Speakers

Prof. Dr. Kursat Cagiltay is Professor of the Department of Instructional Technology at the Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. He earned his BS in Mathematics and MS in Computer Engineering from Middle East Technical University.

He holds a double Ph.D. in Cognitive Science and Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University, USA. He worked for METU Computer Center between 1988- 1997 and directed technical team of Turkish Internet project.

He is the director of METU’s Audio Visual Systems Research and Development Center and coordinator of Instructional Technology Support Office.

Professor Cagiltay is the founder of Turkey’s first Human Computer Interaction research and Application lab at METU. His research focuses on, Human Computer Interaction, Educational/Instructional Technology, educational neuroscience, Social and cognitive issues of electronic games, social informatics, technology enhanced learning and Human Performance Technologies.

Dr. Didar Bayır completed her doctorate in Istanbul University Information and Document Management Department and started her career in the Islamic Research Center for History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) as a librarian.  She than moved to an academic arena and served as the Head of Reference Services at Koc University. Her second position was the post of Assistant Director, and then she worked at the position of Library Director for 7 years at the same University Library. She has been serving as a faculty member at Istanbul Medeniyet University since February 2017.

She worked for several professional associations and institutions in different capacities, i.e. Turkish Librarians’ Association, LIBER (Association of European Research Libraries), ANKOS (Anatolian Universities Libraries Consortium). She was one of the country coordinators of the PULMAN-XT Project (2002-2003) supported by the European Union. She still has membership with several Turkish professional associations.

Dr. Bayır has several articles published in national and international journals along with books and book chapters.