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Abelearn » Professional Learning » ABEL Summer Institute [ASI] » 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

ABEL Summer Institute 2008

Theme Breaking New Ground: Designing Learning Landscapes
Date August 18, 19, 20 2008
Place York University, Keele Campus
Keynote Speakers Chris Dede (Professor at Harvard University) and George Siemens (University of Manitoba, Complexive Systems)
Agenda Pre-Conference, Core Conference

The seventh annual ABEL Summer Institute (ASI) themed Breaking New Ground: Designing Learning Landscapes was held at York University on August 18, 19  and 20th, 2008. At this summer institute students, teachers, administrators, faculty and ABEL public and private sector partners worked and learned together to design learning experiences enriched and enhanced by technology.

ASI 2008 was attended by 250 people, from across Ontario and Canada. This three-day institute presented a rich program including a  range of informative presentations, hands-on workshops designed to meet the diverse professional needs of delegates, and  lunch-time sponsor kiosks from Turning Point Technologies, Pearson Education and IBM. Keynote speakers featured George Siemens (University of Manitoba & Complexive Systems) and Dr. Chris Dede (Harvard). As well, delegates had the opportunity to network and socialize at the ASI reception and dinner held at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Also new this year, ASI 2008 was planned according to Environment Canada's Green Meeting Guide in an effort to make the event as ‘green’ as possible. ASI focused on reducing waste in areas such as energy consumption, procurement, communications, logistics, and food and beverage services.

ABEL was awarded an IBM Community Grant to develop Environmentality, an environmental, student-driven and teacher facilitated portal which was launched at ASI. Teachers and students can use Environmentality to support environmental curriculum and act as a repository of environmental digital media that will empower other youth and adults to be a part of environmental solutions.

ABEL Summer Institute 2007

Theme Intersections: Where Learner, Literacy and Technology Meet
Date Pre Conference: June 5 2007; Core Conference: August 19, 20 2007
Place York University, Keele Campus
Keynote Speaker Richard Worzel
Agenda Core Conference

At the Institute, participants experienced the many intersections in their professional lives: those moments when theory and practice come together, when we collaborate as a community of learners to integrate technology into classroom practice, and when our students engage in authentic and productive 21st century learning.

It's a wrap, everybody!
The 6th annual Summer Institute was composed of two conferences: the pre-conference on June 5 and the core-conference on August 19 and 20, both held at York University. The pre-conference was designed to introduce new ABEL members to the program and to prepare them for successful participation at the core-conference in August. Nearly 300 delegates participated in presentations and practical sessions that addressed the diverse professional needs of all ABEL members. he two-day conference featured futurist and keynote speaker Richard Worzel, who presented on the Future of Education in Canada and addressed delegates on the inevitable change in education as the world rapidly changes.
Post-conference survey results indicated that 96% of participants found that ASI offered a wide variety of activities meeting their diverse needs. Comments included: "the Institute was an extremely enjoyable and engaging conference!" "It was a great chance to spend time with like-minded educators and engaging conference!"

ABEL members: log on to the ABEL Community to access presentation video clips, slides, hand-outs and materials.

The ABEL program would like to thank its sponsors as well as everyone who participated in this professional learning opportunity! Sponsors: CISCO, YRDSB, Microsoft Education, Pearson Education Canada.

Main Seminars

Richard Worzel: "Preparing for Tomorrow: The Future of Student Learning"
Presenting a view of the future of the learner, literacy skills, and the role that technology plays in contributing to forward thinking and planning. View streaming presentation.
Dr. Lorna Earl: "Learning about Networked Learning Communities"
Presenting the significant role that networked learning plays in teacher professional growth and outlining the key enablers that make networked learning communities successful. View streaming presentation.
Dr. Ron Owston: "Teachers Can Make a Difference!"
Presenting job-embedded learning and confirms the value of situated learning. The impact of this professional learning model is enhanced by using blended learning design. View streaming presentation.
Dr. David Booth: "The Mouse in Everyone's House"
Bringing the 2007 ASI to a conclusion and tying the learner, literacy and technology so that the result is at the core of student success and achievement. View streaming presentation.

ABEL Summer Institute 2006

Theme Making Connections: Digital Literacy
Date Pre Conference: June 8; Core Conference: August 21, 22 2006
Place York University, Keele Campus
Keynote Speaker Marc Prensky
Agenda Pre Conference; Core Conference

During the pre-conference, delegates were introduced to the structure and benefits of the ABEL program. This one-day event was packed with hands-on sessions and presentations that prepared our new ABEL members for successful participation at the core-conference.
The 2006 ASI core-conference focused on assisting teachers and faculty to understand the attributes of the new age learner by assisting them in developing curriculum that addresses critical literacies and leverages broadband networks and information communications technology (ICT) for teaching and learning. In total, 220 people attended the Summer Institute, including students, teachers, and faculty and sector partners.

Marc Prensky joined us as raconteur, keynote and facilitator as he worked with both the digital native and digital immigrant to help make connections and foster teaching and learning experiences that support digital literacy. During an interview, Marc Prensky said, "ABEL has done something truly innovative. It is one of the first in the world to plan a conference involving students in the planning of their future education."

Survey results
- 81% agreed that ASI 2006 provided them with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their skills using technology
- 90% agreed that Marc Prensky's presentations at ASI provided them with a greater insight into how they learn best and increased their interest in using technology to learn
- Over 70% plan to use the technology and resources of the ABEL community during the academic year

Main Seminars

Marc Prensky: "Native vs. Immigrants: Top 10 List" and "Meeting the Digital Native"
Internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant and visionary in the areas of learning and education, Marc is founder of Games2train, an e-learning company. Marc has designed and built over 100 software games for learning.
Janet Murphy: "ABEL Professional Development Program 2006-2007"
As the ABEL Program Manager, Janet Murphy provides leadership in the implementation of broadband resources to students, staff and the community. This includes developing e-learning programs that support Virtual Schooling.
Wayne Sproule: "Engaging Video Conferencing Classrooms: Teach for Effective Learning" and "Essential Literacies for the 21st Century"
Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University, Wayne has also researched ways in which ICT may enahnce the best practices of school curriculum and instruction.

ABEL Summer Institute 2005

Theme Engaging the Learner
Date August 22, 23, 24 2005
Place York University, Keele Campus
Keynote Speaker Tom Wujec and Dr. Curt Bonk
Agenda Download
The 4th annual Summer Institute included a pre-conference program on August 22 and a core-conference on August 23 and 24. The pre-conference was designed for new ABEL members to assist them in developing core understanding about the ABEL program and to ensure their optimal participation during the core-conference. Attended by 99 delegates, they all agreed that the session was relevant and useful with respect to their participation in ABEL and that it assisted them in planning and developing of a curriculum that engages the learner.
The core-conference was attended by 111 people who participated in presentations and workshops where they learned about the attributes of the 21st century learner, the value of participating in professional learning communities and the design and benefits of action research.

Tom Wujec is a Fellow and Principal Consultant at Autodesk, the industry leader of 3D graphics technology where he works with Fortune 500 leadership teams to foster design and visual collaboration. Tom has developed several award-winning products and designs Visualization Studios for large organizations. Tom speaks on the topics of innovation, imagination and visual communication as a means of enhancing team intelligence and integrity.
Curt Bonk is Professor of Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University. Also a Senior Research Fllow with the DOD's Advanced Distributed Learning Lab, Curt has received the CyberStar Award from the Indiana Information Technology Association and is the president of CourseShare and SurveyShare.

Main Seminars

Tom Wujec: "Engaging the Learner, Part II: Imagination and the Learner"
Dr. Curt Bonk: "Engaging the Next Generation of Learners: Individualize or Not"