I’m honoured to invite you to participate in Canada’s 11th Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit —“The Future of Learning in Crisis and Beyond.”
It’s never been a more critical period in our history to gather with national, international and local thought leaders and key community stakeholders to come together to reflect, explore, and envision solving some of the most complex challenges in educating our future leaders due to COVID-19.
I’m thrilled to share that Tom Vander Ark, CEO, Getting SMART along with John Baker, CEO, D2L and Jeremy Hedges, founder, The Canadian Shield and Inksmith will be keynoting at our 11th Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit–The Future of Learning in Crisis and Beyond Task Force Thursday, October 29th, (Online delivery).
I’m further excited to share our Cross Canada Checkup panel is being finalized as we speak and will include notable global education thought leaders including; Dr. Andy Hargreaves, Dr. Michael Fullan, Dr. Mario Chaisson, to name a few exceptionally visionary experts. And not to be missed, the extraordinary, Katina Papulkus, Dell’s Canadian education strategist and former TDSB teacher leader always inspires us with her passion and insight.
This year, we’re pleased to walk the digital talk and offer a virtual conference online.
Please don’t hesitate to drop me an email robert@mindsharelearning.com or call me at, 416-569-2106 to discuss how we can partner with you to maximize you and your team’s participation in our national EdTech Innovation Summit.
Until next time, keep the digital learning curve steep!
Best,
Robert Martellacci – M.A. EdTech
Conference Chair
Founder and President, MindShare Learning Technology™
“The Mindshare Learning Ed Tech Summit brings together world class leaders in enhancing learning through cutting edge educational research and resources supported by technology.”
— Patricia Gartland, CEO/Superintendent School District No. 43 (Coquitlam), Co-Chair/Host, 10th Canadian EdTech Summit
“Congratulation on another successful event. Loved the lineup of keynote speakers!“
–Peter Singh, Chief Technology Officer, TDSB
“Thank’s to MindShare Learning for another great Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit!”
–Dr. Ron Owston, Dean Emeritus, York University Faculty of Education
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“Being recognized as a k-12 innovative educator among so many great Canadian teachers is such an a honour! I’m still shocked! I am inspired to continue to keep learning, sharing and teaching! Thank you MindShare Learning.”
— Brian Aspinall, Award Winning Educator, Author and Keynoter
Robert Martellacci (MA EdTech) is president of MindShare Learning Technology, Canada’s leading EdTech strategy, news & events company he founded in 2001. Mr. Martellacci is also president & co-founder of C21 Canada—Canadians for 21st Century Learning & Innovation.
Mr. Martellacci is a lifelong learner who is committed to connecting business and education to transform learning in the 21st century to support student success. He completed a transformational learning journey as a mature student earning a master’s in educational technology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California which inspired the creation of the MindShare Learning Report—Canada’s Learning & Technology eMagazine.
Mr. Martellacci has over 25 years of expertise and thought leadership in education as a former university administrator at York University; he also launched The Learning Company School Division for Kevin O’Leary which was the catalyst to forming his start-up MindShare Learning following the Mattel acquisition.
One of Martellacci’s signature slogans, “until next time, keep the learning curve steep.”
Peter brings 23+ years of K-12 sector technology know-how to his CTO portfolio. He has been at the forefront of bringing innovative technologies to the Toronto District School Board. He’s a practitioner of emotional intelligence who is spearheading the TDSB “Information Technology Services” team from a digital era to Quantum Age of Information Technology.
Dilson Rassier is the Dean of the Faculty of Education. Dr. Rassier holds a Canada Research Chair in Muscle Biophysics (Tier 1), and is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
Dr. Rassier’s research interests focus upon muscle physiology and biophysics, with a special interest in the molecular aspects of muscle contraction in health and disease.
Tom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations and learning organizations on the path forward. Tom is the author of Getting Smart, Smart Cities That Work for Everyone, Smart Parents, Better Together and The Power of Place. He previously served as the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and was a public school superintendent in Washington State.
John Baker founded the education technology company in 1999 at the age of 22 while attending the University of Waterloo. At the time, his engineering class was being challenged to look at the world in new ways by coming up with questions that no one had asked before.
John realized that despite all the change technology was driving in the world, his university campus seemed almost untouched by that momentum. The question he wanted to ask was clear: how could we use technology to dramatically transform learning?
He’s come to believe that one of the most important things we can do to help each other is to ensure that everyone has access to the best possible learning opportunities. Fast forward two decades and the technology he created is now helping millions of customers around the world – in schools, colleges, universities, government and business. Today, D2L is working with customers around the world to help learners at a scale that was hard to imagine in 1999.
A strong believer in community involvement, John devotes both his personal and business efforts to supporting young entrepreneurs who are developing and applying technology to improve society worldwide.
He was appointed to the Governing Council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Member (Entrepreneurs’ Circle) of the Business Council of Canada, Business Higher Education Roundtable, Past Chair of the Board of Communitech, and is a board member of Canada’s National Ballet School.
A born innovator with a passion for helping others, Jeremy Hedges is the Founder and CEO of The Canadian Shield, a company dedicated to saving lives through the production of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Founded in the midst of the COVID-19 global health pandemic, The Canadian Shield is Jeremy’s second entrepreneurial venture. He established InkSmith Education in January 2016 to empower students around the world with access to STEM-based 21st century technology tools, including 3D printers, robotics kits, laser cutters and virtual reality.
With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and subsequent PPE shortage, Jeremy quickly adapted InkSmith’s business operations to begin manufacturing and distributing face shields for frontline healthcare workers. Using its state-of-the-art manufacturing automation equipment, Jeremy and the InkSmith team began producing The Canadian Shield en masse and delivering them to healthcare facilities across Canada.
Acknowledging the critical need for PPE to meet Canada’s present and future healthcare demands, Jeremy has transformed The Canadian Shield from a face mask to a full-fledged advanced manufacturing company, with product expansion plans underway.
Agile and resilient, Jeremy embodies the entrepreneurial spirit by embracing social responsibility, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
Experienced educator who supports digital transformations across Canada with K12 school districts and post-secondary institutions. The focus is always on learning amplified through technology. Skilled in Technology Enabled Learning, Education Leadership, Assessment, and Personalised Learning.
Steve Brown has made his mark in Canada and Internationally by leading organizations through digital transformation. His career spans a diverse mix of industry and technology experience from multi-media entertainment, logistics services, automotive, and now to learning solutions.
Since joining NELSON in September 2016, Steve has transformed the vision for this 104-year-old company by reimagining the role and purpose of a publisher in 2017 and beyond. Introducing a matrix driven view to the management culture, and unifying a K20 student-centric business division is at the core of this shift to a cohesive customer focused structure. He has reframed the organization’s digital competency by instituting a technology department comprised of some the world’s best and brightest talent based in Silicon Beach California. Additionally, over the past 12 months the company has engaged in various M&A activities, including the acquisition of one of its largest competitors, as well as signing numerous agency and partnership deals to ensure NELSON offers a world class portfolio of learning solution and for all its markets.
Steve’s passion and commitment to transforming education, and the student learning experience, continues to fuel the innovation pipeline at NELSON.
Maxim Jean-Louis is President – Chief Executive Officer of Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education and Training Network, headquartered in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Maxim worked in senior management roles for over 15 years at Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada’s open university.
He is also a member of the Comité consultatif en matière d’éducation postsecondaire en langue française dans les régions du Centre et du Sud-ouest.
Maxim is a former Chair of the Board of Directors of the World University Service of Canada and of the Optical Regional Advanced Network of Ontario, as well as a past member of Ontario’s Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board, and he served as a member of the Canadian Advisory Mission to support the implementation of the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority. He also served as President of Collège des Grands Lacs, one of Ontario’s three French-language community colleges.
In 2011, Maxim was appointed Special Advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for an Ontario Online Institute, producing a 125-page report and recommendations to the Minister on opportunities for online learning in the province.
Former Minister of Health, Education Early Learning and Culture with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Former school administrator and educator with 20 years experience in public education.Skilled in Coaching, Leadership, Public Speaking, Team Building, and Public Relations. Strong community and social services professional with a Master of Education (MEd) focused in Counseling Psychology from UNB.
Dr. Bonnie Schmidt is the founder and president of Let’s Talk Science, a national education charity that she started in 1991 while completing a PhD in Physiology. Let’s Talk Science helps children and youth fulfill their potential and prepare for their future careers and citizenship role by supporting their learning through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engagement. The organization offers a robust suite of programming for youth, educators and volunteers, engaging over 9 million people since its inception.
Bonnie is very interested in education systems change, and during 2016-18, she spearheaded Canada 2067, an ambitious initiative to shape the future of STEM education.
An active contributor to the scientific and education communities, Bonnie currently serves on the Genome Canada Board of Directors and is a member of the Federal Government’s AI Public Awareness Working Group. In 2020 she was a member of the PISA Expert Strategic Visioning Group to the OECD, which set about developing a new vision for the international science test.
As Superintendent/CEO of Surrey Schools, Jordan leads one of Canada’s largest school districts. For the past 15 years, he has had the great fortune to lead in both the rural and the urban context and has an appreciation for places big and places small. Remaining active in supporting public education is near and dear to his heart and Jordan enjoys presenting, facilitating and leading conversations about change, organizational cultures and the challenges and joys of leadership. With a Master’s in Educational Administration, a Ph.D. in Curriculum and as a trained and certified Executive Coach, Jordan believes in supporting and nurturing the people that deliver and lead services and programs in service of learning. Active on social media and enjoying his passion of writing through his blog, Jordan believes in sharing as a means to broaden outreach as a way to support all who work and serve in education.
As a global education technology executive, Peter builds high performance businesses with winning cultures where ethics and desire to win are core, decisiveness key, and diversity and inclusion central. Peter serves as worldwide president of Texas Instruments’ flagship education technology business, leading the strategic direction and connecting to execution plans that deliver superior value to customers, employees and shareholders, and inspiring students to fall in love with math and science.
He is Past President of the International Congress of School Effectiveness and Improvement, Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Professional Capital and Community, recent Adviser in Education to the Premier of Ontario and currently to the First Minister of Scotland, and founder of the Atlantic Rim Collaboratory : a group of nations committed to broadly defined excellence, equity, wellbeing, inclusion, democracy and human rights.
Andy has consulted with the OECD, the World Bank, governments, universities and teacher unions worldwide. Andy’s more than 30 books have attracted multiple Outstanding Writing Awards – including the prestigious 2015 Grawemeyer Award in Education for Professional Capital (with Michael Fullan). He has been honored with the 2016 Horace Mann Award in the US and the Robert Owen Award in Scotland for services to public education. Andy is ranked by Education Week in the top 20 scholars with most influence on US education policy debate. In 2015, Boston College gave him its Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award. He holds Honorary Doctorates from the Education University of Hong Kong and the University of Uppsala in Sweden. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
His most recent book (with Michael O’Connor) is Collaborative Professionalism: when teaching together means learning for all (Corwin, May 2018).
Author, Speaker, Educational Consultant
Michael Fullan, O.C., is the Global Leadership Director, New Pedagogies for Deep Learning and a worldwide authority on educational reform with a mandate of helping to achieve the moral purpose of all children learning.
A former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto, Michael advises policymakers and local leaders around the world to provide leadership in education. Michael received the Order of Canada in December 2012. He holds honorary doctorates from several universities in North America and abroad.
Award-winning, internationally recognized entrepreneur, learning architect, speaker, author, humanitarian and Canada’s top 10 power women,2020
Dr. Billan is the President and CEO of Viewpoint Leadership and an expert on Psychological Capital. She completed her PhD at the University of Toronto and has designed and facilitated programs, courses, and training sessions across industries and sectors. She led the groundbreaking national research study on Tall Poppy Syndrome which reveals the impact of the silent systemic syndrome on women in the workplace. In 2020, she co-led the Canadian Happiness at Work study, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, and was the inaugural National Ambassador for the Not Myself Today® campaign with CMHA.
Dr. Billan was named Canada’s Top 10 Power Women in 2020, and has been twice named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
Director of Research, Innovations and Change Management at District scolaire francophone Sud
Dr. Mario Chiasson is known for his practical insights on learning innovation. He is experienced and equipped to make big things happen. As the founder of My Learning My Space, Mario has helped countless organizations and institutions (schools, districts, ministries, colleges, universities, business and communities) to navigate through disruptive change, develop innovation capabilities and drive continuous improvement. From startups and small projects to educational and community reform.
Mario is a researcher that focuses on the design of spaces that influence the learning and the teaching process of new skills aligned with the innovative society. He holds a Bachelors degree in Physical Education with two concentration (Math and Science), a Masters in school administration with a focus on ICT and a Ph.D in Education at Université de Moncton, New-Brunswick, Canada. He is a Microsoft Innovative Teacher, a Cisco IT Essential Teacher, an Apple Distinguished Educator, an Apple Certified Trainer.
Executive Officer – IT Services TDSB
Peter brings 23+ years of K-12 sector technology know-how to his CTO portfolio. He has been at the forefront of bringing innovative technologies to the Toronto District School Board. He’s a practitioner of emotional intelligence who is spearheading the TDSB “Information Technology Services” team from a digital era to Quantum Age of Information Technology.
A Canadian speaker, poet, musician and philanthropist
As an alumni of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, Wali Shah is a poet and public speaker. He’s delivered TED talks, created poetry for corporate events, narrated voice overs for commercials, and spoken at hundreds of schools and colleges across North America. Wali has toured Canada coast to coast as a WE Day performer, and closed out President Barack Obama’s keynote speech with a bespoke poetic message in Toronto. He’s impressed notable figures with his freestyle poetry and performances, including: Seth Rogen, Chris Hadfield, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kendrick Lamar. Wali has also served his hometown, as Poet Laureate for the City of Mississauga. His work inspires thousands to follow his voice, his journey, and his advocacy — Wali Shah is the people’s messenger.
We are pleased to announce the 5th Annual Canadian EdTech Awards – Celebrating Excellence in Canadian Innovation & Education.
Voting will take place in the following four categories:
Congratulations to last year’s winner:
Under the leadership of founder Robert Martellacci MindShare Learning Technology is Canada’s Leading EdTech Strategy, News and Events company. Through our vast national network of education and technology solution providers, MindShare was inspired to launch the Canadian EdTech Innovation Summit to better serve a rapidly growing sector that was fragmented and not clearly understood by stakeholders. Our continuing passion is to provide professional learning opportunities in a focused forum to support and nurture deeper insights for both education and technology stakeholders; to inspire innovative learning environments to support student success and to maintain Canada’s leadership in education on the global stage.
Education Leaders -Senior administrators from K12 and post-secondary institutions including superintendents, CIO’s, IT Directors, Principals and provincial government education officials focused on learning and technology. Passionate & innovative teacher leaders.
EdTech Leaders – Education Technology solution providers focused on the K12 & Post-secondary market segments.
EdTech Start-Ups – Innovators and developers of Educational Startup’s.
Students – All students who are passionate about Learning and Technology from K12 to post-secondary. Special Pricing Available!
… and those who are globally minded and prepared to learn, engage and champion 21st century learning models for success
The EdTech Leadership Summit is your opportunity to hear some of today’s most influential thought leaders speak on education and it’s future. Our speakers come from every walk of the education landscape and provide multiple views, ideas and insight into education in the 21st Century. Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your knowledge with our Keynote presenters!
Share your ideas with other Educators, Industry leaders, and EdTech Start up’s at this years EdTech Leadership Conference. Gain new ideas to bring back to your classroom and find new avenues to incorporate pedagogy and technology into the classroom of the future. Our break out sessions will allow you to collaborate and share in an area of your interest, where you will come away with new and valuable knowledge and insight.
Meet other conference attendees from across Canada and beyond. Connect with leaders and innovators from the U.S, Canada and world wide; gaining new national and international perspectives on the classroom of the future. This is a great opportunity to expand your social network!
4:00PM - 6:00PM
Register and login online through virtual conferencing platform.
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Moderator
Robert Martellacci -President, MindShare Learning Technology
The Panel Includes:
7:30PM - 8:30PM
Virtual Networking Tool REMO
8:00AM - 8:30AM
Register and login online through virtual conferencing platform.
8:30AM - 8:45AM
Greetings from Robert Martellacci, Founder and Conference Co-Chair
Greetings from Peter Singh, Executive Officer – IT Services TDSB
Greetings & Opening Remarks from Dr. Dilson Rassier, Dean of the Faculty of Education, McGill University
Greetings from Dr. Tracey Burns, Senior Analyst, OECD Education & Skills
8:45AM - 9:30AM
Topic
The Future of Learning in Crisis and Beyond Suddenly, everything was online, edtech adoption has exploded, product roadmaps accelerated, investment soared. In this session Tom Vander Ark will review new tools that empower learners; new ways for communities to build agreements; new learning models that embrace the city as classroom; new missions that put contribution at the core; new advisory systems that guide next steps; and new ways learners can tell their story.
Q&A to follow
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Moderator
Alec Couros – Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning at University of Regina
The Panel Includes:
Dr. Andy Hargreaves – Research Professor in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College and holds Visiting or Honorary Professorships at the University of Ottawa, Hong Kong University, Swansea University, and the University of Stavanger in Norway
Dr. Michael Fullan – Author, Speaker, Educational Consultant
Dr. Rumeet Billan – Award-winning, internationally recognized entrepreneur, learning architect, speaker, author, humanitarian and Canada’s top 10 power women,2020
Dr. Mario Chiasson – Director of Research, Innovations and Change Management, District scolaire francophone Sud
Peter Singh – Executive Officer – IT Services TDSB
Katina Papulkas – Canadian Education Strategist at Dell
Wali Shah – Canadian Speaker, Poet, Musician and Philanthropist
10:30AM - 11:00AM
Exploring the Virtual Exhibit Area & build your personal learning network virtually by connecting with conference delegates.
11:00AM - 12:00PM
How COVID Made the Future of Work and Learning Happen.
John Baker of D2L looks at how the pandemic pulled us all forward by 7 years, overnight, and what this means for the way we work, learn and run our economy.
Q&A to follow
12:00pm - 12:30PM
12:30PM - 1:00PM
1:00PM - 1:30PM
1:30PM - 3:00PM
1. Re-imagining Future Ready Schools in a Crisis to Optimize Student Learning and Teacher Productivity Hosted by Patricia Gartland – CEO/Superintendent, Stephen Whiffin, CIO/Director of Instruction, Dave Sands, Principal of Technology Implementation, Dave Truss, Principal, Elaan Bauder, Learning Services Coordinator, Rob Heinrichs, Learning Services Coordinator of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) & Jim Stelter, President, Smith System & Jim Stelter, President, Smith System
2. C21 Canada Roundtable: C21 Canada Roundtable: Redefining the Canadian Education Learning Landscape- a COVID-19 Leader Playbook for Surviving and Thriving.
. Hosted by David Roberts, President C21 Canada
3. Pivoting to Hybrid, Blended & Online Learning Success Strategies. Hosted by Dr. Randy LaBonte, CEO, CANeLearn, Dr. Steve Joordens, Professor of Psychology, University of Toronto & Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, Media Smarts
4. CIO Round Table: Insights on Adapting to Crisis Learning & Beyond. Hosted by Peter Singh, CTO, Toronto District School Board & Dr. Mario Chaisson, Chair, C21 CIO Alliance.
5. The Business of Education: How EdTech Companies Adapted and Thrived in COVID-19 Learning Time. Explore Business Models for the future of learning Moderator: Kevin Custer, CEO, Arc Capital Development. Panel Includes: Ron Sedran, Managing Director Canaccord Capital, Saar Pikar, Managing Director Omers Ventures, David Smith, Canadian Trade Commissioner, Denver, & Phil Cutler, CEO, Paper Learning & Ami Shah, Co-Founder & CEO, Peekapak
6. Cybersecurity Education: Start’em Young! Hosted by Tyson Johnson, CEO & Executive Director CyberNB Inc. & Critical Infrastructure Protection Network & Dillon Donahue, Director, Workforce and Skills, CyberNB inc
7. Courageous Leadership in Challenging Times: contribute and explore best practises, in Crisis management that will be an integral part of the final Canadian EdTech Summit Taskforce Playbook. Hosted by Robert Martellacci, Conference Chair & Guy Tetrault founder Superintendent & CEO Sun West School Division
8. Simple Steps to Create a Learning Collaborative in Your Community. Hosted by Catharine Chamberlain, Senior Advisor, Erin Mills Connects co-founder & Mary Nanavati, Principle, Coach, Mentor, Erin Mills Connects co-founder. Community engagement to support learning is more important than ever. Using the Erin Mills Connects replicable model of community engagement, participants will learn simple steps to creating a learning collaborative that brings together parents, educators, service organizations and government officials to support children, youth, and families.
9. Never More Important: Social Emotional Learning during a Pandemic. Hosted by Jason Buccheri, Senior Partnership Manager, Discovery Education Canada & Hall Davidson, Senior Director, Global Learning Initiatives, Discovery Education. There has never been a more important time for educators and organizations to focus on social and emotional well-being. Join Discovery Education’s Hall Davidson and Jason Buccheri for an interactive session to learn more about how Foundations and companies support educators by building school tools for: SEL, well-being, self-esteem, drug refusal skills, health and wellness, Interactive websites, virtual field trips, student challenges, and modules for classrooms.
10. Personalized Robotics & Coding Education Designed for Virtual / Blended environments. Hosted by Keith Nelson, Education Solutions Manager, Logics Academy, Ramy Ghattas, President, Logics Academy
11. Bonus Webinar: How to Teach Online Effectively Using Zoom 2-3pm Hosted by Ron Owston, University Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar at York University. The registration link and details are at https://contactnorth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZpXCkoADQ_uPytwkgO-n0A
3:00PM - 3:15PM
Explore the Virtual Exhibit Area
3:15PM - 4:00PM
Topic:
Courageous leadership in challenging times.
4:00PM - 4:10PM
4:10PM - 5:00PM
Mississauga, ON, Canada
https://mindsharelearning.ca/