UHM Learning Design & Technology

Ho’maika’i ana’ to the Class of 2026! 🥳🎓

We are delighted to celebrate your incredible achievements. This year is remarkably special as LTEC celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Burniske Outstanding Master’s Project Award with previous Burniske awardees from 2006 to 2025. This year, the awardees are Justice Kanaulu ( Winner) and Jimena Andrea Riano Tellez (Runner-up).

Past and current Burniske award winners shared stories about former LTEC Professor Buddy Burniske, his lasting legacy, and how being a Burniske awardee shaped their journeys since graduating from the LTEC MEd Program. It was a heartfelt moment to have everyone share their wonderful speeches. Thank you to the past Burniske winners for coming and celebrating this moment with us!

We’d like to acknowledge Jackie Burniske (Buddy’s Wife), Chris Burniske (Buddy’s son), and Penny Burniske (Buddy’s mom) for their attendance and generosity. We deeply appreciate your support and kindness throughout the years.

To learn more about the Buddy Burniske Memorial Fund and the Burniske Outstanding Master’s Project Award, please visit: https://coe.hawaii.edu/ltec/burniske-award/

Mahalo to everyone who attended or volunteered at the LTEC Graduation Party! This year was the biggest celebration yet, and the party wouldn’t have been as successful without each and every one of you. A special thank you to our dedicated volunteer photographer, Binbin Dou who has captured these precious moments in a beautiful way. Lastly, thank you, LTEC Faculty, for your support and shoutout to Professor Emeritus Dr. Curtis Ho for always being there for LTEC!

Once again, congratulations, LTEC Class of 2026!
Be well, design like a pro, & keep in touch!

Animation = technological learning innovation and engagement

We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Daniel Boulos for passing his dissertation! Daniel’s study examined how the Behavior Canon of Animated Film (BCAF)—a comprehensive taxonomy derived from professional animation practice—affects learner perceptions of animated pedagogical agents (APAs) in online instruction.

Congratulations Dr. Daniel Boulos! Your study’s insights can be used to improve instructional design and embodied AI integration.

Another doctor in the house! 🎓

We are happy to present that Melissa Peterson passed her dissertation! Her study, “Situated Software Learning for Science Teachers: AI-Facilitated Cognitive Apprenticeship for Skill Development” sought to address this problem through the design of in-application cognitive apprenticeship scaffolds (Collins, 2012) implemented using a machine-learning algorithm to provide artificially intelligent facilitation.

Woohoo you did it, Dr. Peterson! Your study showcases how AI can be a useful tool for science teachers!

Interested in learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration in education? 🧑‍💻🎓

Our very own LTEC Assistant Professor, Dr. Clare Baek, will be hosting a workshop at the Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center called, “Navigating AI in Education for Teaching, Learning, and Strategic Planning” from June 8-10, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM!

This workshop is intended for K-12 educators, school leaders, and school teams who are interested in exploring ways to integrate AI to support teaching and learning, critically evaluate the affordances and constraints of AI, and develop a schoolwide approach to AI.

Great job in representing LTEC, Dr. Baek! 🎉

If you are interested in attending, please visit: go.hawaii.edu/2mi for more information.

Social media isn’t just social, it’s transforming how we learn. 🤳🧠

Woohoo! We are proud to announce that Alititaiolemoana Letitia Sagapolutele-Farani passed her dissertation! Her research, "The Use of Social Media by American Samoa Teachers to Enhance Their Teaching of English Language Learners (ELLs) in American Samoa" is a basic interpretive qualitative study that examined how high school teachers in American Samoa use social media to support instruction for English Language Learners (ELL).

Congratulations Dr. Alititaiolemoana Letitia Sagapolutele-Farani! Your research shows that social media can be an effective learning space.

Remember to submit your proposal for ICoME! Deadline Extended to May 1, 2026

LTEC is proud to host ICoME 2026 on campus this August in partnership with TCC Hawaii. We would love to see our LTEC community well-represented in the program.

ICoME 2026 serves as a premier platform for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in the design and use of media for learning.

This year’s theme and format
Theme: Learning with Purpose: Building Futures Through Care, Connection, and Innovation Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa | Honolulu, HI
Conference Dates: August 6–8, 2026

For more information, please visit these links below
Link to ICoME website: https://2026.icome.education/
Link to Submit a Proposal: https://2026.icome.education/submit-proposal/
We look forward to seeing you there!

Flipping the classroom, uncovering student motivation 🧑‍🎓🏫

We are delighted to announce that Nina Monoski-Takamure passed her dissertation! Her research, “Investigating The Impact of The Flipped Classroom Model (FCM) on Graduate Student Motivation” is a mxed methods study that looked at idea of motivation through Deci and Ryan’s (1985) Self-Determination Theory, which includes autonomy, relatedness, and competence, and how the FCM impacted each of these factors.

Congratulations Dr. Nina Monoski-Takamure! Your study highlights how technology integration can positively impact students!

Remember to submit your proposal for ICoME!

LTEC is proud to host ICoME 2026 on campus this August in partnership with TCC Hawaii. We would love to see our LTEC community well-represented in the program.

ICoME 2026 serves as a premier platform for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in the design and use of media for learning.

This year’s theme and format
Theme: Learning with Purpose: Building Futures Through Care, Connection, and Innovation Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa | Honolulu, HI
Conference Dates: August 6–8, 2026

For more information, please visit these links below
Link to ICoME website: https://2026.icome.education/
Link to Submit a Proposal: https://2026.icome.education/submit-proposal/
We look forward to seeing you there!

Empower teachers. Elevate science. 🏫🔬

Woohoo!! We are happy to announce that Pamela Kohara passed her dissertation! Her research, “Technology Enhanced Science Curriculum to Support Elementary School Teachers’ Confidence, Satisfaction, and Volition in the Instruction of Next Generation Science Standard” is a mixed-methods study that examines how Technology-Enhanced Science Curriculum (TESC) STEMscopes supported Hawai‘i elementary school teachers in implementing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned instruction.

Congratulations, Dr. Kohara! Your research moves science education forward!

Smarter writing starts with smarter collaboration 🤖✍️

We are proud to announce that Yugang Zhou has passed his dissertation! His research, “The Effectiveness of the AI-Supported Learner-as-Collaborator Process on the English Writing Competencies of College Students in China: A Mixed Methods,” examines the effectiveness of the AI-supported learner-as-collaborator process in improving the English writing competencies of Chinese college students.

Congratulations, Dr. Zhou! Your research is making a real impact on how education evolves in the age of AI.