Past Events

At the December 2024 Executive Committee meeting of the International Association for Smart Learning Environments (IASLE), the association president, Dr. Dejian Liu, delivered the annual address through an AI-powered digital avatar. This innovative format demonstrates IASLE’s technological integration capabilities and marks a new milestone in organizational digital transformation.

Address Highlights

2024 Achievements

• Co-hosted ICSLE 2024 with strategic partner ALECSO
• Announced forthcoming annual publication Digital Transformation and Human-Computer Collaborative Education
• Launched IASLE-NetDragon joint research initiative
• Innovative Initiatives
• Enhanced AIGC webinar series featuring global experts
• Piloted academic outreach via TikTok platform

2025 Roadmap

• Adopted annual theme “Collaboration & Influence”
• Planned expansion of university-industry partnerships
• Strengthened social media strategy implementation

Full Address Transcript

Dear colleagues,

In the vibrant year of 2024, we have witnessed the growth of our association. This October, we had the honor of joining hands with our esteemed partner ALECSO to successfully host ICSLE 2024. Numerous experts delivered remarkable speeches on the theme of artificial intelligence and human-computer collaborative learning, and several authors shared their research findings during the conference. Our annual publication, “Digital Transformation and Human-Computer Collaborative Education,” will be officially released in the near future. Moreover, we announced the IASLE-NetDragon joint academic research project, hoping it will contribute to the research on smart learning environments and explore new models of collaboration with enterprises.

Since March, our association has updated the webinar series, inviting experts such as Dr. Maiga, Prof. Cukurova, Dr. Nian-shing Chen, and others to share their insights on AIGC. In addition to our academic community influence, we experimented with TikTok as a new promotional channel in November.

Today, I am honored to propose the annual theme for 2025 – “Collaboration and Influence”. These concepts are complementary and central to our association’s future development. I suggest we actively expand collaborations with various organizations, universities, and enterprises to enhance our influence. Through these efforts, we aim to become academic partners with more organizations and achieve breakthroughs in research areas like smart learning environments. I believe our association’s influence will grow steadily as a result.

Looking ahead to next year, we anticipate further enhancing our association’s influence and attracting more members through social media, collaborative organizations, and other channels. I believe we will be able to further propel the development of our association and contribute more to the research and practice of smart learning environments.

Now, I sincerely invite each and every one of you to actively participate in the discussion and share your valuable perspectives, insights, and suggestions regarding the new journey we are about to embark on. I now open the floor for any additional comments, suggestions, or ideas on our annual theme and future development.

11^th December，2024

Dr. Dejian Liu

Topic:  Ask4Summary and Authorship Forensic

Date and Time: 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM in GMT+8, December 18, 2024

Abstract

While the generative AI is popular with the public, the dataset used for training the generative AI is too broad to be helpful for teaching and learning. For example, a teacher believes concept #A is more important than concept #B and has supplied all course materials and supplemental readings to students reflective of this concept weighting. If their students then use a generative AI tool trained with different dataset, which emphasizes concept #B, students might learn different materials and could even fail subsequent course exams.
This talk will cover two of my Natural Language Processing (NLP) research. Ask4Summary (https://ask4summary.vipresearch.ca/) has a system periodically running backend services to process course’s learning materials and answers user questions by identifying relevant content and generating summaries only based on the provided materials. Ask4Summary has reached 82.69% success rate for providing quick (0.766 seconds in average) responses of course relevant questions and is available for users in interactive web, Moodle plug-in form, and Python library. Authorship Forensic research uses both of Statistical and Neural NLP to correctly distinguish the works created by ChatGPT 3.5, ChatGPT 4, and human authors with high precision rate (i.e., not mis-pointing finger on human authors and incorrectly labelling their works as AI-written ones) 98.06% and F0.5 score 0.96 in our preliminary study. 

Speaker

Maiga CHANG, Full Professor, School of Computing and Information Systems, Athabasca University

Speaker’s short bio

Dr. Maiga Chang has been appointed as an IEEE Computer Society Distinguished Visitor on natural language processing and chatbot for 2023 to 2025 (https://www.computer.org/profiles/maiga-chang) and also recently received Distinguished Researcher Award from Asia Pacific Society on Computers in Education (APSCE) in 2022 (https://new.apsce.net/apsce-award-winners/). Dr. Chang is editors-in-chief (2019~) of Journal of Educational Technology & Society (https://www.j-ets.net/, an open access Web of Science’s SSCI journal). He has given more than 150 talks and lectures in different events and (co-)authored more than 255 book chapters, journal and international conference papers.

Focusing on Smart Education and AI Innovation

The 8th International Conference on Smart Learning Environments (ICSLE 2024) and the 2nd Arab International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIC-AIE 2024) officially opened on October 28, 2024, in a three-day international event that gathered global experts from education and technology sectors to explore cutting-edge applications and innovations in smart education and artificial intelligence.

The opening ceremony of ICSLE 2024 featured a keynote speech by Prof. Dejian Liu, Co-Dean of the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University (SLIBNU) and ICSLE 2024 Co-Chair, who shared profound insights into the future development of smart education and AI. Distinguished guests included Prof. Slim Edriss, President of the University of Tunis; Prof. Imed Jabri, Director of the LaTICE Research Laboratory; and Prof. Mohamed Jemni, Director of the Information and Communication Technology Department at the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), who represented ALECSO Director-General H.E. Prof. Mohamed Ould Amar.

Keynote speeches were delivered by prominent scholars such as Prof. Ronghuai Huang, Co-Dean of SLIBNU; Prof. Daniel Burgos, Director of the UNIR iTED Institute in Spain; and Prof. Yanyan Li, Vice Dean of SLIBNU. They delved into global advancements in smart education and innovative applications of AI in teaching and learning. A total of 28 international academic papers were accepted at ICSLE 2024, which will be published in Springer’s Lecture Notes in Educational Technology (LNET) series and indexed by Scopus, providing significant references for global research in smart education and AI. The conference also hosted ministerial-level discussions on regional educational collaboration and development opportunities, fostering in-depth exchanges with representatives from Arab organizations.

On the afternoon of October 29, the “AIGC-Enabled Human-AI Collaborative Teaching Workshop,” co-organized by SLIBNU and ALECSO, took place. This workshop, held overseas for the first time, combined theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Topics included expert lectures, an overview of large language models (LLMs), practical implementations of LLMs in teaching scenarios, case studies of AI Agents, and hands-on exercises. Chaired by Mr. Dingwen Zhang, Assistant Dean of SLIBNU, the workshop featured a lecture by Prof. Yanyan Li on Navigating the AIGC Landscape: Teacher Transformation in Education, which offered critical perspectives on educators’ roles in the AIGC era. Dr. Ting Da, a postdoctoral researcher at Beijing Normal University, guided participants through practical applications of AI Agents in classrooms. The event attracted over 30 Tunisian primary and secondary school teachers, university faculty, and industry leaders, facilitating cross-border exchanges on AI-driven teaching practices and showcasing China’s expertise in AI Agent applications.

The joint conferences have injected new momentum into international collaboration and innovation in smart education and AI. ICSLE 2024 and AIC-AIE 2024 aim to pave the way for a smarter and more diverse future in global education.

8th International Conference on Smart Learning Environments
Digital Transformation and Human-Machine Collaboration in Education

Tunisia, Tunis, October 28-29, 2024

PLEASE NOTE

The registration will be free this year, as the local organizer has decided that there is no need for registration fees.

Important Dates

• Paper submission: July 12th, 2024
• Workshop proposal submission: July 1st, 2024
• Notification of acceptance: July 24th, 2024
• Camera ready papers: Aug 12th, 2024
• Early bird Author registration: August 25th, 2024
• Conference dates: October 28-29, 2024

Hosted as a Hybrid (Virtual and Physical) Conference by

Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO)

International Association of Smart Learning Environments (IASLE)

LaTICE Research Laboratory, University of Tunis, Tunisia

Topic:  Beyond the Hypes of GenAI in Education to Real-world Contributions

Date and Time: 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM in GMT+8, November 14th, 2024

Abstract

The shiny allure of recent AI developments has been making headlines in recent years with the popularisation of large language models. Yet, the full potential of AI in educational research and practice remains largely untapped. This talk will navigate the confluence of Learning Sciences and AI, delving into three distinct conceptualizations of AI in educational research and practice. By drawing upon robust research evidence, I will unpack the benefits and limitations of each conceptualisation, painting a nuanced picture of how AI can be harnessed, grounded in our deep understanding of human learning processes and human values. The talk will conclude that against many tech leaders arguments, genAI solutions on their own are unlikely to revolutionise or democratise education. The journey of such changes is more than a tech challenge; it’s a human and ecosystem one. And as we make strides, we should not be losing focus on what matters the most and how our research can contribute to it.

Speaker

Mutlu CUKUROVA, Professor, University College London, UK

Speaker’s short bio

Mutlu Cukurova is Professor of Learning and Artificial Intelligence at University College London. Prof. Cukurova investigates the potential of AI to understand and support human learning with a particular interest in “learning how to learn” and solving complex problems collaboratively. His work emphasises human-AI complementarity, aiming to address the pressing socio-educational challenge of preparing people for a future with AI systems. Prof. Cukurova is the Director of the UCLAT team and works with UNESCO’s Unit for Technology and AI in Education as an external expert. He contributed to numerous policymaking documents including UNESCO’s recent report on Guidance for generative AI in education and research and led the report on UNESCO AI competency frameworks for teachers and students. He was the programme chair of the International Conference of AI in Education in 2020, currently serving as the editor of the British Journal of Educational Technology and an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction.

ICSLE 2024

Tunisia, Tunis, October 28-29, 2024

Paper submission: July 31st, 2024 (Extended)

Topic:  Empowering Educators: Designing Pedagogical AI Agents for Personalized Learning

Date and Time: 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM in GMT+8, October 25, 2024

Abstract

A key strength of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI lies in their ability to comprehend human language with depth and nuance, facilitating logical reasoning, planning, and execution of tasks. This capability has led to the assertion that anyone can become a programmer in the AI era. It empowers human teachers to collaborate with AI counterparts in crafting lesson plans using natural language. By mastering the design and deployment of these agents, teachers can tailor learning experiences to suit diverse student needs, guided by established learning theories and adaptive strategies. Acting as proxies for human teachers, AI agents extend the reach of teaching beyond physical constraints, enabling ubiquitous learning experiences. In this presentation, I will delve into the conceptual framework and design principles for developing pedagogical AI agents. Through live demonstrations, I will showcase the versatility of these agents using a universal client, which leverages robotic interfaces and general-purpose computing devices, such as tablets or computers.

Speaker

Nian-Shing CHEN, Chair Professor, Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Sciences and Program of Learning Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan

Speaker’s short bio

Dr. Nian-Shing Chen is a Chair Professor in the Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Sciences and Program of Learning Sciences at the National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. Professor Chen received the National Outstanding Research award three times in 2008, 2011, and 2015. He is ranked in second place on the Top Authors list by article count in Computers & Education, ranked 4th on the top scholar list in the educational technology field based on an article published in the British Journal of Educational Technology, ranked 3rd in the list of Social Sciences and Humanities Scientists in Taiwan. Based on AD Scientific Index 2023, Prof. Chen is ranked 8th in Asia and ranked 103th in the world in Education Research. He is listed as World’s top 2% scientists in 2021, 2022, 2023 and in the list of “Lifelong Science Influence Rankings (1960-2022)” by Stanford University.

Topic: Generative Artificial Intelligence to improve Learning in Students with Dyslexia: Dream or Reality?

Date and Time: 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM in GMT+8, 23 September 2024, 2024

Abstract

Generative Artificial intelligence (GAl), has now fully entered the field of learning, for people at all ages, it is now a fact that ChatGPT is used by millions of people as a support in both work and education. In the world, however, there are many people suffering from learning disorder.such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysorthography and other specific learning disorders. This means that, especially in MOOCs, where there is no continuous relationship with the teacher, students with such disorders suffer in learning, This talk aims to reason about the use of GAl to support students with specific disorders, and in particular students with dyslexia, during their learning process. To this end, the state of the art together several works concerning the use of intelligent systems, are presented , with particular reference to intelligent chatbots, Some state-of-the-art systems will be shown.

Speaker

Prof. Filippo SCIARRONE, Associate Professor, Universitas Mercatorum, ltaly

Speaker’s short bio

Filippo Sciarrone obtained a P.h.D on the use of personglisation techniques and methods in the field of learning, with a focus on the application of artificial intelligence to education. Currently Filippo Sciarrone is an Associate Professor at Universitas Mercatorum in Rome, ltaly, where he is teaching several courses in computer science. His research interests mainly concern Technology Enhanced Learning, and in particular the application of Generative Artificial intelligence techniques and methods to the educational field, He has led several research laboratories of companies for the production of algorithms and innovative systems for human resource management and for teaching-oriented recommendation systems. Currently he manages a research group on the use of generative AI to the construction of intelligent conversational agents for students with Specific learning Disorders.

The International Conference on Smart Learning Environments (ICSLE 2024) aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss issues related to the optimization of learning environments to enhance learning. The focus is on the interplay of pedagogy, technology and their fusion towards the advancement of smart learning.

Tunisia, Tunis, October 28-29

Paper submission: July 31st, 2024 (Extended)

Honorary Chairs

Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director General of ALECSO, Tunisia

Dr. Imed Jabri, LaTICE Research Laboratory, University of Tunis, Tunisia

Dr. Kinshuk, University of North Texas, United States

General Chairs

Dr. DJ Liu, Beijing Normal University, China

Dr. Mohamed Jemni, ALECSO, Tunisia

Program Chairs

Dr. Ahmed Tlili, Beijing Normal University, China

Dr. Junfeng Yang, Hangzhou Normal University, China

Dr. Maiga Chang, Athabasca University, Canada

Workshop chairs

Dr. Ting-Wen Chang, Beijing Normal University, China

Dr. Elvira Popescu, University of Craiova, Romania

Local organizing Chairs

Dr. Mehrez Boulares, LaTICE Research Laboratory, University of Tunis, Tunisia

Dr. Yosra Bouzid, LaTICE Research Laboratory, University of Tunis, Tunisia

Mr. Bilel Amri, ALECSO, Tunisia

Hosted as a Hybrid (Virtual and Physical) Conference by

Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO)

International Association of Smart Learning Environments (IASLE)

LaTICE Research Laboratory, University of Tunis, Tunisia

 Call for Papers – ICSLE 2024

EasyChair Link: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icsle2024

“Digital transformation in education: Promoting responsible and effective human-machine collaboration in education”

The International Conference on Smart Learning Environments (ICSLE 2024) aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in education, hence promoting a responsible, safe and effective human-machine collaboration in various educational contexts (formal, informal, etc.). The focus is on the interplay of pedagogy, technology and the collaborative intelligence (human intelligence and artificial intelligence) towards the development of human-centered learning. Various components of this interplay include but are not limited to:

Track 1. Next generation learning environments — AI powered learning environments, personalized learning environments, (multimodal) learning analytics, Personalized and interoperable learning environment, inclusive learning environments;

Track 2: Human machine collaboration and synergy in education — Policies, applications, case studies and best practices of domain-specific / subject-specific smart learning, including human-(ro)bot collaboration, human-AI collaboration, Avatars, digital twins and metaverse.

Track 3: Pedagogy, Learning Approaches and Instructional Design — Collaborative intelligence (human intelligence and artificial intelligence), Collaborative & Group Learning; Game-based Learning & Gamification; Inquiry-based Learning; Work-Integrated Learning, Simulation

Track 4: Digital transformation for catalyzing online, immersive and open learning spaces — E-learning; Blended/Hybrid Learning; Mobile Learning; MOOCs; Open education, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality Learning;

Track 5: Digital, machine and AI ethics in education — Ethical frameworks and policies in education, (Gen) AI ethics, teaching ethics, responsible and human-centered AI in education, etc.

Proceedings

All accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings published under Springer’s Lecture Notes in Educational Technology (LNET) series (https://www.springer.com/series/11777).

Extended version of selected accepted papers will be considered for publication in Springer’s Smart Learning Environments journal (https://slejournal.springeropen.com/).

Organizers

Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO)

International Association of Smart Learning Environments (IASLE)

Important Dates

• Paper submission: July 31st, 2024 (Extended)
• Workshop proposal submission: July 1st, 2024
• Notification of acceptance: TBD  (Originally July 24th, 2024)
• Camera ready papers: Aug 12th, 2024
• Early bird Author registration: August 25th, 2024
• Conference dates: October 28-29, 2024

Registration fee

Early bird (by June 30, 2024): 

Non-students	Students
US$ 150	US$ 100

Regular Registration Fee:

Non-students	Students
US$ 200	US$ 150

Initial Paper Submission

Authors are required to follow the Springer Formatting Guidelines and use Word format only.  A sample paper that could be used as a template can be found here: ICSLE2022_sample_paper. Please note that Springer can only accept papers in Word format for the ICSLE 2024 proceedings volume, NOT in LaTeX.

Authors should submit papers using the Easychair conference management system at:

https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icsle2024

Submitted papers will be subject to a peer review process. Complete papers will be required for the review process, abstracts alone will not be sufficient.

Note: The conference employs a double-blind review process, hence authors’ names and affiliations should NOT be present within the manuscript. Authors should include their names only in the appropriate fields in the paper submission form on Easychair.

Authors’ information should be included ONLY in the camera-ready version of the manuscript and NOT in the initial version. However, during the preparation of the initial manuscript, authors’ should leave a number of empty lines at the beginning of the manuscript, so as to include authors’ information during the camera-ready manuscript submission.