Convergent Discussions in the Fediverse
Jun 05, 2025. Workshop, OTESSA, Toronto.
This is a workshop that introduces new open source technology that supports 'convergent' discussions in the fediverse. The session includes segments on: the fediverse and introduction to major fediverse services such as Mastodon, Bluesky, Peertube, etc.; the dynamics on online discussion including especially the characteristics of 'divergent', 'linear' and convergent discussions; and a demonstration of convergent fediverse discussion software.
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Reframing Togetherness: Advances in artificial intelligence and the intersection of open learning
Jun 05, 2025. Lecture, OTESSA 2025, Toronto.
Outlines some recent advances in artificial intelligence, highlighting in particular their potential to impact open education, both positively and negatively. This means far more than online instruction and adaptive learning. It means more than open content and automated assessment. In particular, focuses on how AI is shaping and will transform how we understand ourselves as interactive, purpose-based and open learning communities.
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Design and Development of a Personal Learning Environment
Jun 02, 2025. Seminar, CNIE 2025, Canadian Network for Innovation in Education, Toronto.
The presentation outlines the technological and business model considerations addressing the challenges faced in the early years of PLEs, the elements of the system, and broader learning ecosystem requirements that will support PLEs in general. The is contrasted with the existing LMS infrastructure in order to highlight the pedagogical and economic advantages of an open and decentralized learning infrastructure, and advice will be provided to enable institutional support for a PLE ecosystem.
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Connectivism and Artificial Intelligence in education
May 16, 2025. Keynote, 3rd International Virtual Congress on Research, Innovation, and Educational Technology in Pre-University and High School Education, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, via Zoom.
What is the role of AI in education and its connection to Connectivist learning theories?
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On AI in Leadership and Project Management in Distance Education
Jan 28, 2025. , EDDE Doctoral Seminar, Athabasca University, Online, to Athabasca, Alberta.
What leadership approach provides maximum support for the exploration and appropriate implementation of AI in education? This is a talk I gave for the EDDE program at Athabasca University last night. Slides only at the moment; I hope to have audio and video soon.
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It’s time to redefine how we connect
Jan 26, 2025. , .
CList Announcement and Demo. CList is a personal learning environment (PLE) designed to support an individual learner connect and be a part of a wider learning network. It is open source, decentralized, and designed to be easy to install and use. View it here: href="https://ple.mooc.ca">https://ple.mooc.ca
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Assessment of Barriers to Educational Technology Acceptance
Oct 26, 2024. , CELDA 2024, Zagreb, Croatia.
This presentation summarizes major factors - technology acceptance models, risk matrices, validity measures - used to assess a survey of instructors on their acceptance of instructional technology. Transcript.
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Just In Time: Creating Dynamic Open Learning Resources Using GAI
Oct 08, 2024. , Open Education 2024, Providence, RI, via Zoom.
With the recent development of broadly effective generative artificial intelligence (GAI) this has led some to suggest that open learning resources can and should be developed at the time and point of need. The GAI could address each of the issues with static online learning resources (SOLR) by addressing it based on the learning need at the time of that need, as described by the specific prompt and the context of application. This presentation will provide an overview of the technology required to support such an approach. Transcript
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Intelligence Artificielle, E-learning et Réseaux Sociaux : Comment la technologie révolutionne l'enseignement
Sept 26, 2024. , Première édition du Forum national des enseignants, Ministry of Education, Morocco, Rabat, Morocco.
Cet événement rassemble actuellement plus de 3000 acteurs de l'écosystème éducatif lors de la première édition du Forum de l'Enseignant avec des experts renommés tels que id="ember845" class="ember-view" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stdownes/">Stephen Downes, Maha G. et Mounir Ghogho
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Artificial Intelligence in Education: Context, Rules and Limits
Sept 22, 2024. , National Teachers Forum, Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in conjunction with Mohammed VI Foundation for the Promotion of Social Works of Education – Training, Rabat, Morocco.
We are going to talk about artificial intelligence in education in broad, general terms. I will first discuss what AI is and how it works, ever so briefly, and then look at the three major topics of the conference: context, rules and limits. I interpret context as 'use', and will consider the many ways AI can be used in education. I interpret rules as 'principles' and consider what are the core principles governing how and why we use AI in education. And I interpret limits as practical guidelines, and consider appropriate mechanisms for teaching and learning, governance, and security. Transcript
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AI in Enterprise Learning Systems
May 26, 2024. , Summer Institute on Education and AI, Concordia University, Montreal.
This presentation provides a general perspective on the use of AI in enterprise learning systems like Learning Experience Platforms, Learning Management Systems, and Talent Management Systems, and what that might mean for learning.
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Open Education and Innovations in Teaching and Learning: Future Directions
May 15, 2024. , 2024 Open Education Bootcamp, University of Regina, Online, via Zoom.
Conversation between experts on the topics of open education, artificial intelligence, and the future of open.
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AI Ethics in a research context: current approaches and future challenges
Apr 30, 2024. , CAREB 2024, Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards, Online via Pheedloop.
Facilitated by some of Canada's leading experts in AI ethics, this workshop will provide participants with a solid grounding in the nature of AI tools and advances in AI ethics as well as examples of AI ethics challenges to date. Topics of discussion will include: reconciling inconsistencies between different frameworks, addressing the underlying tension between individual ethical principles (e.g. participant privacy versus data transparency), and how AI-specific guidance is situated within the broader landscape of research ethics and existing regulatory frameworks.
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Introduction to Open Online Learning
Feb 28, 2024. Seminar, Microlearning, Mackwacis Cultural College, Online via Zoom.
The idea of open online learning has been taken up by numerous colleges and universities, opening up new opportunities to many people previously unable to access higher education courses and materials. This presentation talks about the history of open online learning, the motivations for its development, open learning tools and resources available today, and the future of open online learning.
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Connectivism: What is it? How to apply it.
Jan 26, 2024. Seminar, Microlearning Series, Maskwacis Cultural College, Online via Zoom.
Connectivism is a relatively new learning theory that suggests students should combine thoughts, theories, and general information in a useful manner. Four key principles for learning: autonomy, connectedness, diversity, and openness. This presentation will outline the elements of Connectivism and model how it can be applied in an online learning setting.
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Introduction to Social Constructivism
Dec 15, 2023. Seminar, Microlearning Series, Maskwacis Cultural College, Online, via Zoom.
In this presentation I introduce the basic elements of constructivim and social constructivism, outline the relation to critical theory, discuss applications in the classroom, and consider criticisms of social constructivism. Unedited audio transcript.
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Introduction to AI Policies, Guidelines, and Frameworks
Nov 16, 2023. Workshop, Microlearning Series, Maskwacis Cultural College, Online, via Zoom.
This workshop looks at recent policies, guidelines and frameworks developed by governments and institutions for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. How are they created, and what things do they address? Participants have the opportunity to identify important values and principles in order to develop a starting point for discussion relevant to their own context. (Slides will be available shortly)
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Three Frameworks for Data Literacy
Oct 21, 2023. Seminar, 20th International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in a Digital Age, IADIS, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.
Data literacy education across three frameworks: the competency model defining data literacy, the assessment of data literacy competencies, and methods for the development of data literacy in an organization.
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