023 kicked off with the plenary Imaging Alternative Futures: What Roles for AI?, which explored panelists’ visions of AI’s future usage. Moderated by Bill Penuel (Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado Boulder), the panel featured:
- Dr. Mark Riedl, Professor, Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing
- Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins, Assistant Director, Lesley STEAM Learning Lab at Lesley University
- Michael Chang, Postdoctoral Researcher, UC Berkeley
The Asia-Pacific region’s sessions concluded with a closing keynote – Making the Familiar Strange: Critical Digital Literacies for Edtech, by Dr. Luci Pangrazio, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow (2023-2026), Chief Investigator on the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, and a senior lecturer in language and literacy at Deakin University. Dr. Pangrazio explored critical thinking processes in the face of new digital technologies used for learning, drawing on her research experience over the last 10 years.
The three-day Connected Learning Summit concluded with a keynote by multimedia artist Diana Nucera aka Mother Cyborg: Surveillance, Data Collection, the Redaction of Love, and the Complexity of Identity. Diana Nucera shared an artistic exhibition of fiber works and addressed critical issues of surveillance, data collection, the redaction of love to likes, and the complexity of identity within it all.
Honoring the Community with #CLSummit2023 Awards
Prior to our closing keynote, we honored members of the Connected Learning community with our Connected Learning Summit awards:
- Best Research Paper: “Facilitating Connected Learning PD”, authored by Lora Cawelti, Karlena Ochoa, Vanessa Bermudez, Phebe Chew, Santiago Ojeda-Ramirez, and Kylie Peppler
- Community Stewardship Award: Jaleesa Trapp, for enduring leadership and growing and broadening the connected learning community
- Beacon of Innovation Award: Katie Salen, for expanding our imagination of how games and online communities can support learning, spark joy, and foster equity
- Walking the Talk Award: Nichole Pinkard, for living the values of connected learning, making them come to life in your brilliant designs, and inspiring us all to do better
Dive Into Connected Learning Projects with Research Paper and Showcase Videos
In addition to inspiring keynotes and plenaries, CLS2023 featured research papers, showcases, exhibits, workshops, and roundtable discussions where educators, designers, and researchers shared their innovations and insights. Research paper and showcase videos are now available on Youtube. Learn about projects based around topics ranging from technology infused arts programs, XR, activism and social justice, connected online learning, community engagement, and more.
We look forward to continuing to share some of the presentations and outcomes of the summit in the coming months. ICYMI, check out these posts on projects and sessions featured at CLS:
- Telling Your Story Through Music – Composing with Hyperscore at CLS 2023 (New Harmony Line)
- Remotely Connecting Global Youth Researchers: Students from Greece and the US Share International Findings (CU Denver, University of Crete)
- Measuring Impact on Teenage Mental Health Entrepreneurship: Insights from the Connected Learning Summit (Headstream Innovation)
- Navigating the Future of Education: Voices from the Digital Classroom (University of Calgary)
Post by the Connected Learning Summit organizers.
With a unique focus on cross-sector connections and progressive and catalytic innovation, the Connected Learning Summit brings together leading researchers, educators, and developers to fuel a growing movement of innovators harnessing the power of emerging technology to expand access to participatory, playful, and creative learning. CLS offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to connected learning while aligning with their goals and initiatives.
