Panel Discussion on Diverging Directions in Educational Technology

In honor of its 40th anniversary year, the Educational Technology Program at Concordia University is hosting a live-webcast panel discussion, Diverging Directions in Educational Technology, Thursday, November 6, Hall Building, Room 523, 7:30 pm. A reception follows afterwards at McKibbin’s Irish Pub.

The panel explores the different directions that theory and research in educational technology has taken in the past 40 years, and specifically highlights four disciplines that are emerging within the field: distance education, design research, learning sciences, and human performance technology.

The event is chaired by Professor Bob Bernard, who also serves as Director of Educational Technology Programs.

The panel, to be moderated by Associate Professor Saul Carliner, features some of the leading researchers and theorists in educational technology, including

(o) Terry Anderson, Professor, Athabasca University

(o) Francois Desjardins, Professor, University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Associate Dean, Faculty of Education

(o) Manu Kapur, Assistant Professor, Learning Sciences and Technology (LST) Academic Group, National Institute of Education of Singapore

(o) Harold Stolovitch, Professor Emeritus, Universite de Montreal

People can participate in the panel discussion in one of two ways. For those who want to participate in person, they can join the “studio audience,” in H-523, where the moderator will be based. No reservations are needed to participate in the “studio audience.”

The rest can join participate online. Because a limited number of online seats are available, contact Ingy Bakir (i_baki@education.concordia.ca) to register and receive instructions on how to join the discussion online.

Concordia University launched its graduate Educational Technology program in September 1968 at then-Sir George Williams University. The program began by offering an MA degree, and has since added a Diploma in Instructional Technology (1972) and a PhD in Educational Technology (1981), converted this year to a PhD in Education). It is the oldest such program in the country and has graduated over 1,000 students, who work in the field positions throughout the world. Professor Gary Boyd, a founding member of this program, continues to serve on the faculty. To see highlights of the program, http://education.concordia.ca.