EVENT ORGANISERS:

MAJOR SPONSORS:

OTHER SPONSORS:

Graham Mirabito has spent the last three years as the Director of Solutions & Innovations at Telstra Corporation Limited. Having had twenty-five years experience in the IT Industry Graham has an extensive knowledge in this area.

Some of the more recent roles Graham has held include two years as the General Manager of Enterprises at Solution 6, a year as the Vice President of Global Sales & Operations at Telstra, and a two years as Managing Director of Telstra UK.

Gerry White is the Chief Executive Officer of education.au limited (www.educationau.edu.au), a company limited by guarantee and owned by the Australian education and training Ministers. The business of the company is to build and manage national education networks supported by distributed online information services for schools, vocational education and training and universities. The company does this through the use of collaborative, national processes utilising information and communications technologies, and through the formation of international and national alliances. Gerry is a regular keynote speaker and panelist at national and international conferences.

Gerry has been a teacher, Mathematics Consultant, Deputy Principal, Curriculum Management Consultant, and Principal with the South Australian Education Department, and Deputy Director of Catholic Education and National Co-ordinator of Information Technology and Telecommunications in Education for Catholic education across Australia.

Gerry has worked in education for over thirty years, specialising in curriculum and technology in education. His Masters graduate thesis examined the integration of computers with curriculum in schools including the impact of computer location and configuration on educational use.

Gerry founded the Computer Education Group of South Australia in 1984 and was its Chairperson for five years. He was also a member of the Australian Council for Computers in Education for many years. In 1987, Gerry became Chairperson of the Australian Computers in Education Conference. He was President of the SA Chapter of the Australian College of Education (ACE) and was admitted as a Fellow of the ACE in 1991. His Fellowship was awarded as recognition for his outstanding work in the field of technology in education.

Professor Ed Tywoniak is Chair of the Department of Communication at Saint Mary's College of California where he has served on the School of Liberal Arts faculty for the past 25 years. Doctor Tywoniak earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Saint Mary's College (1975), an M.F.A. in Electronic Music Composition from the Center for Contemporary Music at Mills College (1983), and a doctorate in Education from the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco (2001). Dr. Tywoniak's artistic and professional work spans a broad array of disciplines including radio broadcasting, music composition, multimedia production, and journalism; and his scholarly lectures and writings include essays on digital culture, the philosophy of technology, and teaching pedagogy within the context of social justice.

Anne Bartlett-Bragg, UTS, Dip HRM (Monash), BEd in Ad Ed (UTS), MEd in Ad Ed (UTS), currently lectures at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and is involved with the design, development and delivery of e-Learning qualifications and subjects at UTS un the Faculty of Education and most has developed the newly released AQTF qualification, the Diploma of e-Learning.

Anne is currently the Executive Director of the Learning Technologies User Group (LTUG) and also has a consultancy business, A2B Learning, which specialises in analysing, developing and delivering tailored training programs through the integration of e-Learning solutions. She is a regular speaker at events for the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) and has presented academic papers at both national and international conferences, most recently in the United Kingdom at the Glasgow Caledonian University.

Anne is particularly interested in the forms of communication that e-Learning is constructing and how current pedagogical practises can more effectively engage the learner through the use of both synchronous and asynchronous technologies. She is working on her PhD that will investigate the development of digital dialogues through the use of journals or blogs.

Peter Skippington, is currently the Executive Consultant, Professional Practices Unit of the Centre for Innovation and Development, Queensland Department of Employment and Training. The Professional Practices Unit provides leadership and direction to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in vocational education and training (VET). It achieves this goal by working collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive and cohesive teaching, learning and assessment capacity building program.

Prior to his current role, Peter worked for many years in the development of policy frameworks and strategic approaches to flexible learning for the vocational education and training sector in Australia. In particular, his work with the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) in flexible learning has contributed to the development of more flexible and open approaches by Australian learning organisations. Peter has also undertaken commissioned projects in relations to learning technologies, professional development and program evaluations for many Australian agencies.

Dr Adrian Vranch, BSc PhD CEng CITP MBCS, is an engineering graduate with a BSc (Hons) degree in Chemical Engineering and a chemical engineering PhD in Two phase flow in non-circular ducts, Dr Adrian Vranch has over 27 years experience of working as a lecturer, researcher and manager in computing and information services within UK higher education. He is also a member of the British Computer Society, a Chartered Information Systems Professional and a Chartered Engineer.

Now working as Academic Developments Manager, Adrian has a focus on the development of telematics technologies within the University of Plymouth. He has a particular interest in novel applications that integrate the use of telematics technologies, especially including satellite transmissions, video conferencing and Internet learning portals. He has been involved in bidding for and completing several telematics-related research projects, comprising international partnerships and funded from a variety of sources. During the last five years these include WIRE (Why ISDN Resources in Education (Ten-Telecom), Euronet (EC/ESF ADAPT Programme), SANTTSUR surgeon training (European Space Agency ARTES 3), mrcsTV (industry sponsorship) and VirTEPPE (EC Framework Programme 5).

Dr Vranch has recently been working in Brussels as an expert evaluator for EC Framework Programme 6 research proposals. He is a member of the organizing committee of the annual DIVERSE international conference and is a member of the iBoard of INNOVATE, the on-line academic journal.

Raymond P. Kulig, Manager of Videoconference and Distance Learning, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, USA has worked in the television production and videoconference field for 27 years and has produced over 100 training videos for the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center as well as other businesses and institutions. In the field of videoconferencing he has designed networks for two-way video, and operated and managed the medical center's distance learning system and personnel. Currently, over 3000 hours of lectures, training and informational vignettes are transmitted yearly over the medical center's TWIV, web and streaming servers. He is a two term past president of the VTEL Users Group Association, two term president and current board member of the Upper Valley Business and Educational Partnership and is on the planning committee of the New Hampshire Telemedicine Association.

Laurence Zwimpfer, BE(Hons) MPP(VUW) SM(MIT) MIPENZ, is an information and communications technology consultant specialising in the education sector. He has over 30 years experience in the telecommunications industry, with experience in engineering and marketing. During the last 15 years, his role has involved identifying new technology developments and helping to link these with industry needs.

He is a regular presenter at education and industry conferences on the use of computer and communication technologies as tools for enhancing learning and business performance.

Until April 1997, Laurence was employed as Business Futures Manager with Telecom New Zealand. He now has his own business providing strategic advice to Government and private sector organisations helping them plan for the new tele-age technologies.

He is a Harkness Fellow with degrees in Engineering from Canterbury University in Christchurch, Public Policy from Victoria University in Wellington, and Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA.

Laurence is Chairperson of the 2020 Communications Trust, President of the Australasian Teleconferencing Association, a member of the Minister for Information Technology’s ITAG (Information Technology Advisory Group), a member of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, a member of the (e)-Vision Trust, an executive member of the Distance Education Association of New Zealand, Chairperson of the New Zealand NetDay 2000 National Committee and Chair of the Board of Trustees at Wellington Girls' College.

Penny Skerman, Dip Tch ECE, B Ed ECE, MEd ECE0, works at CQ TAFE and supports child studies students from Mackay through the Coalfields out to Longreach, in all areas of the child care field. Current teaching includes working with adults in study groups on the job, who are in C & K kindergartens, child care, outside school hour's care, family day care, trainees and apprentices. She supports flexible and blended delivery modes and is currently up dating her skills in E learning. She has had ten years TAFE teaching experience, 16 years teaching experience and 3 years consultancy within C & K.

Rosemary Shanks, Dip Tch Prim, B Ed, Grad Cert TESOL, has had 7 years experience working at CQ TAFE, with the child studies students from Mackay through to the Coalfields out to Longreach, in all area of the child care field. Current teaching includes working with adults who are employed in C & K kindergartens, child care, outside school hour's care, family day care, trainees and apprentices, and non employed students who are venturing into the child studies field. Within this time she has moved from face to face teaching to flexible blended delivery using video conferencing, email and video streaming amongst other methods. Previous to TAFE Rosemary has worked as a child care, primary, preschool and music teacher, both locally and overseas.

Dr Graeme Salter, University of Western Sydney, is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Western Sydney. His research interests have focused on online teaching for many years and he is currently the Director of the Re-learn (Research into e-learning) group at UWS. This is an active group with 12 permanent academic members, 6 research students, a well-appointed lab and links with numerous external members and industries. He has over 30 refereed publications in the area of e-learning and is in demand as an external reviewer. Past projects he has been involved with have attracted over $350,000 in funding. One of these projects won an Australasian award for 'Exemplary Use of Electronic Technologies in Teaching and Learning in Tertiary Education'. His doctoral thesis, for the award of Doctor of Teaching, examined the use of online teaching in staff development. This also provided considerable experience as an online learner - he met his supervisor, who was on secondment in New Guinea, for the first time face-to-face at his graduation! He uses both face-to-face and online modes for local students. He makes more extensive use of flexible learning technologies with offshore students he teaches in the Masters of Information Technology Management degree run in conjunction with Auston College - Singapore.

Patrick Kunz has a current position as Learning Designer at Ectus Ltd., a spin-off company of the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. He has his PhD in field of educational videoconferencing, a Master of Biological Sciences, and Certificates of Education (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH/SFIT). Patrick has worked as teacher, trainer and consultant in Secondary and Tertiary Education and as scientific assistant at the Institute for Behavioural Sciences (ETH/SFIT).

Craig Cockerton is the Product Development Manager at Ectus Ltd. Having worked in the fields of videoconferencing and video streaming for over 6 years with a focus on education, he has his Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours (BCMS Hons).

Joanna Tarnowska, PGDip Computing, MA English Studies and a GradDip Computer-Based Learning, is a Learning Designer and Project Manager at Ectus Ltd. As a member of the learning design team within Ectus, she provides pedagogical advice and support for those engaged in e-learning and teaching. Joanna is responsible for managing a number of e-learning developments using LMS software and multimedia resources.

Michael Brown, B. Sc., Dip Ed., B. Psych.,M. Ed. Admin., is currently Manager of Student Support Services at TNQTAFE. Previously involved in RATEP (community based teacher education) and Principal of Central and High Schools.

Felicity Mandile, B.A (Visual Arts), B.A (Dance) + B.Ed, M.L.M.Ed, is a dance teacher with the VSS, Education Queensland. Prior to her secondment to the VSS in 2004 as a full time teacher, Felicity had worked extensively throughout 2003 in collaboration with the VSS to conduct the first feasibility studies for delivering a practical curriculum via ICTs to a range of geographical locations around QLD. In QLD Felicity has been involved with students of varying talents, backgrounds, locations and abilities in the Performing Arts. Her role in a winning Rock Eisteddfod at the state level, many musicals and curricula activities must not be overshadowed by her sincere dedication to linking Dance with ICTs, which is evident in her Masters study where she focused on 'Digital Dance'. This study exemplifies her obvious dedication to student learning, but also confirms her commitment to explore in greater depth the opportunities that ICTs can afford learners in the Arts. Most recently, Felicity can be linked to Danc'eD In the Spotlight, a regional Gold Coast dance festival involving more than 15 schools from both the primary and secondary level where she is the Director. Her vision to create this festival in 2002 means that now for the third year in a row, students across the region can proudly display their achievements in a festival environment dedicated to the celebration of dance.

Kerry Russo, B. Com Wel., is currently studying towards a Masters in Education majoring in Learning Technologies. Kerry worked as a counsellor and community worker for many years before moving to Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE's Ingham Campus to commence teaching in Community Services.

As the Lead Teacher for BRIT's Regional Campuses Community Services Unit, Kerry is responsible for community services training in the Whitsunday's, Bowen, Burdekin, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook. To meet the needs of these communities Kerry and her colleagues developed a blended/distributed delivery method that is pedagogically sound and proven successful in maintaining enrolments.

Kerry is at present working on a new project to engage rural secondary schools in community work training through the use of the new technologies. Her interests and passions are people, technology and of course the three men in her life.

Ken Rebetzke joined TAFE as a technical teacher in 1974 in Brisbane and has worked at the Barrier Reef TAFE in Townsville since 1976. In addition to teaching commitments in plumbing, WHS, and lecturing to students in JCU's Building degree, he has completed secondments as a consultant in the fields of industry liaison and commercial activities.

He has developed a special interest and expertise in gas training which has led to consultancies with Queensland Nickle, Xstrata copper recommending and delivering necessary training programs for their workforce flowing from the demand for re-training associated with the arrival of methane gas to industries in Townsville. His close liaison with industry has made him aware of the need to develop flexible modes of delivery. He has delivered Advanced Gas courses to 12 centres across Queensland via Videolinq over the last 4 years and has just started delivering through Centra to further widen the opportunities for remote students to upgrade their skills in the gas industry in a cost effective manner.

Paul Crosisca, B.A., Grad Dip Teach, currently manages Videolinq, the TAFE Queensland videoconferencing network and has done so since 1996.

Paul is a qualified teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Film and Media) Degree. Upon completion of his training he worked firstly in the Northern Territory as a teacher where he became involved with the Indigenous owned and operated Tanami Videoconferencing Network implementation at Lajamanu in 1990. Moving to Queensland, Paul worked with Cairns TAFE to set up the Doomadgee (Gulf community) videoconferencing trial in 1994.

Having lived in isolated regions, Paul developed an interest in distributed education and the communication technologies that could provide access to quality learning experiences. In late 1999 Paul implemented instructional videostreaming facilities using the then PictureTel StarLive application. In early 2004 Videolinq adopted the iBrainz videostreaming platform. Brainz delivers videostreaming sessions to standard PC equipment on a dial up or broadband internet connection. Students may attend 'live' streaming sessions in real time or access 'stored' files at their leisure, 24/7. Interested parties can sample a videostream by clicking on the following link Videostreaming Promotion: An Introduction to Brainz

Paul is currently a member of the Advisory Committee of the Teleconnections Industry Group and a member of the Learning Technologies User Group.

Fred Nucifora, B. Ed., is the Reef HQ Education Manager. Reef HQ is the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world and is the Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef. Reef HQ Education forms an integral part of the Communication and Education Unit within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

After completing his education degree at James Cook University with a Physical Geography Major and a Zoology Sub-Major Fred spent seven years teaching senior Biology and Geography. Presently in his role as Reef HQ Education Manager, his team delivers face-to-face reef education programs to approximately 10,000 students annually. Fred has been project managing the Reef Videoconferencing program for the last three years with his major challenge being to expand the number of schools nationally and internationally that receive reef education via this medium.

Wayne Houlden is a Director of Janison Solutions. His background includes managing and developing computer information systems and teaching. As Head Teacher in Information Technology in TAFE he developed an interest in the possibilities of e-learning and was awarded a number of State-wide TAFE awards in recognition of the contributions he had made as a teacher to Information Technology.

Wayne started Janison Solutions in 1998 and the company has grown to be one of the most successful e-learning companies in Australia. Its customers base includes TAFE's , corporations, RTOs and universities. Janison remains at the forefront of e-learning technology with an active research and development program that regularly delivers innovative enhancements to Janison's suite of products.