by Maria Driscoll

The impact of new teaching technologies on learning will be the focus of a two day symposium being held June 20 and 21 at the Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute in Charlottetown. Entitled TALENT Online - Teaching and Learning, Exploring New Technologies, this symposium for practitioners is sponsored by Holland College, UPEI, the NRC, and Human Resources Development Canada (Office of Learning Technologies - OLT).

For two years Holland College and UPEI have collaborated in a research program funded by the Office of Learning Technologies, a division of Human Resources Development Canada. The research program was entitled, "Evaluation of the Impact of Introducing Web-Based Learning Technologies on Post-secondary Teaching and Learning Processes". During the course of this study, interviews were conducted with Holland College Learning Managers, UPEI faculty and a range of managers and administrators at both institutions. Survey data was collected from students enrolled in a variety of courses and programs at both Holland College and UPEI.

The project has produced significant findings. Dr. Irene Novacaek, Research Coordinator for the project stated, "A primary observation by the research team was that practitioners in the area of technology are frustrated by a lack of time and opportunity to explore the potential of new technologies and that they want the chance to share their experiences with one another. It is our hope that TALENT Online will provide them with this opportunity."

The Opening Address will be given by Christian Couturier, Director, Atlantic Research Programs Institute for Information Technology, NRC who will speak on "Modern Teaching Technologies in Tertiary Institutions of Atlantic Canada". The Keynote Speaker at the event is Sandra Hodder, Director of Advanced Learning Technologies at Sheridan College. The focus of her address is "Working Together to Make Things Happen: The Sheridan Experience". Other presenters at TALENT Online are selected resource persons from Canadian educational institutions, NRC and the IT industry. Program highlights include: The Adoption of Web Technologies at Holland College and UPEI, The Art of Online Communications, The Role of Educational Technologies in Graduate Education and Using IT for Collaboration Among Regional Institutions.