Brussels (BE) /Helsinki (FI), September 2009 - The EFQUEL Innovation Forum 2009 will cover a broad range of topics in eLearning and quality, and international keynote speakers will deliver innovative thoughts and examples of how to transfer them into practice. Every keynote is "moderated", which means that not only participants who are physically present at the Forum can interact with the keynote speaker; visitors watching the live stream can also post their comments and questions.
Gilly Salmon, professor at the University of Leicester, is one of the best-known experts in the use of eLearning in universities. During her speech at the beginning of the conference, she will discuss the virtual campus called the "Learning Zoo". Using this best-practice example, she explains how web-based media can contribute to the pedagogical process of learning in a creative and innovative way.
The next keynote speaker is Nnenna Nwakanma from Namibia, who is known for her passionate way of speaking about education. She is very active in several organizations that target the development of Africa, including the Open Source Foundation. Her presentations are always something special and very engaging. For the EFQUEL Innovation Forum 2009, Nnenna Nwakanma has announced that she will give "each person in the audience a piece of message about the importance and power of opening education".
In the evening of 24 September, Markku Markkula enters the stage of the TKK Dipoli to present his speech "Aalto University as a Breakthrough Initiative in Creating New Innovative Landscapes for Lifelong Learning". For more than a decade, Markku Markkula has been active in the field of education, serving in related committees in the Finnish Parliament and chairing networks like EUROPace. In his speech, he will integrate theoretical and pragmatic lessons in an interesting balance.
Brian Holmes, Head of Unit at the new Executive Agency established by the European Commission to manage the Community's programs in education, training and culture, will talk about "Quality in (e)learning Ecosystems - Support from the EU's Lifelong Learning Program". During his presentation, he will guide the participant to the leading question, "What is quality, and how is it developed". Holmes will also refer to the funding policies of the European Commission for projects and the progress of the Lisbon strategy.
On Friday, 25 September, Muneo Yoshikawa presents a new and innovative theory of learning between different cultures. Based on his Mobius integration philosophy, this type of integration may be called an "identity-in-integration" in which the uniqueness of each is intensified over and against the other. Using technologies of Web 2.0 in this model will raise the power of these tools in an extraordinary way.
