UHM Learning Design & Technology

09/23/2026

Time to highlight another incredible student! 🧑‍🎓📸

We are thrilled to celebrate LTEC PhD candidate and AECT-HI Outreach Coordinator Sarah Wright, who earned the International Humanitarian Service Award from the American Red Cross! She was recognized during the 2026 Central Coast Chapter Awards and Volunteer Recognition Event held in Aptos, California.

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn from the engaging and kind faculty who truly embrace students as their ʻohana.”

Way to go, Sarah! We are so proud of your incredible accomplishments! 🎉

To read more about her story, please visit: https://go.hawaii.edu/wsR

09/15/2026

We are happy to spotlight our LTEC faculty and students for their journal collaboration!

LTEC faculty members Dr. Mike Menchaca and Dr. Dan Hoffman edited the latest issue of the IAFOR Journal of Education: Technology in Education, Volume 14, Issue 2. LTEC PhD alumni Karen Fujii, Natalie Perez, and Tialei Scanlan are also authors featured in this issue!

With the emergence of new technologies becoming the “new normal” post-pandemic, this issue reflects this shift by highlighting eight international articles representing an array of rigorous methodologies, sound theoretical foundations, and innovative technologies.

This journal is open access, so please feel free to check it out at go.hawaii.edu/N9R.

Way to go, LTEC!! 🎉

07/06/2026

An LTEC Alumni was represented as a finalist at the National AI Challenge! 🏆

We are proud to announce that LTEC Alumni, Kawika Gonzales was named one of the finalists for the National AI Challenge at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C! His group’s research project “Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi,” is a statewide program that teaches students responsible artificial intelligence (AI).

Gonzales earned his MEd and C**T certificate from LTEC and has stated that the program deepened his understanding of instructional design, technology integration, and innovative teaching practices.

“We are very proud of Kawika’s achievements and the important work that he’s doing in helping prepare students in Hawaiʻi to be successful in the era of AI,” said LTEC Chair Peter Leong.

Way to go, Kawika Gonzales! 🥳

To learn more about this story, please visit:

UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) alumni, Kawika Gonzales and Leah Aiwohi along with colleague Chloe Sato, were named finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. last month. Their project, Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi, is a statewide progra...

06/17/2026

Are you interested in integrating cutting-edge technologies—such as AI, multimedia, interactive media, and AR/VR—into your teaching or professional practice?

Consider enrolling in LTEC 442: Technology in Education (CRN 97456 or 4062)! This fully online, asynchronous Summer II course (no Zoom meetings required) provides a strong theoretical foundation while offering hands-on opportunities to explore a wide range of educational technologies and their applications.

If you have any questions or need a registration override, please feel free to contact Dr. Seungoh Paek at [email protected].

For further questions on registration, please contact the LTEC Office ([email protected]) for more information.

If you know someone who may be interested or benefit from this course, please share this post with them!

05/20/2026

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!

05/11/2026

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.

04/29/2026

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!

04/23/2026

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.

04/21/2026

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.

04/15/2026

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!