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ـه1444 يناثلا عيبر ددـــــ ـــــعلا Forum 21
م2022 ربوــــتكأا

ERL2022 International The ERL 2022 five Keynote Speakers:

Symposium’s Report

The Educational Research Lab (ERL) held its education and educational policies. Thus, PSU is a
2nd International Symposium on Educational leading Saudi university that is aiming to fulfill the
Research (ERL2022) on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Kingdom’s 2030 Vision and its implementation in all
The symposium included 5 plenary speeches, 8 educational aspects. Dr. Heba Koshseim concluded
workshops, 24 papers, and 9 poster presentations. her inspiring words with thanks and appreciation to
The talks covered various fields of research, all ERL2022 International Symposium organizers,
including but not limited to K-12 and higher participants, and attendees.
education online and blended learning/ teaching, Next was the word from the Dean of the College of
education policy & leadership, quality assurance, Humanities and Sciences and Chair of the Steering
testing, evaluation & assessment, curriculum, Committee, Prof. Mahmoud Al Mahmoud. On his
material design, professional development, and behalf, Prof. Hala Dalbani delivered the second
critical & ethical thinking. welcoming speech at the ERL2022 International
Symposium. Prof. Hala Dalbani welcomed all Plenary Sessions: needs to be paid to improving children's
ERL2022 2nd International Symposium platform: organizers, participants, and attendees to such an The first plenary session in the 2nd verbal skills in language acquisition through
Since the theme revolved around the Global exceptional event. She further emphasized how International Symposium on Educational special programs “interventions which
Transformation of Education and Learning globally “pivotal” this symposium is, highlighting Research was presented by Prof. Stephen target oral language skills have potential
Trends: Re-Evaluating Education in the Endemic that “we (at PSU) strive to align our goals with Krashen, University of Southern California, for improving educational outcomes
World, the ERL2022 International Symposium Saudi Vision 2030, paving the way for educational USA. In his speech, Prof. Krashen led with and psycho-social wellbeing” (Hulme,
offered its audience the experience of virtual reality research and development, and implementing the the concept of language acquisition as “the 2022). Moreover, research indicated that
through its digital platform (exhibition hall). best educational practices and policies” from both subconscious process.” Acquiring a language teachers are not equipped to deal with
The attendees were able to navigate is a complex and “ambiguous” process that children facing difficulties in pronunciation,
from one hall to another to attend comes about quite naturally, like “playing communication, or oral language skills.
concurrent sessions, workshops, the violin” (Krashen, 2022). Additionally, Thus, more implementation of “language
and look for ERL job opportunities. Prof. Krashen stressed the fact that acquiring interventions” that are proven to help
For more information, please visit a language is very different from learning it. solve these issues are needed. An example
the website. https://info.psu.edu. Unlike acquiring a language, learning one is of the intervention of technology was
sa/VirtualEventsPlatform/erl/2022/ a “conscious” process. implemented by Prof. Hulme. He highlighted
ExhibitionHall.html Furthermore, Prof. Krashen went on to that they have developed an app called
Furthermore, the website included discuss the importance of integrating “LanguageScreen” that worked very well in
booths for the workshop partners, technology for “intellectual development.” assessing students with difficulties in oral
which were accessible through the Specifically, he highlighted how instructors skills. The application reports children’s
ERL2022 International Symposium's are using technology to improve their language abilities “speaking and listening
website: https://info.psu.edu.sa/ students’ writing skills. Prof. Krashen closed skills” in order to analyze any issues these
VirtualEventsPlatform/erl/2022/ his talk with the idea that one important children may have when it comes to verbal
a regional and international stance. In closing, writing skill that technology has helped is communication.
The Opening Ceremony: Prof. Hala Dalbani thanked the ERL team for their “the power of revision and incubation.” In closing, Prof. Hulme stressed on the
The opening ceremony of the 2nd International endeavors in offering this great opportunity to The second plenary session in the 2nd fact that “language difficulties are strongly
Symposium on Educational Research was initiated develop and refine education. International Symposium on Educational associated with social disadvantages”.
by PSU Vice President of the female campus, Dr. Last but not least were the opening remarks of Research was presented by Prof. Rupert Therefore, educators must find ways to
Heba Koshseim on behalf of PSU President and Dr. Alia Micthell, the Vice Dean of the College of Wegerif, University of Cambridge, UK. Prof. better deal with these language difficulties
Honorary Chair of ERL2022, Dr. Ahmed Yamani. Humanities and Sciences and the Co-chair of the Wegerif introduced his talk by stressing on in order to improve the learning process.
In her welcoming speech, Dr. Heba Koshseim ERL Steering Committee. As a co-leader of the ERL the importance of “designing education The fourth plenary session in the 2nd
stressed the importance of taking the initiative lab, Dr. Alia Mitchell emphasized the role of PSU for collective intelligence”. In this sense, International Symposium on Educational
toward research development, enhancement, and as “one of Saudi Arabia’s leading universities with education lacks the set of collaborative Research was presented by Prof. Eugene
collaboration. She stated that “this symposium a tradition of excellence in teaching, learning, and skills to face certain issues collaboratively. Sheehan, University of Northern Colorado,
aims to promote professional participation of research”. Additionally, Dr. Mitchell highlighted the “On the whole, most education systems USA. Prof. Sheehan began his talk with the
pioneers and researchers in the field of education.” value of this symposium in that it “creates a forum” are focused on individuals' exam results importance of “Educator preparation”. In
Dr. Heba Koshseim highlighted that we are taking for educators and leaders of education to “address rather than on effective collaborative work this sense, educators need to be prepared
on a “new normal,” and PSU has been a leading the many issues related to education, whether ” (Wegerif, 2022). Therefore, we must find to face any sudden challenges or issues
university in this change, taking the opportunity to it is related to teaching and learning or quality ways to redesign education to meet the to ensure that the learning process is
become “agile and resilient.” assurance and academic ideologies”. In her closing demands of these challenging times. not affected negatively. One example
Furthermore, Dr. Heba Koshseim pointed out that remarks, Dr. Alia Mitchell thanked the ERL team for In closing, Prof. Wegerif highlighted the is Covid-19 pandemic, where students
PSU holds the highest standards for the practice of the organization of this important event. crucial aspect that involves using technology experienced “some significant behavioral
to enhance the “quality of collective changes” when coming to school after the
The ERL2022 program included five plenary talks by distinguished scholars thinking”. More attention should be given shift to online education. As educators, we
Name Affiliation Topic to improving our critical thinking skills, need to be fully aware of and prepared for
Prof. Stephen University of Southern Language/Literacy Development and Virtual and the ability to collectively discuss ideas. these changes that can heavily influence the
Krashen California, USA Education: A Happy Coincidence Additionally, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning process.
Prof. Rupert University of Cambridge, UK Designing Education for Collective Intelligence to create “online dialogues” could definitely Prof. Sheehan concluded his talk by shedding
Wegerif and Collective Wisdom serve collective intelligence. light on the fact that if educators are well
Prof. Charles University of Oxford, UK Early language intervention is Effective and The third plenary session in the 2nd prepared to face any external challenges, we
Hulmes Important for Improving Educational Outcomes International Symposium on Educational will have less stress and anxiety. Therefore,
Prof. Eugene University of Northern Colorado, Best practices in educator preparation Research was presented by Prof. Charles it is important for us to gain the set of
Sheehan USA Hulme, University of Oxford, UK. In his talk, skills and capabilities to create a positive
Prof. The State University of New York Learning in the age of computers, artificial Prof. Hulme focused on using technology to and healthy learning experience for both
Dagobert at Buffalo, USA intelligence, virtual reality, and online social develop “oral language skills'' of unprivileged students and educators.
Soergel interaction children. He stated that more attention The fifth and last plenary session in the 2nd