Speakers
Jennifer Hofmann, is a Synchronous Learning Expert and the President of InSync Training, LLC. In the eLearning field since 1997, she has experience using all of the major web-based synchronous delivery platforms. Jennifer holds a Masters of Education from Nova Southeastern University, with a concentration in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. Jennifer is a recognized thought leader in the field of synchronous learning. She is the author of The Synchronous Trainer’s Survival Guide: Facilitating Successful Live and Online Courses, Meetings and Events (Pfeiffer, 2003), Live and Online! Tips, Techniques, and Ready-To-Use Activities for the Virtual Classroom (Pfeiffer, 2004), and How To Design For The Live Online Classroom: Creating Great Interactive and Collaborative Training Using Web Conferencing (Brandon Hall, 2005). Additionally, she is a chapter contributor to The Handbook of Blended Learning (Pfeiffer, 2006), The AMA Handbook of E-Learning (The American Management Association, 2003), and The ASTD Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals (ASTD, 2008). She is currently co-authoring Tailored Learning: Designing the Blend That Fits (ASTD, 2009), a book focused on taking advantage of distributed technologies to create the best blended training solution possible.
Dr. Margaret ”Peg” McManus is the Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and former Director of the M.S. in Computer Information Science and of the M.S. in Information Technology Leadership programs at LaSalle University. She has taught courses in collaborative technologies, networking concepts, graphical user interface programming, databases, and computer literacy. Her research addresses computer supported collaborative learning and strategic planning for academic uses of information technology. Dr. McManus serves as a member of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Commission on Technology, of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Society for Information Management, and of the CIO Forum Executive Council. Dr. McManus holds a Ph.D. from Temple University, an M.S. in Computer Science from The Pennsylvania State University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Immaculata University.
Frank X. Gartland is the Vice President of Product Development & Technology for iLinc Communications, a leading web conferencing company. Frank brings nearly 16 years experience in the software industry holding executive and upper management positions in product strategy and development, marketing, sales, business development and publishing. Previously, he served as Director of Product Development at KnowledgeNet, where he helped pioneer the delivery of instructor-led training over the Web. He is recognized as a leader in virtual classroom technology and proven approaches to content delivery over the Web.
Curtis Lewis is the Director of Training for iLinc Communications. For most of his career, he has been responsible for delivering virtual classroom training classes on such topics as Learning Management System (LMS) administration and building content using various content authoring tools. Previously, he served as Training Manager for Thomson NETg, where he was responsible for analyzing technical knowledge gaps, and creating and delivering custom training to meet those needs. He has more than 10 years experience using synchronous and asynchronous technologies, including program design, content development, and delivery.
Dr. Nanette Miner has been an instructional designer for two decades. She is the President and chief consultant for The Training Doctor, LLC, founded in 1991. Nanette is unique in that she is able to design curriculum for all delivery mediums including the traditional classroom, asynchronous and synchronous eLearning, or a blend of all mediums. A popular speaker at industry conferences for over a decade, Dr. Miner is the author of The Accidental Trainer (Pfeiffer 2006) and co-author of Tailored Learning: Designing the Blend That Fits (ASTD, 2009). Dr. Miner also edited How To Design For The Live Online Classroom: Creating Great Interactive and Collaborative Training Using Web Conferencing (Brandon Hall, 2005) and founded the non-profit organization, The Accidental Trainer, which is a community of, and support group for, people who have found themselves thrust into the role of training from other lines of business.
Matt Ellis is the Coordinator of the Electronic Professional Education Program (ePEP) for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Matt’s background includes instructional design, adult learning theory, group facilitation, and strategic planning. During his career, he has provided skill training and other performance management solutions for the gaming, healthcare and financial services industries. Currently, Matt represents ePEP, the Electronic Professional Education Program located at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. ePEP provides innovate training solutions for System customers using the web, traditional classroom, virtual classroom, and videoconferencing. Previous to ePEP, His work at the Philadelphia Fed includes time spent in Business Development, Customer Service, and Human Resources. He has a Master’s Degree in Instructional Systems from Penn State University. Matt also teaches Organizational Dynamics for the Continuing Professional Education program at La Salle University.
Dr. Juan Leon is President of Juan Leon & Associates. He is an eLearning consultant and producer of virtual learning conferences. For more than a decade Juan has been helping commercial clients, academic institutions, and arts and cultural organizations make effective online learning happen. Recently, his clients have included AstraZeneca, Schering-Plough, DeVry University, the Business School at the University of Arizona, the National Constitution Center, and the Five Freedoms Project—an online community, supported by the Knight Foundation, that promotes 1st Amendment education in US public schools.
D. Mike Smith co-founded CommunicationsPro.com, whose byline is “We Build Confidence”. His background blends a combination of public speaking, financial services, and community involvement. Mike’s clients and friends say he shares a professional, yet sincere approach to building relationships and their practices. Mike’s 18 years of corporate experience in Sales and Marketing coupled with 12 years of being an Entrepreneur provides a well rounded outlook to communication and problem solving. His interest in generational issues stems from his active role as a Shriner as well as coaching business leaders of various ages.
Dr. Steven Just is Founder and President of Pedagogue Solutions. He holds a Master’s degree in computer science and a Doctorate in educational psychology, and has been active in the field of testing and evaluation for over 20 years. He is the co-author of a college textbook and the author of more than one dozen articles on applications of technology to assessment. For the past 15 years, he and his company have been dedicated to promoting the use of effective assessments as a critical part of the learning process. Dr. Just teaches the popular workshop “Best Practices in Test Development and Validation,” which he has delivered over 50 times.
Dr. Sheella Mierson is President of Creative Learning Solutions, Inc. She improves organizations’ creativity and productivity by helping the people in the organization work together more effectively. She focuses on the people skills needed for productive teams, leadership development, diversity, and group problem-solving. In her first life as a scientist, she used Problem-Based Learning to teach physiology. As an organizational consultant, she used the method to help cross-functional R&D teams in the pharmaceutical industry. She has led workshops and published articles about the method as it is applied in both academic and business environments.
Erik Granered is an ITAP senior consultant with extensive experience leveraging strategic learning in large, dispersed organizations, learning management systems, training logistics, and cross-cultural communication skills for customer service agents and managers. Erik’s book Global Call Centers: Achieving Outstanding Customer Service Across Cultures and Time Zones (Nicholas Brealey, 2005) introduces culture as a competitive variable in how organizations present themselves around the world. It is a back-to-basics message that applies time-tested communication theories to the day-to-day challenges of managing a global customer service footprint. His work has appeared in and been highlighted in Asian Voice, Information Age, Times of India, Multilingual, Intercultural Management Quarterly, and Customer Service Newsletter.
