March 22 - 25, 2009 Ontario Convention Center

Keynote Topic: Human Computation

This talk is about harnessing human time and energy to address problems that computers cannot yet solve. Although computers have advanced dramatically in many respects over the last 50 years, they still do not possess the basic conceptual intelligence or perceptual capabilities that most humans take for granted. By leveraging human skills and abilities in a novel way, I want to solve large-scale computational problems and collect training data to teach computers many of the basic human talents. To this end, I treat human brains as processors in a distributed system, each performing a small part of a massive computation. Unlike computer processors, however, humans require an incentive in order to become part of a collective computation. Among other things, I show how to use online games as a means to encourage participation in the process.

Keynote Topic: Online Learning 3.0

The explosive growth of online learning masks a terrible secret--most online course fall far short of their potential. The reason? The predicatable cycle by which we utilize new technologies.
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Glen started his teaching career in Modesto in 1970 in working with the children of farm laborers in migrant education. He later worked for the Modesto City School District as a teacher from 1971 to 1974 and was an instructor for the Association of California School Administrators from 1987 to 2004. Glen served as an adjunct professor for National University from 1996 to 1999, the California State University, Sacramento Graduate School from 1997 to 2005 and Pepperdine University Doctoral Program from 1999 to 2001. Furthering his commitment to education, he has worked at the University of Southern California, Sacramento Center where he has served as an adjunct professor since 2005 and previously served as a clinical professor from 1999 to 2003.

Thomas is a member of the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Education Board of Advisors. He was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the Academic Standards Commission and served on the High School Exit Exam Committee.

Keynote Topic: The Revenge of the Digital Immigrants: Teaching with Media Technology

What veteran teachers suspected the research has proved: 21st Century students are different. With different attention spans, higher IQ test scores, and social networks, their sophistication comes earlier—with a different skill set. There is a silver lining: We can teach this “New Brain” more effectively, more efficiently, more engagingly. We have the technology! Media has evolved and education must evolve to match.
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