8th Annual International Symposium Agenda

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Opening Keynote: Marco Antonio Torres 

These are tough times and education leaders have to ask themselves, "do we quit, complain, or innovate now?" Hear Marco Antonio Torres' ideas about what learning should look and feel like today. For the first time, students and educators have access to the studio, the stage, and the community. We can now individualize the learning experience more effectively than ever, and give students and educators new opportunities to share their learning and their ideas online. Web 2.0 -- or the "more human" internet -- is a very practical and empowering environment to connect the power of the studio, the reach of the internet, and the individual/group. Marco will explore what "IT" looks like at the policy level, the administrative level, the community level, and most importantly, the classroom level. Explore the NEW and NOW questions we need to be asking.

The panel will review findings from several major research projects dealing with the use of digital technologies by school age children, as well as findings from surveys of parents, students, teachers, superintendents, and curriculum directors around perceptions around new media in education. The panel will synthesize the various findings, draw conclusions and discuss policy implications and leadership challenges.    
Linda Burch, Chief Education and Strategy Officer, Common Sense Media,
Julie Evans, CEO, Project Tomorrow
Cheryl Lemke, President and CEO, Metiri Group
Aaron Smith, Research Specialist, Pew Internet & American Life Project

Moderator: William Gilcher, Co-Chair, CoSN International Advisory Council, and Media Projects for North America, Goethe-Institut in Washington, DC

Web 2.0 as a Resource for Learning at School and Home: Global Perspectives

Global leaders will explore the nature and extent of Web 2.0 usage in their countries and highlight similarities and differences.
Garry Putland, General Manager, Education.au, Australia
Stephen Breslin, CEO, Future Lab, United Kingdom,
Horn Mun Cheah, Director, Educational Technology Ministry of Education

Moderator: Nichole Pinkard, Director of Innovation, Urban Education Institute of the University of Chicago, United States

Lunch

Web 2.0 and Cultural Change in Schools

Web 2.0 represents changes that go beyond just new palette of computer applications.  Rather, these applications represent deep and significant cultural changes.  The consequences of these societal cultural changes for schools is “a work in progress.” 
Marc Durando, Executive Director, European Schoolnet - EUN Partnership,
Kathryn Moyle, Secretariat for the Australian Information and Communications Technology Committee, University of Canberra, Australia
Vanessa Pittard, Director E-strategy, British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, United Kingdom,
Stephen Waddell, Superintendent of Birdville ISD, TX.

Moderator: James Bosco, Project Director, CoSN, Web 2.0 in Schools: Policy & Leadership; Co-Chair, CoSN International Advisory Council; Professor Emeritus, Western Michigan University

What concrete steps are necessary to assist schools in developing responsible and effective policy and in implementing the leadership required to take full advantage of new digital technology.  This session will engage participants in a small group activity in developing the elements for action plan. 

Facilitated by Chris Dede, Professor, Harvard University

The title says it all. Mr. Berlin’s best selling book sparked an international conversation about the state of pop culture -- and particularly games.  In this keynote he will explore the implications of his thesis for our schools.