Program

 

AI, Teaching, and Learning

This course has been created by the program committee and organizing team from The Learning Ideas Conference and the University of Ioannina.


Tuesday, June 23rd | Wednesday, June 24th | Thursday, June 25th


Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026

All times are in 24-hour times in Greece, GMT+3.
The course will take place at Epirus Palace Hotel & Spa, Ioannina, Greece.


9:15 - Doors Open


9:45 - 10:30

Opening Ceremony

Speakers from the Mayor’s office and hosts at University of Ioannina.

David Guralnick, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Kaleidoscope Learning
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
New York, New York, USA

About Dr. David Guralnick


David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. David holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has designed and evaluated a variety of simulation-based training applications, performance support systems, online courses, mobile applications, and authoring tools for corporate, non-profit, and university audiences.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991. He is also the author of the recent book How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

Jenny Pange, Ph.D.
Professor and Former Dean of the School of Education
University of Ioannina
Ioannina, Greece

About Dr. Jenny Pange


Jenny (Polyxeni) Pange is a Professor at the University of Ioannina, in the field of Information Technology and Applied Mathematics with an emphasis on educational programs. She is also the former Dean of the university's School of Education and the Director of its Laboratory of “New Technologies and Distance Learning”, at the School of Education. Dr. Pange is a Legal Representative of Greece, on the Board of Advisors of the UNIADRION (Universities of Adriatic and Ionian Basin Association), and is the representative of the University of Ioannina in EUCEN (European Universities Continuing Education Network).

She holds a diploma in Mathematics, an M.Sc. in Statistics, and a Ph.D. in Biometry. Dr. Pange is currently teaching classes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Greece and abroad. Her scientific research includes books and more than 170 publications in journals and conference proceedings. Dr. Pange is a Scientific Coordinator and member of scientific committees of many EEC-funded programs. She has participated in several conferences nationally and internationally, as a keynote or invited speaker, and she has organized national and international conferences and summer schools.

Opening Ceremony

David Guralnick, Ph.D. and Jenny Pange, Ph.D.


Dr. Guralnick and Dr. Pange welcome participants and provide a brief overview of the course.


10:30 - 11:30

Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Learning

David Guralnick, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Kaleidoscope Learning
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
New York, New York, USA

Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Learning

David Guralnick, Ph.D.


Uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in learning have been explored and studied for decades, but with the recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, AI's role in learning has become more prominent and more widely-discussed than ever before.

In this session, we'll look at the past, present, and potential future roles of AI in learning, exploring different approaches to AI and how AI can, along with other new technologies, allow us to create personalized, authentic, and meaningful learning experiences that go far beyond traditional educational experiences.


11:30 - 12:00

Coffee Break/Networking Session


12:00 - 13:15

AI in Higher Ed

Gila Kurtz, Ph.D.
Dean, Faculty of Instructional Technologies
Holon Institute of Technology (HIT)
Holon, Israel

About Dr. Gila Kurtz


Dr. Kurtz is the Dean of the Faculty of Instructional Technologies at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) in Israel. She has a wealth of experience, having served as the Academic Vice President at a company specializing in e-learning solutions for the corporate sector for several years.

Before joining HIT, she developed and managed an ICT and a Learning M.A. program at the College for Academic Studies in Israel. Dr. Kurtz has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Graduate School in the Master of Distance Education and E-learning Program, where she co-developed and co-taught online courses.

Dr. Kurtz's other positions were head of interactive television satellite-based unit at the Open University of Israel (OUI) and director of an e-learning center at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. She was also the academic vice president of a company that provided e-learning solutions for the corporate industry. She served as a director and the secretary of The International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction, (IBSTPI) where she was a co-author of a book titled "Online Learner Competencies: Attitudes, Knowledge, and Skills for Successful Learning."

For several years Dr. Kurtz was a member of the Steering Committee of the European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN). She serves as a member on the Peer Review Board of The Journal of Educators Online and The European Journal of Open and Distance Learning. For several years, Dr. Kurtz was the Editor-in-Chief of The Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Skills and Lifelong Learning (IJELL). She has been a visiting scholar at several academic institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley's School of Education and at Syracuse University.

Eran Gal, Ph.D.
Head of Graduate Program, Faculty of Instructional Technologies
Holon Institute of Technology (HIT)
Holon, Israel

About Dr. Eran Gal


Dr. Eran Gal is a digital learning and learning innovation expert with over 25 years of experience applying cross-company technology-based learning solutions.

Dr. Gal heads the graduate program at the Instructional Technologies Faculty, HIT. The program offers students a unique certification track in AI for learning applications in addition to M.A. in Instructional Technologies.

Dr. Gal teaches learning design using AI and learning innovation. He also oversees the research initiatives of the program focusing on empirical research of organizational and technologically enhanced learning.

Since January 2023, Dr. Gal's research and studies have been focused on successful implementation of GenAI services in academic and organizational learning.

AI in Higher Education

Gila Kurtz, Ph.D., and Eran Gal, Ph.D.


Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the landscape of higher education, offering new opportunities for personalized learning, intelligent tutoring systems, automated assessment, and advanced research methodologies. In this lecture, we will explore how AI-driven technologies enhance teaching and learning experiences, support faculty in instructional design, and empower students with adaptive learning tools. We will also discuss ethical considerations, challenges, and best practices for integrating AI into higher education.


13:15 - 15:45

Lunch Break


15:45 - 16:00

Bus to Museum

Meet in Epirus Palace lobby at 15:45.


16:00

Tour - University of Ioannina Campus

Followed by the Welcome Dinner