The Keynote Speakers for the conference were :

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.

Keynote presentation and workshops

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.

Keynote PowerPoint