We are pleased to anounce that the following keynote speakers:

Nancy White (Full Circle Associates)

Nancy White is an international expert in understanding and practicing
online group facilitation of distributed work, learning and community
groups (presenter, writer, teacher, coach, facilitator, rapporteur). In
research conducted by Jenny Ambrozek and Joe Cothrel, Nancy was
listed as one of the “top influencers” in the industry.

In addition to this Nancy is the founding partner of Full Circle Training,
which develop collaboration and facilitation strategies,
communications, planning and Internet collaboration solutions for
non-profits, organizations and businesses.

Michael Barbour

Michael Barbour recently completed his Ph.D. in Instructional
Technology from the Department of Educational Psychology and
Instructional Technology at the University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia).
He has also completed his Master of Education (Teaching and
Learning), with concentrations in Literacy and Computers in Education,
and his Bachelor of Education (Intermediate and Secondary) from from
Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's, Newfoundland) and is
currently an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University in Detroit,
Michigan.

Michael's research interests focus upon two areas. Traditionally, his
program of research has focused on rural K-12 students learning in
virtual school environments. Specifically, Michael's research agenda
has spanned four areas: differences in student achievement based
upon delivery model and urban-rural distinctions and the factors
accounting for these differences; components of web-based learning
that students find helpful and challenging; characteristics of effectively
designed web-based courses; and whether new technologies,
particularly those that allow for interaction, in virtual high schools affect
how students learn.

However, recently his research agenda has developed a second focus.
As a social studies teacher, Michael found that it was a continuous
struggle to engage his students in the study of history. As the instructor
in our pre-service introduction to teaching with technology course, one
of the projects that his students would complete each semester was
the creation of a PowerPoint game. PowerPoint games use a
technology that most teachers have access to and facility with, MS
PowerPoint , to facilitate the creation of a project-based, electronic
board game with their students in a constructive environment. It is
Michael's belief through the process of game design; particularly the
writing of a game narrative and knowledge-based questions, students
will acquire a deeper understanding of the content material based upon
an adaptation of Sam Wineburg's levels of historical understanding.