Keynote Speaker |
 |
Founder and President, MaMaMedia
Idit Harel, Ph.D.
Dr. Harel founded MaMaMedia in 1995, bringing together a team of specialists in the areas of kids' media, technology and learning. She has been at the forefront of educational innovation, creating meaningful ways to marry the power of the computer with the potential of the child. After graduating from Tel Aviv University, she completed her Masters at Harvard University and proceeded to receive her Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Laboratory.
|
Speakers (in alphabetical order) |
|
 |
Head of Research, Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC)
Anura Goonasekera, Ph.D.
Before becoming the head of research at AMIC, Dr. Goonasekera was Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Sri Lanka, as well as the Director General of Sri Lanka's National Television. He is the founder and joint editor of the Asian Journal of Communication. Dr. Goonasekera holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago.
|
|
 |
Professor, Keio University
Takemochi Ishii, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Ishii is Consultant to Child Research Net and specializes in system engineering and multimedia. He has authored several books on the multimedia revolution in Japan. Dr. Ishii is a graduate of the University of Tokyo School of Medicine and School of Mechanical Engineering. He is also Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo. |
|
 |
Director, Child Research Net
Noboru Kobayashi, M.D.
Dr. Kobayashi is founder and director of Child Research Net. CRN grew out of a longtime interest in developing an academic science for the study of children. He is a retired pediatrician and holds the positions of Professor of Puericulture at Konan Women's University, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo and President Emeritus of the National Children's Hospital.
|
Panelists (in alphabetical order) |
 |
Associate Professor, University of Tokyo
Michitaka Hirose, Ph.D.
Dr. Hirose is Associate Professor of The Engineering Research Institute at the University of Tokyo. His research is representative in the areas of human interface and virtual reality, topics on which he has authored several books.
|
|
 |
Playwright
Koharu Kisaragi
Famous playwright in Japan and director of the theater group, "NOISE". Her main works include "DOLL" and "MOON". She has also published a collection of her works and is currently serving on the Department of Education's Committee on Educational Reform.
|
|
 |
Professor, Chukyo University
Naomi Miyake, Ph.D.
Dr. Miyake is Professor of Computer and Cognitive Sciences and is well known in the field of meta-cognition in Japan. She is currently examining the process of team problem solving and the use of computers in the classroom. Dr. Miyake has written books discussing the relationship of computers and children.
|
|
 |
Lego Professor of Learning Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Seymour Papert
Dr. Papert is recognized as a seminal thinker on how computers can change learning. He is the inventor of the Logo computer language and he has spent his career intertwining the study of children's thinking, mathematics and computers, reflecting his work with Jean Piaget. Dr. Papert's current interest is expressed in his new book, The Connected Family: Bridging the digital generation gap where he examines how children and parents can strengthen their relationship and communicate effectively using the computer as a medium.
|
Master of Ceremonies |
 |
Journalist
Kazuma Yamane
Mr. Yamane is currently the commentator on a widely viewed documentary television program featuring outstanding youth of Japan for the national broadcasting station, NHK. He is recognized as a provocative commentator on the topic of the digital revolution in Japan and has expressed these opinions in his books. Mr. Yamane majored in foreign language studies at Dokkyo University where he received his BA. |
