Conference Agenda

2007 Technology Innovators Conference
November 15-16, 2007, Washington, DC

Thursday, November 15

7:15 – 8:30 a.m. — Registration and Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.— Welcome

Tracy Gray, Director, National Center for Technology Innovation Lou Danielson, Director, Research to Practice, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education Jane Hauser, Project Director, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. — Keynote Address

Jim Fruchterman, Chairman and Founder, Benetech and 2006 MacArthur Foundation Genius Award Winner Benjamin Stokes, Education Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation (moderator)

Jim Fruchterman’s model for Benetech, a leading solution representing socially motivated technology applications, is a visionary example of leveraging the power of the social network to enhance lives. As a leading social entrepreneur and technology developer, Jim will highlight his experiences in creating ground-breaking solutions that allow all individuals to achieve equality in society.

10:15 – 11:45 a.m. — Social Media: Where the Action Is

Tracy Gray, Director, National Center for Technology Innovation Peter Grunwald, Founder and President, Grunwald Associates Everett Harper, Director of Community Initiatives, Linden Lab (creator of Second Life) Sam Simon, President, Issue Dynamics Inc. (moderator)

Recent advances in social media have increased access to innovative means to expand global communications. This session explores the benefits of online collaborative tools that are driving revolutionary social networking opportunities.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. — Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. — Speaking Out on the Effectiveness of Research Regarding Educational Technology

Milton Chen, Executive Director, George Lucas Educational Foundation Gregg Downey, Editor, eSchool News (moderator) Cheryl Lemke, President and CEO, Metiri Group Yong Zhao, Professor, Michigan State University and Director, Center for Teaching and Technology and the US-China Center for Research on Education and Excellence

Today, more than ever, it is critical that technology products, devices, and tools have evidence pointing to their effectiveness. Panelists will report out on the latest findings driving the field, and the best practices gleaned from the research. A lively conversation will follow outlining effective strategies to communicate research-based findings in user-friendly terms to public and practitioner audiences.

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. — Breakout Sessions

Implementation in Real World Settings: Learning from Multiple Fields Sara Basson, Program Director, Speech Transcription Strategy, IBM Research (moderator) Dean Fixsen, Co-Director, National Implementation Research Network and the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute David Rose, Co-Founder, Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

Past initiatives—both successful and unsuccessful—offer a great deal of useful information as the field moves forward. This session will highlight lessons learned from a wide array of implementation efforts in education and related professional fields that reveal the core components of successful and sustainable initiatives. Panelists will disclose concrete, powerful strategies used to ramp up and replicate high-quality technology solutions in order to reach more students and have a greater impact.

Trends in Wireless and Portable Assistive Technology
James Baller, Senior Principal, Baller Herbst Law Group Mike Calvo, CEO, Serotek Corporation Larry Goldberg, Director, National Center on Accessible Media (moderator) Steve Jacobs, President, IDEAL Group

Wireless technology has transformed the way we communicate globally. This session will examine how advances in the field of wireless technologies are impacting the development of assistive technology products and services and how accessibility is impacting consumer technology development and consumption.

Implications of the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) and the Role of Technology and 21st Century Skills
Jim Fruchterman, Chairman and Founder, Benetech (moderator) Lucy Gray, Lead Technology Coach, Center for Urban School Improvement Chuck Hitchcock, Director, NIMAS Development and Technical Assistance Centers and Chief Technology Officer, Center for Applied Special Technology Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director, State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)

Now one year into implementation, the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) is beginning to impact publishing and procurement. Learn and engage in discussion around how the roll-out is progressing and what future challenges and opportunities lay ahead for technology developers and educators.

Commercialization: From Research to Market Reality
Kelly Carnes, President and CEO, TechVision21 Steve Ritter, Senior Vice President of R & D, Carnegie Learning Dan Steneker, CEO, CE Technologies, Inc. David Dockterman, Education Director, Tom Snyder Productions (moderator)

Taking a proven and effective model to scale involves the development of a strategic business plan and savvy marketing skills. This panel will outline the necessary steps and critical guidance on efficient and cost-effective commercialization and marketing of assistive and accessible tools to reach broader audiences.

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. — Networking Session and Chocolate Tasting 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. — Technology Expo Event and Reception

Join us for a fun, hands-on showcase of innovative technology tools and research. This informal event is the perfect way to connect with key leaders in the assistive and learning technology field from industry, academia, policymakers, government officials, and the media.

Friday, November 16

7:15 – 8:30 a.m. — Registration and Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. — Welcome to the Innovators Marketplace

John Kemp, Attorney, Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville (moderator)

Today’s agenda is designed to provide conference participants with ample time to hear from and dialogue with venture capitalists, public and private grant makers, and policymakers to establish priorities for research and development activities, shape the market, and increase demand for novel tools and products to assist all learners.

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. — Plenary

Al Miller, Executive Consultant, F·E·G·S Human and Health Services

Representing the Federation Employment and Guidance Service, Inc. (F·E·G·S), the largest human service organization in the United States, Al Miller will demonstrate the power of leveraging public-private partnerships to improve the overall quality of life and maximize independence for individuals with special needs. Based on his tenure of over 40 years at F·E·G·S, Al will outline the blueprint for integrating technology that leads to greater incentives for innovation.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Building Collaborative Funding Networks

Barry Fingerhut, Managing Partner, Synconium Partners Al Miller, Executive Consultant, F·E·G·S Human and Health Services Benjamin Stokes, Education Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation David Ferrero, Senior Program Officer, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Sylvia Clark, Executive Director, NEC Foundation of America

This interactive session will provide an excellent vehicle for participants to hear from leading national philanthropic organizations regarding the impact of investment in shaping the marketplace of ideas and innovation. Sufficient time will be made available for participants to engage in dialogue with presenters around key issues and opportunities to move the marketplace forward to make a difference.

12:00 p.m. — Conference Adjourns