ROBERT BISWAS-DIENER

Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is a psychologist, researcher, and author. He is known as the “Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology” because his studies of positive topics such as happiness, altruism and hospitality have taken him around the world. His research has resulted in 8 books and more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. When not involved in academic pursuits, Robert consults with a wide range of groups on individual, team and organizational success. He is especially fascinated by effective pedagogy and has published a number of articles on new approaches to increase student engagement. He is senior editor of Noba, a publisher that provides educational materials to students and instructors free of charge. After work and on the weekends, Robert can often be found rock climbing in his home state of Oregon (USA).

Keynote: What is experienced in experiential learning?
There is a long and rich tradition of attention to experiential learning in formal education systems. The common assumption is that it is through doing (behavior) that learners have the opportunity to acquire skills, gain new knowledge, and interact with others.  Although behavior is integral to all experiential learning, it is possible that educators too often overlook the more psychological dimensions of experiential learning. In this presentation, Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener will introduce emotions as an integral part of the learning process.  He will discuss the ways that they influence attention, memory, and motivation. Robert will conclude by making specific classroom recommendations that will be applicable by a wide range of instructors, regardless of school setting or student population.

BACK