Monday, 21 June, 11.00-12.30, Hall A

LIFELONG LEARNING AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The relationship between the development of new technologies and lifelong learning has become a topic of increasing interest over the last decade. This is true not only because of rapidly changing technologies, but also due to dramatic changes in how nations and individuals think about lifelong learning, especially out-of-school learning for youth and adults. This panel will focus on various dimensions of these issues, from research, policy, and practice perspectives, with examples from around the world.

• Chair
  Dan Wagner (International Literacy Institute, Philadelphia) 'Principles for the effective use of new technologies for lifelong learning.'
  
  Dan Wagner is Professor of Education and Director of the International Literacy Institute (ILI), co-sponsored by UNESCO and the University of Pennsylvania; and Director of the National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL) at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Wagner has extensive experience in national and international educational issues, and is heading up several major projects on technology and basic education in the U.S., and developing countries. Among his professional publications, Dr. Wagner has recently published International Perspectives on the School to Work Transition (1999), Literacy: An International Handbook (1999). His email address is: wagner@literacy.upenn.edu
   
• Abdul Khan (IGNOU, New Delhi) 'Use of New Technologies for Non-Formal Distance Learning'
  
  Prof. Abdul W. Khan joined the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as Vice-Chancellor in June, 1998, following an illustrious career in national and international service. He has served as the President, Asian Association of Open Universities in 1998 and he is currently Vice President, International Council of Open and Distance Education, and Chairman, Distance Education Council, India. Most recently Prof. Khan has held the position of Principal Communications Specialist with The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada since 1992. His email address is: ignouvc@del1.vsnl.net.in
   
• Jan Visser (UNESCO, Paris) 'Lifelong learning in an environment of distributed resources.'
  
  Dr. Jan Visser is the architect and current director of UNESCO's Learning Without Frontiers coordination unit (LWF), a transsectoral entity that aims at addressing the deep social and political problems that confront humanity as they relate to the role of learning in society. Visser has a multidisciplinary background - including such diverse areas as physics, instructional systems design and filmmaking. He is currently working towards establishing the Learning Development Institute (LDI), a networked learning community devoted to excellence in the transdisciplinary research of learning and the development of its conditions. He can be reached by e-mail at jvisse@ibm.net
   
• Dr. Mike Potashnik (World Bank, Washington). 'New Approaches to the Adult Learner using technology'.
  
  Michael Potashnik is Lead Specialist and Head, Education and Technology Team and Sr. Advisor, Internet Management and Development in the World Bank. Mr. Potashnik heads a multi disciplinary team of specialists who provide technical support for Bank lending operations in education and training around the world. He has been deeply engaged in efforts to advance knowledge about the role of technology in teaching and learning in the developing world and under his leadership the Bank initiated a widely acclaimed technical notes series on education and technology and has developed an online knowledge directory, Global Distance Education Network which is available on the Bank's website: www.worldbank.org. He is the author of numerous World Bank technical papers and journal articles on distance education and the role of computers in teaching and learning." He can be reached by e-mail at Mpotashnik@worldbank.org
   
• Richard Venezky  (OECD, Paris). Title to be announced.

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