Etienne Wenger Keynote conversation with Susanne
Nyrop

Communities of Practice in an Interconnected World:

New Geographies of Knowledge and Identity

After an introduction of our conversation topic, Etienne and Susanne will invite online participants  in the chat room, to join the Skype conference, and take part in the dialog. We will have some slides to share as a starter, and for later reference. A link to these will be provided just in time before our session.

Abstract:

In conjunction with the Second Annual Webheads in Action Online
Convergence, Knowplace will offer a glimpse of the concept of
Un-Conference.  "Un-Conference" is a much less structured on-line form
of interactive, collaborative, exploration of educational subjects.
The session will have both synchronous and asynchronous elements.  The
main theme will be "The Future of Educational Technology".  Any person
can submit a topic for discussion and any person can respond to any
topic.  If the topic does not interest you, or you don't feel motivated

Out in the edublogosphere, we hear a good deal about visioning and experimenting with new worlds of education: dynamic, inclusive, connected, networked student-centered learning. But what about the realities facing teachers and students in traditional educational settings?

The iPod of today is the souped up version of the cassette recorder of yesteryear. With it, an ever expanding array of educational and authentic materials becomes available in a convenient and portable package. The presenters will show how they used the iPod in their listening/speaking class and how it changed the way they teach. The presenters will also show how the students used the iPods and discuss whither the iPod improved language learning.

Flo-joe is a website which offers free resources for Cambridge ESOL students. The website contains structured exam practice for reading, writing and grammar and vocabulary. This talk will look at how new technology presented two wonderful opportunities for us to offer speaking practice with the help of some of our students.
 

Education systems are continually presented with new theories, philosophies, and suggested practices. Many arise for a few moments of fame, and then pass into obscurity – a footnote in the many failed experiments in learning. What are we to make of our current educational climate? Blogs, wikis, podcasts, co-creation, content aggregation, global conversations? These trends – now over five years in development – ride on larger trends evidenced in technology, business, and society. When our teaching and learning shift to connections and conversations, what happens to content? This session will explore the implications of the informalization of learning and education, suggesting approaches to capture the best of emerging trends, while maintaining the best of what currently exists

In this session, participants will interact, collaborate and reflect further upon the necessary ingredients for a successful real-time online learning event, thus highlighting the importance of AEIOU (Attract, Engage, Involve Online Users) in synchronous online language learning and teaching.

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During this discussion, participants will interact and collaborate throughout the event, culminating in a group learning experience of reflection upon :

Dafne Gonzalez: Full Professor at Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela. She holds a Ph.D in Education, and a MA in Applied Linguistics. She designs and teaches blended and online courses. She coordinates the Graduate Programs in Education at the USB, and, is the coordinator of the TESOL Electronic Village Online.

Teemu Leinonen Keynote address