Who Is Erik Duval?

Erik chairs the research unit on human-computer interaction, at the computer science department of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

His research focuses on massive hyper-personalization ("The Snowflake Effect"), learning analytics, openness and abundance - topics on which he regularly keynotes. In practical terms, his team researches information visualization, mobile information devices, multi-touch displays and personal informatics. They typically apply their results to technology enhanced learning, access to music and 'research2.0′.

More information on his activities and research team can be found at the pages of his research unit, his publications (see also his google scholar profile and his microsoft academic search profile) and his presentations.

He also serves:

- as chair of the IEEE LTSC working group on Learning Object Metadata,
on the executive committee of the Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR),
- as a fellow of the AACE,
- as a member of ACM, and the IEEE computer society.
- on the Editorial Review Board and the Executive Advisory Board of the International Journal on E-Learning,
- on the Editorial Board of the IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies (TLT),
- on the board of editors of the Journal of Universal Computer Science,
- as a member of the informatics section of the Academia Europeae.

He co-founded two spin-offs that apply research results for access to music and scientific output, as well as the not-for-profit ARIADNE Foundation that promotes share and reuse of learning material.

What is this talk all about?

Open Learning Analytics

Learning is about empowerment. So, learning should be available to everybody. Open learning focuses on removing barriers and creating networks for authentic learning rather than the fake learning that characterizes much of formal education nowadays. As learning networks can involve thousands and as the interactions can be intense, the experience is sometimes overwhelming. However, as most activities take place on-line, we can collect the 'digital exhaust' in a Quantified Self approach to learning. Some use these traces for Educational Data Mining, in order to steer learners in the right direction. We believe more in a Learning Analytics approach where the relevant data are presented in an actionable way, in dashboards that put the learner in control.

About TED and TEDx

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)