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What is the best way for educators to use technology for the benefit of their students? Dubai Men's College recently hosted an event which aimed to answer this crucial question.

In attendance were over 70 educators from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University and other institutions.

The delegates gathered to hear two presentations by Dr Curtis Bonk, Professor of Instructional Systems Technology at the School of Education at Indiana University. The first presentation was entitled “Blended Learning: Situations, Solutions and Several Surprises”.

It addressed both the confusion and optimism about blended learning due to multiple blended learning definitions and approaches. Dr Bonk laid out several different models and definitions of blended learning as well as the advantages and disadvantages of blended learning. Dr Bonk also tapped into recent data he has collected on the present and future state of blended learning around the planet.

Bruce Stetar, an attendee at the presentations said “It was well worth seeing this highly energetic, knowledgeable speaker who is at the forefront of an important academic field.”

The second presentation was entitled “The World is Open: Now, WE-ALL-LEARN with Web Technology!” In education, opportunities for learning are expanding up through a myriad of emerging distance technologies. These opportunities can be seen in ten technology trends that spell the acronym: "WE-ALL-LEARN."

Technology-based learning continues to open new learning pathways. At the same time, more instructors are sharing their course materials and teaching ideas globally. And the software used to deliver such online learning contents and experiences is increasingly available as open source.

Naturally, many questions surround such systems, sites, and resources. Dr Bonk addressed these issues while enticing participants to think of implications for their organizations, countries, and regions of the world as well as for themselves as leaders and learners.

The event was organised by Mark Curcher, faculty from Dubai Men’s College Business & Financial Services department. Mark stated “It was really great to see colleagues from so many colleges and other institutions come together for Dr Bonk’s talk. For me it is an indication that faculty appreciated that the success of students is closely linked to their own learning and professional development. We are all lifelong learners and Dr Bonk brought out just how true that is in an Open World.”

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