International Journal of Learning and Development

James P Takona
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5903-9821

Coppin State University
United States

James P. Takona is Professor in the Department of Instructional Leadership & Professional Development at Coppin State University, distinguished academic, author, and educational leader with over 25 years of experience in higher education, including serving as the founding Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Education. His scholarly contributions include key texts such as Educational Research: Principles and Practice (2002) and Primer to Developing a Successful Pre-Service Teacher Portfolio (Rowman & Littlefield, 2004), co-authored with Roberta J. Wilburn, which provides a comprehensive guide for pre-service teachers on creating portfolios to document professional growth. Among his most notable recent works is A Conceptualization of True Liberator Pedagogy: Foundations of a Transformative Educational Approach (2024), where he introduces True Liberator Pedagogy (TLP), a framework inspired by Paulo Freire, Lev Vygotsky, and John Dewey, emphasizing critical awareness, compassion, and transformative learning. Dr. Takona’s recent articles address contemporary educational challenges, including digital transformation and post-pandemic models, with publications such as Flipping the Script: Post-COVID-19 Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats amidst the Digital Revolution in Higher Education (2023) and Navigating the Confluence of Computational and Thinking: A Conceptual Framework (2023). His research also explores misinformation in digital environments, virtual instruction during COVID-19, and the transformative potential of service-learning. His work reflects a steadfast commitment to advancing educational innovation, critical thinking, and leadership.