Biography

Currently, I am a doctoral candidate in MST division at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and a master of science in statistics at University of Illinois. My research investigates the online learning, technology instructional design and digital inequalities, particularly focuses on the action of One Laptop Per Child which aims at closing digital divide globally. I am also interested in reading discourses of contemporary curriculum theorists, caring about international students' learning experiences, and studying about the identitical formation of Taiwanese children in China.

Starting in 2008, I work in Education Online, which assists designing, producing, and delivering the online programs and courses of College of Education.

My earlier research had two foci: One was to examine citizenship education (also known as social studies in the U.S.) and related educational issues in Hong Kong after 1997 sovereignty to P.R. China. Another was to review curriculum policies and reforms implemented in Taiwan. In addition to research activities, I also served as the president of Taiwanese Studies Group at this University in last one and half years.

Degrees

• Doctoral Candidate, Math, Science, and Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), IL (2007- )
• Master of Science, Applied Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2009-2010)
• Doctoral Candidate, Curriculum and Instruction, National Taiwan Normal University(NTNU), Taiwan (2003- )
• Master of Arts, Education, National Taiwan Normal University (2001- 2003)
• Bachelor of Arts, Education, National Taiwan Normal University (1997- 2001)

Key Professional Appointments

• Consultant, College of Education Online, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2008.01-)
• Science Teacher, Mei-Yuan Elementary School, Taiwan (2011.07-2011.12)
• Research Assistant, INstitute of Economics at Academia Sinica (2010.12-2011.04)
• Research Staff, Center for Research of Educational Evaluation and Development, National Taiwan Normal University (2006.12-2007.08)
• Adjunct Instructor, Extension Division of In-service and Continuing Education, National Taiwan Normal University (2005.07-2005.08)
• Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Studies Education, Taipei Municipal Teachers College), Taiwan (2004.09-2005.01)
• Adjunct Instructor, Department of Elementary Education, National Hsin-Chu Teachers College), Taiwan (2004.02-2004.06)
• Research Assistant, Department of Education, National Taiwan Normal University (2001.07-2007.07)
• Network Administrator, Department of Education, National Taiwan Normal University (2001- 2007)

Honors & Awards

• University of Illinois Block Grant Fund Dissertation Fellowship (2012)
• Conference Travel Grant for Oversea Students, MOE(Taiwan) (2010)
• Conference Travel Grant, Graduate School at UIUC(2010)
• Conference Travel Grant, CATE Division of Dept. of C&I, UIUC(2010)
• Conference Travel Grant, MST Division of Dept. of C&I, UIUC(2008)
• Studying Abroad Scholarship, MOE(Taiwan) (2007)
• Outstanding Graduate Student Scholarship, NTNU (2005)
• MOE subsidization for doctoral students presenting at overseas conference (2005)
• Outstanding Undergraduate Student Scholarship, NTNU (2001)
• National Championship, Extra-curricular Clubs Evaluation among Universities (2001)

Activities & Services

• President, Taiwanese Studies Group, University of Illinois, Champaign(2009.09-2010.12)
• Treasurer, Taiwanese Women Studies Group, University of Illinois, Champaign(2008.09-2009.08)
• Company Commander, Wu-Shi Fishing Harber Inspection Office at I-Lan County, Taiwan Coast Guard(2006)
• Originator, Taiwan Association for Teachers Program Students, Taipei, Taiwan (2001)
• University Representative, the University Council, NTNU (1999-2000)
• Student Senator, Convener of Law Committee, NTNU Student Senate (1998)

Professional Memberships

• Member, Taiwan Association for Educational Communications and Technology (2011-)
• Member, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi(2008.09-).
• Member, American Educational Research Association(2008-)
• Member, American Federation of Teachers(2008.01-)
• Member, Graduate Employee Organization, UIUC (2008.01-)
• Member, Chinese American Educational Research and Development Association(2008-)
• Member, Extension Service Division, R.O.C. Education Society (2005)

Selected Publications

• Chen, Ken-Zen (Accepted). Exploring Teachers� Hidden Works in a Remote Initiative of Bridging Digital Divides. Eighth International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, May 16-19, 2012, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• Wu, Chien-Hua, & Chen, Ken-Zen (2011a). Challenges and Responses of Taiwanese Oversea Schoolsunder Economic Globalization:A Case Study of the Taiwanese Businessmen¡¦s Dongguan School. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 7, 181-214.
• Chen, Ken-Zen (2011d, Dec.). Passions to Bridge Digital Divides along with Endless Criticisms: The Case of OLPC Project. Paper presented in the conference of the TAECT 2011 Annual Meeting, Dec. 2-3, 2011. Chinese Cultural University, Taipei, Taiwan (in Chinese).
• Chen, Ken-Zen (2011c, Dec.). The First-time Learners� Prior Expectations and Learning Experiences on Synchronous Classrooms. Paper presented in the conference of the TAECT 2011 Annual Meeting, Dec. 2-3, 2011. Chinese Cultural University, Taipei, Taiwan�(in Chinese).
• Chen, Ken-Zen (2011b, Oct.). The implementation of general education through science curriculum: Joseph Schwab's contributions at the University of Chicago. Paper presented in the conference of The Role and Values of the University in a New Era: Legends, Reality and Prospects, Oct. 28-29, 2011. National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei.�(in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen, & Wu, Chien-Hua(2010, Apr.). Taiwanese international school under challenges: A case study of school's reactions in China/Taiwan economic transition. Paper presented at the 2010 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Apr. 30- May 4. Denver, Co.
• Chen, Ken-zen(2008, Mar.). Depicting a whole picture: A review of recent literature concerning international college students. Paper presented at the "CAERDA 2008 International Conference", March 23-24, 2008. New York: Chinese American Educational Research and Development Association.
• Lee, Yung-yin, Chao, Hsiao-mei, Lee, Men-wen, Tsai, Hsiao-feng, & Chen, Ken-zen (2008). The collaborative reflective professional growth group for resource classroom math teachers. Secondary Education, 59(1), 8-27. (in Chinese)
• Chao, Mei-sheng, & Chen, Ken-zen, & Wang, Yu-lan. (2007). Developing a set of indicators for evaluating e-Learning readiness. Training and Development Fashion,64, 1-20. (in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen(2006). Introductions to international journals on education fields: Curriculum. Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter Quarterly, 7(2), 62-67. (in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen,& Wu, Chien-hua(2006). Homeland or strange land? Probe identification images of Taiwan businessmen children through their learning experiences. Journal of Taiwan Normal University(TSSCI),51(2),173-194. (in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen(2005a). A philosophical and statistical review of causation in educational studies. Educational Resources and Research, 62, 68-84. (in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen(2005b).The model and development of Instructional Technology. In Yun-yin Li (Ed.), Diverse instructional designs in curriculum reform(ch.9)(pp.237-254). Taipei: Higher Education. (in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen(2005, July). An Analysis to the Revision of Senior High School Guidelines in Taiwan. Paper presented at "the Pacific Circle Consortium 29th Annual Conference 2005" , July 27-30, 2005. Sydney, Australia: New South Wales Department of Education and Training.
• Chen, Ken-zen(2005, Nov.). Who talks about information technology in education? The review of educational technology discourse in Taiwan. Paper presented at the "2005 International Sino Educational Conference", Nov. 25-27, 2005. Taipei, Taiwan: Department of Education, National Taiwan Normal University. (in Chinese)
• Chen, Ken-zen,& Lin, Liang-wen (2004, Dec.). The Exploration of Adolescents' Cyberculture: An Approach Introduction to Cyberethnography. Paper presented in the international conference of the 2nd Education and Information, Dec. 4-5, 2004. Fu-Guan Liberal Arts College, I-Lan, Taiwan. (in Chinese)

Selected Links

• Taiwanese Studies Group at UIUC
• College of Education Online
• Kenzen's CV (English)
• Kenzen's CV (Traditional Chinese)
• Kenzen's Blog