Yong Zhao, Ph.D. Yong Zhao is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education at the College of Education, Michigan State University, where he also serves as the Founding Director of the Center for Teaching and Technology as well as the Director of the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. Zhao is also Associate Director of the International Network for Educational Transformation, a U. K.-based organization that promotes global exchanges of educational innovations. He is a fellow of the International Academy for Education.

Dr. Zhao received his BA in English Language Teaching from China’s Sichuan International Studies University in 1986 and his M.A. and Ph.D in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the faculty at Michigan State University in 1996.

Dr. Zhao’s research interests include diffusion of innovations, teacher adoption of technology, computer-assisted language learning, globalization and education, and international and comparative education. Zhao has published extensively in these areas. His articles have appeared in AERJ and Teachers College Record. He received the 2003 Raymond B. Catell Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association. This award recognizes “a scholar who has conducted a distinguished program of cumulative educational research in any field of educational inquiry within the first decade following receipt of their doctoral degree.”

Dr. Zhao has extensive international experiences. He has consulted with government and educational agencies and spoken on educational issues in many countries including Chile, China, Ireland, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. He is currently leading the Education Research Group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) education network (EDNET). His current work focuses on the impact of globalization on education and the integration of Eastern and Western educational practices. <personal page>

Chun Lai, Ph.D.

Dongping Zheng, Ph.D. Dongping Zheng received her doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut and is currently an Assistant Professor at the Michigan State University. Her research focuses on technology affordances for second language acquisition and learning in cross-cultural settings, and technology integration into K-12 and teacher education. Her expertise in the field of education includes instructional design, web design and development, and teacher training. <personal page>

Ken Dirkin Ken Dirkin is the Chief Technology Officer for the Confucius Institute.  His responsibility is to oversee the production of technology related materials that will be disseminated by the Institute.  He also designs, develops and produces a wide array of video, CD, and Internet related products for the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence and the College of Education at Michigan State University. His interests lie in collaborative on-line applications and video production.  Ken is also an award winning documentary filmmaker, having won accolades for his 2003 film "Swarm and Destroy".

Lisa Payne Lisa Payne has been with the College of Education at Michigan State University for 15 years.  She has worked with the Center for Teaching and Technology, CEPSE Department, and Dean’s Office.