iEARN Conference Proposal :: Forum

I cannot even begin to say how excited I am about the possibility that Canada may host the 2010 iEARN International Conference and Youth Summit. iEARN - http://www.iearn.org - is an incredible network of educators and students who use technology to communicate and collaborate with each other on real and meaningful projects that make a difference in the world. You can view iEARN's latest project book here - http://www.iearn.org/projects/2007-2008iEARNProjectBook.pdf

For those of us who have had the honour of attending one of these conferences, we all know that it is truely a life changing experience. To be able to share, to be able to create, to be able to connect with others from EVERY area of the world, realizing on a deep, heartfelt level, just how much we are truly alike, and how our differences are indeed causes for celebration, is an experience that has changed, not only how I teach, but who I am as a global citizen, and indeed, who I am right here at home.

This summer the conference was in Egypt. While we were there the iEARN Canada members met and we decided that we were ready to look towards having this conference here in Canada in 2010. It is a huge undertaking, but one that will be well worth every effort.

The first step is to put together a proposal that will be taken to the iEARN Assembly in the spring of 2008. A group of us in Ontario have put together a draft proposal that could be a beginning framework for our final submission.

This community is a place where we can all work together in order to make this dream a reality.  We want to make sure that this process is as collaborative as possible. Everything is open to discussion here. While we have used Georgian College as a great example of a location for the conference, we certainly welcome any and all suggestions.

An updated proposal can be accessed by selecting it from the files section on this communities home page or by clicking here - http://www.commun-it.org/community/proposal/files/49/190/iEARN+Conference+Proposal+Ontario.pdf

I have heard a lot about iEARN, but never really had time to find out more about it. Intrigued by Jim's message, I decided to view the brochure and was truly impressed by the scope of the projects that are available through this educational network. Unfortunately I work as the board support staff, so the only thing I can do is promote iEARN among our teachers.

 I certainly hope that Canada will be lucky to host 2010 conference.