You are invited to an event celebrating the official launch of the Ubiquitous Learning Institute of the College of Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The event will be held at the iHotel Conference Center (St. Mary's Road/1st Street) at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. We expect the event to end around 5:30 p.m.

The Ubiquitous Learning Institute is dedicated to research and development projects that explore the transformative potential of technological innovations that support "anywhere, anytime" teaching and learning.

The event will feature an inaugural lecture by Dr. Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies, Harvard University:

"The Evolution of Ubiquitous Learning: Semi-Smart Objects, Intelligent Contexts, and Cyberinfrastructure"

The embedding of limited "knowledge" into nearly every artifact and setting -- networked so that these "semi-smart" objects intercommunicate to form "intelligent" contexts -- can help to realize the full potential of ubiquitous learning. For example, a tree in Harvard Yard might offer information such as its botanical characteristics, an historic image of Harvard Yard about the time it was planted, and the contribution it makes to reducing local pollution and greenhouse gases. Based on the learner's response, the building adjacent to the tree might then provide further information. Powerful mobile wireless devices equipped for "augmented reality" can complement this distributed cyberinfrastructure in ways that empower learning through knowledge, communication, and expression "at your fingertips."

We will also be celebrating the publication of "Ubiquitous Learning," edited by Bill Cope and Dean Mary Kalantzis and published by University of Illinois Press, the first major publication sponsored by the Institute. Contributing authors include faculty and staff members from the Champaign-Urbana campus from a wide variety of departments and colleges.

Please join us. Refreshments will be served.