INTERNATIONAL PROFESSORIAL TALK SERIES 2024
7 March 2024 - The International Professorial Talk Series 2024, themed "Bridging Theory and Practice: Advanced Analysis in Educational Studies - Model-based Approach to Assessing Oral Reading Fluency," was a resounding success. Hosted on March 7th, 2024, the hybrid event was officiated by the Deputy Dean of School of Educational Studies Universiti Sains Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr. Aziah Ismail, with the event coordinator and moderator, Associate Professor Dr. Thien Lei Mee. It featured Professor Akihito Kamata, a distinguished educator and the Director of the PhD Program in Simmons School of Education & Human Development at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Professor Kamata's expertise in educational research and assessment brought a wealth of knowledge to the discussion, captivating the audience with his insights into model-based approaches for evaluating oral reading fluency.
Throughout the talk, Professor Kamata delved deep into the intricacies of employing a model-based approach of the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework to assess Oral Reading Fluency (ORF), emphasising the importance of early intervention to identify at-risk students with the help of data, personalised support, and a systematic implementation. Attendees, comprising EDD students, Ph.D. candidates, program leaders, lecturers, and educators from various educational institutions, were highly engaged in the presentation. The interactive Q&A session that followed allowed participants both online and offline to seek clarification on practical implementation strategies, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences.
Overall, the International Professorial Talk Series 2024 left a lasting impression, highlighting the importance of leveraging advanced analysis techniques such as the R Package and Shiny App to increase the speed and accuracy of assessment and to enhance educational practices while fostering collaboration among educators worldwide in advancing the field of educational studies.