Dr. Ken-Zen Chen is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Education, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU). He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education from National Taiwan Normal University, a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to returning to Taiwan, Dr. Chen served as an Online Learning Technology Consultant at the College of Education, University of Illinois, and as an Instructional Designer and Data Analyst at the eCampus Center, Boise State University, where he contributed to advancing online learning analytics and faculty digital professional development. In 2015, he was recruited to join National Chiao Tung University (now NYCU) through the Ministry of Science and Technology’s “Distinguished Talent Recruitment Program.”
In collaboration with Dr. Christine Bauer and Dr. Patrick Lowenthal, Dr. Chen received the 2015 Research Award from the National University Technology Network (NUTN), as well as the Distance Learning Journal Article Awards from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) in 2016 and 2017. He has also been recognized with three Outstanding Academic Advisor Awards, Teaching Awards, Distinguished Teaching Awards, and multiple OpenCourseWare Awards at NYCU, earning distinction as an exemplary mentor at the university.
Since 2016, Dr. Chen has collaborated internationally with renowned MOOC instructor Dr. Barbara Oakley to deeply localize the “Learning How to Learn” course series, successfully deploying it across five major Chinese-language MOOC platforms and podcast channels. This has created the largest cross-generational learning community in the Chinese-speaking world, with cumulative enrollment exceeding 300,000 learners. Dr. Chen has transformed these MOOCs into experimental fields for online teaching and learning behavior analysis, developing theories for sustainable MOOCs while leading his graduate research team in continuous analysis of large-scale learning behaviors and outcomes.
Currently, Dr. Chen co-directs the “ewant Open Education Platform” with Professor Jasmine Chang, Chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management. With over 700,000 registered learners, ewant has become Taiwan’s largest and most comprehensive flagship MOOC platform. He has also actively promoted collaboration with the College of Science to establish fully online self-directed learning undergraduate programs, developing data-driven evidence-based learning analytics frameworks that track university students’ self-regulated learning progress while connecting teacher education, the ARETE Program, and interdisciplinary educational environments. Through collaboration with faculty both within and beyond the university, he has successfully facilitated the reaffiliation of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Affiliated ChuPei Senior High School and the open education partnership between the Junyi Academy and NYCU, actively supporting open experimental education and diverse educational innovations.
Dr. Chen’s research spans digital divides, digital academic dishonesty, teachers’ digital pedagogical competencies, cross-border Taiwan schools, and large-scale online community psychology, demonstrating an interdisciplinary perspective that bridges theory and practice. He has also served as Associate Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and actively promotes campus arts and community engagement in his role as Director of the Faculty and Staff Choir, fostering diverse positive energy throughout NYCU.
As a seasoned speaker on digital pedagogy and AI applications, Dr. Chen is regularly invited to universities, educational forums, and international conferences to share his expertise in technology-enhanced teaching, MOOC course design, and cross-cultural education. He is dedicated to advancing the professional community of instructional designers in Taiwan, cultivating the next generation of interdisciplinary digital education talent, and aspiring to lead Taiwan toward a more open, diverse, and internationalized educational future through innovative openness and data literacy.

learning analytics, educational technology, AI application in Education, MOOCs