Keynote Speakers

Wednesday the 29th of September

Opening Keynote Speaker: Professor Sasha Barab

Sasha Barab dropped out from school … but is now a Professor at Indiana University USA

His journey between has taken him to many roles in many countries and colours his interest in developing and using games in education.

He will give the Opening Keynote Address of this year’s ECAWA State Conference.

Videogames and Transformational Play: Learning in the 21st Century

Professor Sasha Barab says:

In this talk, I will discuss a design methodology that we have used to support powerful learning and engagement as we foster a sense of dramatic agency as part of the learning experience. More than a theoretical discussion, I will ground these ideas in our work on the Quest Atlantis project where we have designed numerous curricular designs to support transformational play in which players take on the role of scientists, reporters, accountants, etc. who use academic content to resolve problematic fictional storylines that unfold in virtual worlds.

Be at Canning College by 9am on Wednesday the 29th of September for the Opening Keynote Address of the ECAWA 2010 State Conference to hear what Sasha Barak has been doing with serious games.

Read more about Sasha Barab at http://inkido.indiana.edu/barab/

 

 

Thursday the 30th of September

Keynote Speaker: Mr Greg Gebhart

Cybersafety in Schools – Creating Digital Citizens

Greg Gebhart will highlight the technological world that children live in, the risks to which they are exposed and the opportunities for pastoral care and welfare that enable teachers to make a critical difference to children’s well being.

Children are fully immersed in technology, from mobile phones and iPods, to chat programs and social networking sites. In many cases, students are putting themselves at risk of cyberbullying, online strangers and the uploading of inappropriate content which will have a large impact on their current lifestyles and future employment.

About the Keynote Speaker:

Greg Gebhart is ACMA’s Senior Cybersafety Trainer and one of Australia’s leading Cybersafety experts. He is recognised across Australia and internationally for his knowledge and passion for cybersafety in education. Greg has won many awards that recognise his contribution to technology and education in Australia, including ‘Australian ICT Innovator of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement by an Educator’ at the National Quality Schooling Awards.  

Download the  ECAWA 2010 State Conference Registration form