ISTE 2010 > Program > Keynotes

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Exploring Excellence

How do you define excellence? What about your students? Your schools? Your peers? The pursuit of excellence is truly a state of mind rather than a means to an end. Aristotle once said, "Excellence is not an act, it is a habit." Whether exemplified through sports, the arts, science, academics, or cuisine, excellence is a cornerstone of how modern society defines achievement and success.

ISTE's mission includes clear language about technology's role in advancing excellence in learning and teaching. Each of our three keynote sessions features a unique perspective on excellence: looking at the global need for excellence, excellence within existing educational systems, and fostering learning environments that cultivate excellence.

Opening Keynote—Jean-François Rischard

Global Problem-Solving and the Critical Role of Educators and Technology for Education

Sunday, June 27, 5:45–7 pm, Wells Fargo Theatre (simulcast throughout CCC)

Paris, France, based Jean-François Rischard is the former vice-president of the World Bank and the author of High Noon, a 2002 best-selling book discussing non-geopolitical alternatives for solving the world's largest problems. Since leaving the World Bank in 2005, Rischard has been lecturing and working with myriad global agencies to support his premise. With a primary focus on how the power of technology and student action can be harnessed to help society develop better methodology for global problem-solving, his work has given traction and inspiration to curriculum worldwide.

"We indeed need two things on this beleaguered planet: 1) a new methodology for global problem-solving, that is, one that will help us navigate the very challenging decades ahead, and 2) a new mindset in the next generation...one rooted in a strong sense of being foremost a global citizen. With the global credit crisis not yet over, society still has more than 20 burning global problems on our hands that must get resolved within the next 20 years, if we are to avoid the massive and adverse planetary consequences many of them bring in their tow."

Come engage in an hour of out-of-the-box thinking about where education has a huge and system-critical role to play, and where new technologies can be of enormous help. The presentation concludes with a description of ongoing peri-curricular experiments to help make this new mindset take flight, as well as suggestions for four kinds of strategic curriculum changes.

This keynote session includes the presentation of the ISTE Outstanding Young Educator award, the Public Policy Advocate of the Year award, and remarks by ISTE President Helen Padgett. Moderated Q&A session with Mario Armstrong in the Wells Fargo Theatre follows from 7:15–7:45 pm (during Opening Reception); this session will be simulcast to the conference lounge spaces, and will also be available and rebroadcast via the ISTEVision Network. At his request, Rischard's Keynote presentation will not be webcast or made available on Video-on-Demand.

Tuesday Morning Keynote

Innovation & Excellence: Buzzwords or Global Imperative?

Tuesday, June 29, 8:30–9:45 am, Wells Fargo Theatre (webcast live & simulcast throughout CCC)

Tuesday's panel will feature a dynamic group of global education enthusiasts sharing their perspectives on the relevance and importance of excellence and innovation. Join Taking IT Global's Jennifer Corriero (Toronto, CA) as she moderates and explores this critical topic with:

• Karen Cator, Director of the Office of Education
• Technology, US Department of Education (Washington D.C., USA)
• Jean-François Rischard, former VP of the World Bank (Paris, FR)
• Shaun Koh, Student, Singapore
• Terry Godwaldt, Director of Programming, Centre for Global Education (Edmonton, CA)

ISTE CEO Don Knezek will give opening remarks and present the 2010 Outstanding Teacher of the Year, the SIGOL award, and the SIGMS awards. This session will be webcast live to the Internet and also simulcast to various locations throughout the CCC. A moderated backchannel will be provided. See the Daily Leader, the ISTE 2010 Ning (www.iste2010.org), and the in-room display screens for the backchannel URL. This session will also be available on VOD via ISTEVision.

Closing Keynote—Jeff Piontek

Today's Global Learners = Tomorrow's Global Leaders

Wednesday, 2:45–4 pm, locations throughout the CCC including the Exploring Excellence Lounges and the Blue Bear Café.

Wednesday's keynote wraps up your conference experience with an inspirational look into the school leadership of Hawaii-based educator, Dr. Jeff Piontek. Selected as "the people's choice keynote" after a five-month modified crowdsourcing project, Piontek was nominated for his attention to excellence and his approach to delivering digital age education to digital age education to digital age students. Innovation and creativity can prepare students, teachers and leaders to imagine, design and build the future. This overview will showcase how everyone can explore their passion, preparing them for challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

After many years in the New York City area as a science teacher and Director of Instructional and Informational Technology, Piontek is now "Head of School" at the Hawaii Technology Academy (HTA). A unique state charter school, HTA has been transforming public education through a hybrid model of individualized learning that combines classroom and virtual learning across the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai. The school performed at the top of Hawaiian public schools its first year, and doubled its enrollment to 500 students by its second year.

His 2009 book, Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, Oh, My! Electronic Media in the Classroom, will be available for purchase at ISTE Central prior to the closing session on Wednesday afternoon. Piontek will be available in the Wells Fargo Lobby (Lobby D) for signing immediately following the session.

ISTE Deputy CEO and Conference Chair Leslie S. Conery will give closing remarks. Also look for an introduction to ISTE 2011: Philadelphia "Unlocking Potential" and an air-hotel-registration giveaway! The Outstanding Leader of the Year, the Kay L. Bitter, and the Sylvia Charp awards will be presented. The session will also be available via VOD on the ISTEVision Network. Tweet the keynote at #iste10keynote and add your own minute-by-minute commentary to the event Twitter stream.