Interactive technologies have revolutionized how we communicate, collaborate and generate ideas and knowledge. How do these changes affect classrooms? How do teachers stay ahead of the curve, and at the same time prepare students for the future?

These questions and more will be explored in the ninth annual Advanced Broadband Enabled Learning (ABEL) 2010 Summer Institute (ASI 2010) Aug. 23 to 25 at York's Keele campus.

This two-and-a-half-day professional learning event, with a theme of Creating the Future Now, will feature keynote speaker Alec Couros, professor of educational technology & media and coordinator of information & communications technologies at the University of Regina, as well as spotlight speakers Garfield Gini-Newman, a lecturer at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, and Bill Muirhead, associate provost, academic, at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

Right: Alec Couros

Couros has given many workshops and presentations, nationally and internationally, on topics such as openness in education, social/networked learning, instructional design, digital citizenship and critical media literacy.

Gini-Newman is working with schools and school districts across Canada, and in the United States and Caribbean, to embed critical thinking in teaching from kindergarten to graduation. He was a finalist for the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History and has been nominated for his work in the pre-service program at OISE.

Left: Garfield Gini-Newman

Muirhead is responsible for the design of UOIT's technology-enhanced learning and mobile learning programs, which provide laptop computers and academic software to all students and faculty at UOIT. With extensive experience in international research into online learning, as well as the application of information and communication technology in higher education, he has received many awards.

At this year’s ASI, delegates will investigate the role of the Internet and other interactive technologies for teaching and learning and for building and sustaining professional learning communities. In addition, the ASI will heighten awareness of how technological tools and resources enrich learning and increase overall engagement in both teaching and learning. One of the goals of the ASI is to expand opportunities for delegates to reflect as individuals, share as teams, shape new learning experiences and to benefit from ongoing professional learning.

Right: Bill Muirhead

ASI 2010 is intended as both a guided and self-directed exploration of 21st-century educational tools and knowledge-building approaches that will create the future for teaching and learning now, and prepare all learners for success. It provides an opportunity to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas and become inspired about experiences with, and the possibilities of, learning with technology.

The annual event also features presentations, group discussions and hands-on workshops to develop knowledge and ideas for the effective use of technology for teaching and learning.

Sponsors for ASI 2010 are Microsoft Canada, Polycom, Apple, the Ontario Research & Innovation Optical Network, Pearson Education Canada, Duplicom Presentation Systems, MindShare Learning, Turning Technologies Canada and Sobeys.

For registration information and to view the event agenda, visit the ABEL Summer Institute Web site.

Republished courtesy of YFile– York University’s daily e-bulletin.