Dr. Curtis Sparling (left) and Dr. Cathy Sparling presented at the 23rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education in January.
RSU Technology and Justice Studies Department Head Dr. Curtis Sparling and his wife Dr. Cathy Sparling were among the featured presenters at the 23rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education.
Held Saturday, Jan. 4, through Tuesday, Jan. 7, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the conference provided an opportunity for academicians and professionals from various education-related fields from all over the world to come together and learn from each other.
Both Sparlings presented together in two sessions, the first of which was titled “Bridging the Gap: A Collaborative Approach to Coaching and Advising Neurodiverse Learners.” This session highlighted the increasing number of neurodiverse learners in higher education and the need for collaborative efforts among faculty and staff to create inclusive environments.
The second presentation was titled “Breaking Barriers in STEM Education: Enhancing Applied Learning Experiences for Neurodivergent Learners,” which addressed the growth of neurodivergent learners’ interest in university STEM education and the current educational constructs that tend to support neurotypical learners.
The conference was attended by more than 1,100 participants from more than 47 countries around the world.
Dr. Curtis Sparling said he and his wife found the conference to be both “personally and professional rewarding,” and they intend to submit research efforts for next year’s conference.
Dr. Cathy Sparling is director of Student Access at the University of Tulsa. She served at RSU in the Department of Business from 2008 to 2019.