Ben Chang

Education

1997/07-2003/05: Ph.D., Department of Computer Science & Information Engineering, National Central University, Taiwan

1995/07-1997/06: M.S., Department of Information and Computer Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan

1991/07-1995/06: B.S., Computer Science & Information Management, Soochow University, Taiwan

Academic Positions

2024/08-  Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts, National Central University, Taiwan
2020/08- 2023/08: Director, Center for Teacher Education, National Central University, Taiwan

2020/08-2023/08: Head, Graduate Institute of Learning and Instruction, National Central University, Taiwan

2018/08-2021/01: Division Chief, Registrar Division, Academic Affairs, National Central University, Taiwan

2018/08-2021/01: Division Chief, Center for Teaching and Learning Development, National Chiayi University, Taiwan

Research Highlights

Dr. Ben Chang is a Professor at the Graduate Institute of Learning and Instruction at National Central University, Taiwan. He currently also serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the same university.

He studied learning technology at National Central University and received his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Information Engineering in 2003, with a research focus on EduCities: A Structured Network Learning Society. EduCities is a pioneering model of an Internet-based learning society, conceptualized as an educational city that connects individuals, institutions, and learning activities through a networked environment. Drawing on the metaphor of a city, it integrates real-world educational structures with online learning interactions.

Based on his experience in developing the EduCities platform, Dr. Chang co-founded an open social learning network, wikiSchool (https://wikiSchool.OpenLearning-Space.com), which promotes collaborative and self-directed learning.

Dr. Chang has been actively involved in international academic communities. He served as the founding Administrative Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education (APSCE). In 2005, he served as the Local Organizing Chair of the International Conference on Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL 2005). He has also organized workshops, tutorials, and interactive events for the International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE) over the years.

In addition, Dr. Chang has been actively involved in the development of the Interest-Driven Creator (IDC) Theory. He is a core author of the IDC Theory and the corresponding author of its foundational paper, IDC Theory: Creation and the Creation Loop paper.

Professional Honors and Awards

2025 Outstanding Industry-Academia Contribution Award, National Central University, Taiwan

2024 Outstanding Industry-Academia Contribution Award, National Central University, Taiwan

2016 Outstanding Academic Advisor Award, National Central University, Taiwan
2011 Young Researcher Leader Award, Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education
2011 Outstanding Administrative Work Award, National Chiayi University, Taiwan
2010 Best Short Paper Award, 10th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies
2003 Member of the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society

Research Grants

2024-2025:
Generative AI Combined with Speech Recognition and Synthesis Supported English Conversation Chatbot Design and the Establishment of Conversational Habits Study

 
2021-2024:
Teach to Learn (T2L): Social Learning Networking Supported T2L Design, Evaluation, and Outreach (MOST 110-2511-H-008-005-MY3)

2018-2021:
Social Learning Networking Driven Automatic Knowledge Process and Association (MOST 107-2511-H-008 -006 -MY3)

2016-2018:
Relational-Based Approach: Concept-Knowledge Cloud and Its Social Learning Networking Development (MOST 105-2511-S-008 -007 -MY2)

2013-2016:
Classroom Learning Network Based Gamification Apps Design and Its Human Factors Analysis (MOST 102-2511-S-008 -019 -MY3)

2012:
The Effects of Cognitive Styles on the Use of Novel Portable Devices: A Perspective of Group-Based Learning (MOST 101-2511-S-415-016-)

2010 - 2011:
Understanding Students’ Competition Preference in Multiple-Mice Supported Classroom (99-2511-S-415-006-MY2)

Selected Papers

1. Chou, C. Y., Chan, T. W., Chen, Z. H., Liao, C. Y., Shih, J. L., Wu, Y. T., Chang, B., Yeh, C. Y. C., Hung, H. C., & Cheng, H. (2025). Defining AI Companions: A research agenda -- From artificial companions for learning to general artificial companions for Global Harwell. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 20, 032.

2. Zendrato, R., Chang, B., & Fernando, A. (January, 2025). Utilizing peer instruction to enhance academic achievement and active learning in business education. Journal of Education, Innovation, and Communication (JEICOM), 7(1), 5-29. https://doi.org/10.34097/jeicom-7-1-1

3. Chin, J., Chang, B., & Shih, Y. A. (2023). Digital visual grammar concept map facilitated EFL holistic grammar comprehension. Journal of English Language Teaching, 10(1), 104-121. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.26858/eltww.v10i1.44939

4. Zendrato, R., Chang, B., & Cheng, H. (2023). Enhancing foreign workers' online learning interaction strategy: An action research in Indonesia Open University Taiwan. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 18(1), 238-256. Doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7863420

5. Looi, C. K., Wong, S. L., Kong, S. C., Chan, T. W., Shih, J. L., Chang, B., Wu, Y. T., Liu, C. C., Yeh, C. Y. C. Chen, Z. H., Chien, T. C., Chou, C. Y., Hung, H. C., Cheng, H. & Liao, C. C. Y. (2023). Interest-driven creator theory: Case study of embodiment in an experimental school in Taiwan. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning (RPTEL), 18, 23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58459/rptel.2023.18023

6. Shih, YA., & Chang, B. (2020). Empirical study on the effects of social network–supported group concept mapping. RPTEL 15, 23 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-020-00143-7

7. Shih, Y., Chang, B., & Chin, J. Y. (2020). Data-driven student homophily pattern analysis of online discussion in a social network learning environment. Journal of Computers in Education, 7, 373-394. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-020-00160-x

8. Chan, T. W., Looi, C. K., Chang, B., Chen, W., Wong, L. H., Wong, S. L., ... Chou, C. Y. (2019). IDC theory: Creation and the creation loop. RPTEL 14, 26. doi:10.1186/s41039-019-0120-5

9. Chan, T. W., Looi, C. K., Chen, W., Wong, L. H., Chang, B., Liao, C. C. Y., ... Ogata, H. (2018). Interest-driven creator theory: towards a theory of learning design for Asia in the twenty-first century. Journal of Computers in Education, 5(4), 435-461.

10. Chang, B., Shih, Y. A., & Lu, F. C. (2018). Co-construction concept through cloud-based social network platform design, implementation, and evaluation. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 19(5), 238-253. (SSCI) doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v19i5.3419

11. Chang, B., & Lu, F. C. (2018). Social media facilitated English prewriting activity design and evaluation. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 27(1), 33-42. (SSCI) doi: 10.1007/s40299-017-0363-0

12. Yu, F. Y., Hsieh, H. T., & Chang, B. (2017). The potential of Second Life for university counseling: A comparative approach examining media features and counseling problems. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning.12:24. doi: 10.1186/s41039-017-0064-6

13. Chang, B., Chen, S., Tsai, Y. C., & Lai, M. L. (2017). The effects of task activities and gaming scales on eye and visual search performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 16-25.

14. Yang, E. F. Y., Chang, B., Cheng, H. N. H., & Chan, T. W. (2016). Improving pupils’ mathematical communication abilities through computer-supported reciprocal peer tutoring. Educational Technology & Society, 19(3), 157-169.

15. Lu, F. C., & Chang, B. (2016). Role-play game enhanced English for specific purpose vocabulary acquisition framework. Educational Technology & Society, 19(2), 367-377.

16. Wang, J. H., Chen, S. Y., Chang, B., & Chan, T. W. (2016). From integrative peer response to game-based integrative peer response: High ability vs. low ability. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 32(2), 170-185.

17. Cheng, H. N. H., Yang, E. F. Y., Liao, C. C. Y., Chang, B., Huang, Y. C. Y., & Chan, T. W. (2015). Scaffold seeking: A reverse design of scaffolding in computer-supported word problem solving. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 53, 409-435.

18. Chang, B., Chen, S., & Jhan, S.N. (2015). The influences of an interactive group-based videogame: Cognitive styles vs. prior ability. Computers & Education, 88, 399-407.

Patents

• Learning and Creation System and Computer Program Product Based on Social Network (Taiwan Patent ID: 723602)

• Portable Cart for Mobile Computer Classroom (Taiwan Patent ID: 199970)

• Infant Ride Mean with Infant Studying Function and Infant Studying System (Taiwan Patent ID: I282528)

Academic Services

• 2012-2015 Executive Committee Member of APSCE

• 2011-2020 Executive Committee Member of Taiwan E-Learning and Digital Content Association

• 2004-2007 Administrative Secretary of Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education APSCE) (2004.1 ~2007.12)