Keynote Speakers
Opening Keynote Speaker: George Siemens
Associate Director, R & D, Learning Technologies Centre,
University of Manitoba
George Siemens is a well-known theorist on the changing
nature of learning in a digitally-based society and is
an international renowned speaker on the subject.
Born in Mexico and currently living and working in Canada,
Siemens is the Associate Director in the Learning Technologies
Centre at the University of Manitoba and is the founder
of Complexive Systems Inc., a research and learning lab
focused on assisting organisations develop approaches to
meet the needs of changing learners, employees, and global
education and business environments.
He is also the founder of elearnspace.org, a web site/blog
that explores e-learning, knowledge management, networks,
technology and community and has been active in corporate
and higher education for more than a decade consulting
with corporations, government offices, learning associations
and NGOs on technology and learning.
Siemens believes existing educational perspectives must
be revised to meet the needs of today's learners and is
the author of Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital
Age and Knowing Knowledge - an exploration of the impact
of the changed context and characteristics of knowledge.
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George Siemens |
Hon. Kathleen Wynne - Invited
Kathleen Wynne was sworn in as Minister of Education on
September 18, 2006, and again on October 30, 2007.
She was
first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 and served
as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education
and to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Prior to this, she served as a public school trustee in Toronto.
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Hon. Kathleen Wynne
Minister of Education
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Closing Keynote Speaker: Jesse Hirsh
Jesse Hirsh is an internet strategist, researcher, and broadcaster
based in Toronto, Canada. He has a weekly column on CBC radio
and regularly appears on CBC Newsworld explaining and analyzing
the latest trends and developments in technology using language
and examples that are meaningful and relevant to everyday
life.
For two years, he was the host of an interfaith show
on the Rogers and OMNI networks called 3D Dialogue. That
show explored all the world’s religions and spiritual
paths through interviews with practitioners, gurus, holy
people, and cynics regarding their rituals, scriptures, and
beliefs (or lack thereof).
He owns and operates the consulting firm
Openflows Networks Ltd., which specializes in using open
source intelligence to develop internet strategies. Primarily,
this involves researching and deploying advanced platforms
and interactive campaigns for companies and organizations,
both large and small.
Educated at the McLuhan Program at the University of
Toronto, his passion is educating people on the potential
benefits and perils of technology.
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Jesse Hirsh |
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The
Council of Ontario Directors of Education Web SIte.