[posted on behalf of Dror Ben-Naim] What: Adaptive eLearning Forum When: Friday July 13, 9 am – 2 pm Where: Scientia Conference & Events Centre, University of New South Wales Randwick. Registration is free: http://adaptive-elearning-forum.eventbrite.com.au/ Context - a Revolution in Higher Education The context for the Forum is recent tectonic shift in the Higher Education sector that was recently described by The New York Times as a revolution and a tzumani. In essence, what we see is the beginning a global trend towards online delivery model for education in general, and Higher Education in particular. It is expected that the trend will be similar in fashion to the rollercoaster ride that the media sector has been through in the past decade; An implosion catalyzed by digital technologies to which the recent restructuring at Fairfax Australia and refocusing on digital media, can serve as an example. With H.E being Australia's 3rd largest export, a re-scrambling around the web represents a significant economic threat. The Adaptive eLearning Forum will focus on next-generation educational technology that enable rich, interactive and personalized learning environments. The aim is to provide context for Australian Higher Education institutions into cutting edge work on solutions for some sticking problems in the field (e.g. Science/ Medicine education online). Main Messages - Online is the Single Biggest Thing in Education since the Printing Press + Call for Action The main message of this forum is by all mean a call to action regarding the impeding revolution in H.E. Other messages include: the need for incorporating rich interactive environments that are intelligent and adaptive to students' needs, challenges in moving the teaching of Medicine Science and Engineering online, and potential solutions and approaches for these problems. Keynote Speakers - From Words to Action MIT Emeritus Professor Woodie Flowers will provide critical overview on MIT's recent announcement on the $60m edX project with Harvard (ref) and will present an updated version of his Education Reform speech. ASU professor Ariel Anbar - a science educator will discuss challenges in teaching science online and how his Smart Course Habitable Worlds redefines science education in Arizona State University. RMIT Prof. Philip Poronnik (soon to be appointed Head of Science Education at Sydney University) - on CUBENet - a network of communities of Science educators and researchers and the need to share expertise, technological infrastructure and resources in the quest to ensure Australia remains a scientifically literate society. Registration is free: http://adaptive-elearning-forum.eventbrite.com.au/ I'm attaching an invitation with further information. I would also like to kindly ask you to circulate this email invitation to colleagues who may find this event relevant to their area of work and interest. Dr. Dror Ben-Naim Founder, CEO +61 405 366 396 smartsparrow.com