Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor designate for the Open University to speak at ALT conf on learning tech

May 8, 2009 - PRLog -- The Association for Learning Technology announces a third keynote speaker for its 2009 conference. The conference title is "In dreams begins responsibility” - choice, evidence, and change and will take place at the University of Manchester, UK from 8-10 September 2009. Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor Designate of the Open University, will join Michael Wesch and Terry Anderson as keynote speakers.  Martin has over 20 years experience in global business training and education in organisations including Microsoft, Novell Inc, Sylvan Learning, Thomson Learning and New Horizons Computer Learning Centres, Inc.  He is currently General Manager responsible for product management, marketing and business development for the Worldwide Education Products Group at Microsoft.

Martin says he sees opportunities to “fundamentally alter the nature of learning by using technology to shift education from being content-centric to people-centric”.  He comments that he views technology very much as an enabler rather than a set solution, saying that “technology should provide as much choice as possible”.  

Keynote speakers previously announced are:
•   Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University, USA and active in research in new media, particularly digital media.
•   Terry Anderson, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Distance Education at Athabasca University, Canada. He teaches and advises students in the world's largest Masters of Distance Education program at Athabasca University and is active in research in the field of distance education, and elearning.

Key dates
•   Bookings will open in early May.
•   Presenters' booking deadline: 29 June 2009.
•   Earlybird booking deadline: 6 July 2009.
•   Bookings close: 14 August 2009.
To sponsor, exhibit, or attend as a delegate, please visit: www.alt.ac.uk/altc2009

Ends

Notes to editors:



ALT is a Registered Charity in the UK, number: 1063519

For media information on ALT, images, or to apply for a press pass for ALT-C 2009, please contact:
Catherine Dhanjal, TheAnswer Ltd
Tel: 01883 650434 or 0794 166 9925
Email: Catherine.dhanjal@theansweruk.com

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About ALT
ALT (the Association for Learning Technology) is a professional and scholarly association which brings together all those with an interest in the use of learning technology. There are over 200 organisational members from higher and further education institutions, private and public sector organisations and over 500 individual members. Sponsoring members include Becta, HEFCE, Microsoft, the Scottish Funding Council, Adobe, and the Learning and Skills Council.
ALT organises a yearly high profile conference – ALT-C, the title for ALT-C 2009 is "In dreams begins responsibility” - choice, evidence, and change . The conference takes place from 8-10 September 2009, Manchester, UK. http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2009/
Association for Learning Technology, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP
Tel: +44 (0)1865 484 125 Fax: +44 (0)1865 484 165 Email: admin@alt.ac.uk
URL: http://www.alt.ac.uk/