Information Technology Archives | Research & Innovation

Quality text messaging by nurses and doctors linked to patient survival

muellerm — Mon, 08 May 2017 08:00:00 +0000

Research from 91��ɫ, UHN and Trillium Health Partners underscores the importance of quality communication in an emergency setting and points to policy solutions.

In medical emergencies, time is of the essence. So is the quality of communication. A team of researchers from 91��ɫ, University Health Network (UHN) and Trillium Health Partners studied text messages sent between nurses and physicians in deteriorating internal medicine patients requiring escalation to intensive care unit (ICU) to identify issues in failures to rescue. Looking at records from 2012 to 2014 at the Toronto General Hospital, the team found that message quality was positively linked to survival.

This new research, published this spring in the International Journal of Medical Informatics, provides policy-makers and hospital administrators with much-needed evidence to directly affect patient outcomes. It highlights the need for a standardized and responsive text-based communication system.

Researchers wanted to learn about the quality of the text messages between doctors and nurse, and if this were related to patient death

This research will help inform future policy initiatives and new approaches for hospital administrators.

Hannah Wong

“Communication about critically ill patients could be improved. There appear to be significant gaps in the quality of messages, their responses and delays in rapid response team (RRT) activation,” wrote lead author Hannah Wong (Assistant Professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Health) and colleagues.

Wong, a PhD in Industrial Engineering, utilizes statistical regression modeling techniques, in conjunction with system dynamics computer simulation, to study problems important to clinicians, health care managers and policy-makers. The goal is to guide the better design of policies to improve appropriateness and quality of care.

Text-based communications more effective than traditional pagers

Text-based communication is gaining popularity in the hospital sector and has been shown to be more efficient than traditional pagers. Since 2011, the Toronto General Hospital, part of UHN, has been using secure electronic text messaging.

Additionally, frameworks such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) are highly recommended tools to improve communication between nurses and physicians and have been found to reduce unexpected deaths.

“Communication about critically ill patients could be improved. There appear to be significant gaps in the quality of messages, their responses and delays.” – Hannah Wong

Study findings fill major void

Within this text-based context, the research team found that little is known about the communication between nurses and physicians about critically ill, or deteriorating, patients.

More specifically, the researchers wanted to know the following:

How many patients had a text message communicating deterioration?
What was the quality of the message?
Was message quality related to death?

Researchers studied 236 ICU admissions from internal medicine

The team reviewed all 236 admissions from General Internal Medicine (GIM) to ICU between January 1, 2012 and August 31, 2014. The majority of patients (160 patients representing 68 per cent) either did not have a critical text message that met calling criteria for RRT activation in the 48 hours prior to ICU transfer or already had RRT activation prior to a text message.

A critical message is defined as one that involves respiratory distress, oxygen saturation or an abnormal level of oxygen in the blood, an elevated heart rate or blood pressure, or a severe change in mental status.

The remaining 76 patients had a critical message. All critical messages in the 48-hour period prior to ICU transfer were analyzed for RRT calling criteria, time to RRT activation, message quality, presence of vitals, and the quality and timeliness of physician response.

Table: Examples of critical messages and responses
Legend: RR = respiratory rate; NP = nasal prongs; bpm = beats per minute; BP = blood pressure; pt = patient; NS = normal saline; TM = tracheostomy mask; A&O = alert and oriented; ABG = arterial blood gas; CCRT = critical care response team (rapid response team)
Critical message from nurse	Response from doctor
pt has increased RR. desaturating to 88% will put him on 2L NP. he is also tachy after transferring from chair to bed at 125bpm. his BP at 1700 was 83/49. Pls come and assess pt thnx.	Will assess shortly Please give 500cc NS bolus over 1��h
Hi, pt noted to have fever 39.4, tachy at 108, 02 sat 88% on 32%TM, changed to 50% TM o2 sat improved 93%. Please assess. Thanks	Thanks
Hi, Pt more confused compared to yesterday, A&Ox1, not responding to questions appropriately or not responding at all. please assess, thanks	Thanks
Hi, critical lab value returned for ABG, PCO2��=��99, pH��=��7.22, Bicarb��=��40, thanks	Will call CCRT now

Researchers found that message quality was positively correlated with in-hospital survival

Study findings point to areas for improvement

The key findings reveal some shortcomings in the system:

In only 40 per cent of cases was text messaging used to relay critical information about patient deterioration.
Message quality, specifically, the number of vital signs and SBAR elements, was poor: Only 45 per cent of messages contained two or more vitals, and only 3 per cent of messages contained SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations).
There was a median delay of nine��hours from critical message to RRT activation in patients where RRT was activated after a critical message was sent.
Physicians responded to critical messages quickly, but response quality was poor with nearly a quarter of responses only acknowledging receipt.

Study findings showed that message quality was poor: Only 45 per cent of messages contained two or more vitals.

This research will help inform future policy initiatives and new approaches for hospital administrators. “Educational and continuous improvement efforts in the adoption and optimization of text messaging capabilities within clinical messaging systems could improve rapid response and the quality of communication from nurses and physicians,” says Wong.

The article, “,” was published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics (April 2017). To learn about this research, visit the .

By Megan Mueller, manager, research communications, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, 91��ɫ, muellerm@yorku.ca

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New online tool SPARKs students and empowers their writing and research

muellerm — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ students can now ignite their research and writing powers, online, anytime. Launching on Oct. 16, the Student Papers and Academic Research Kit (SPARK) – a modular, online tool that can be accessed from any computer or mobile device – will provide students with the assistance they need to complete any aspect of an academic assignment.

Over the past three years project leads, Mark Robertson, associate university librarian, information services, Sarah Coysh, head, Frost Library, and Adam Taves, reference and instruction librarian, along with a steering committee and advisory board comprised of the Libraries, Learning Skills Services and the Writing Department, have developed SPARK’s 12 online modules.

“We actually started considering the concept of a virtual learning commons, that could be accessed anytime and anywhere, more than five years ago,” explains Robertson. “We had the Learning Commons at Scott Library but we wanted to recreate that ‘space’ online knowing that many 91��ɫ students study at home, or while commuting to and from campus.”

“We had the idea – the framework for SPARK – but we didn’t have the funding until the was created three years ago,” Coysh continues. “SPARK is an initiative that we’re very passionate about and have spent years developing. Launching SPARK, and evaluating the effect the modules have on further developing students’ academic literacy competencies, will be extremely rewarding for us.”

Capturing the recursive nature of research and writing, and how various aspects of these activities are intimately tied together, was one of the team’s top priorities.

The SPARK modules are organized into three categories, “Getting Started,” “Exploring” and “Pulling it Together,” and focus on key academic literacy skills such as: time management, research strategies, essay structure, essay editing and creating bibliographies. The SPARK modules consist of interactive components including test-your-knowledge quizzes, videos, and printable worksheets that are designed to enhance academic literacies while empowering students to take greater ownership in developing these skills.

It was that theme of empowerment that became the foundation of the SPARK awareness campaign, which was developed by the steering committee in partnership with the communications and design agency, 12Thirteen.

“The students that we spoke to both in focus groups and through concept testing revealed that they appreciated that SPARK allowed them to choose when, and how, they wanted to learn. From those consultations the theme of empowerment emerged,” explains Taves.

Sobia Ali, a second-year student in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, had an early introduction to SPARK as a focus group participant. “All the students in the focus group noted that SPARK will make a significant difference in their academic careers. ��The modules are intuitive, helpful, and easy to navigate,” explains Ali. “Perhaps best of all, the modules encouraged me to be reflective and ask myself different, more deductive questions.”

The focus group participants’ feedback became the basis of, “The power of SPARK” awareness campaign, which illustrates how SPARK can transform any student into an empowered “super-student.” Featured in the campaign are Ali, along with Drew Pinkerton, a fourth-year student at Glendon, and Tristian Reid, a recent graduate (’13) from the Faculty of Health.

To celebrate the official launch of SPARK today (Oct. 16) students, faculty and staff are encouraged to come by the atrium in Scott Library from 11am to 3pm for SPARK demonstrations and giveaways.

Similar launch events will occur at the Bronfman Business Library on Oct. 17 from 11am to 1pm, the Steacie Science and Engineering Library on Oct. 18 from 11am to 1pm and the Frost Library at Glendon Campus on Oct. 21 from 1pm to 3pm.

For more information about SPARK, questions about integrating specific modules into courses, or to provide general feedback, please contact askspark@yorku.ca.

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New online tool created to help 91��ɫ researchers promote their discoveries

muellerm — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Do you have an upcoming research story or unique discovery that you want to share with the 91��ɫ community or external media?

Now you can send it to the Research Forecast, a new online tool designed to assist researchers with submitting their ideas for stories about upcoming discoveries, publications or events to communications staff in the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI) and the (C&PA).

The purpose of the Research Forecast is to ensure that��communications staff in VPRI and C&PA are aware of important research underway so that they can first determine its newsworthiness and target audience, and then proactively promote it through C&PA Media Relations to external media, and through YFile to the 91��ɫ community.

91��ɫ Researchers should consider submitting upcoming news to the Research Forecast if they have advance information about a significant discovery, publication, exhibit, event or other research product that will be made public in the coming weeks or months. Researchers,��if��they have knowledge of a research project that will be of interest to the wider public, even though it may still be��in progress with no findings or products available yet, should also submit the information to the Research Forecast.

Researchers are asked to submit their story ideas and/or notice of upcoming events and publications as far in advance as possible to facilitate the appropriate development time needed for stories when media opportunities are identified. VPRI and C&PA staff will work with researchers to respect publication embargoes.

to access the Research Forecast form to submit your story for consideration, or visit the Research website and click on the Suggest a Story��link.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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Feds announce millions for new project: 91��ɫ a major partner

muellerm — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:00:00 +0000

The federal government announced Wednesday at 91��ɫ that it would contribute up to $15.5 million dollars through its Technology Development Program to the Connected Health and Wellness Project, of which 91��ɫ is a major partner.

The Connected Health and Wellness Project is a collaborative project led by a partnership of 91��ɫ, NexJ Systems and McMaster University. All together the project includes 16 Ontario private sector, academic and not-for-profit research partners. In addition to the federal funding, the project has leveraged more than $23 million in private-sector investments.

From left, 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; Dr. David Price, chair of the Department of Family Medicine��at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University; Harvey Skinner, dean of 91��ɫ's Faculty of Health; Gary Goodyear, minister of state for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario; William M. Tatham, CEO of��NexJ Systems Inc.; and Mark Adler,��MP for 91��ɫ Centre.��

This project will involve cloud-based software will allow patients to access and share their health records with their family, friends and care teams, including a health coach, to collaboratively manage their health and wellness. The new profession of health coaches will be trained at 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Health. This technology will also allow hospitals, physicians and other healthcare professionals to access and update this information on an ongoing basis.

For example, patients with diabetes will be able to track their biometric measurements, such as meals and exercise, using smartphones and share this information easily with their medical teams.

Gary Goodyear, minister of state for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario,��makes a funding annoucement at 91��ɫ

“91��ɫ is proud to partner with the government of Canada, industry, academic and healthcare providers to deliver a new people-centred, technology-enabled health and wellness model,” said 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri at the funding announcement at 91��ɫ’s Life Sciences Building. “91��ɫ's creation of a training program and professional standards for the new health coach profession is a first inCanadato combine multiple skill sets in health promotion, disease prevention and behaviour change that highlight91��ɫ's breadth and depth in health expertise.”

Announced by Gary Goodyear, minister of state for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Mark Adler,��MP for 91��ɫ Centre, the project is a technology platform containing an integrated suite of compatible technologies and apps designed to improve the health of Canadians.

“Our Government is committed to helping personalize health care for Canadians,” said Goodyear. “Our investment will bring integrated health and wellness solutions to market that will provide Canadians with new solutions to better manage their own health using innovative technology developed in our region.”

Harvey Skinner, dean of 91��ɫ's Faculty of Health at the announcement

Goodyear went on to say that we are at the forefront of the next generation in health care management, which will not only reduce costs of delivering health care to our citizens, but it will improve the health care that they receive and ultimately that is what’s it’s all about. He also said that the government’s investment will help 91��ɫ and its partners to undertake a collaborative project that may in fact revolutionize health-care delivery, not only in Canada, but ultimately around the world.

As the amount of people with chronic medical conditions grows, along with the need to manage these conditions, the need for this kind of project is clear.

"The combination of mobile technology, electronic health records and behaviour change supported by a health coach will help more people live healthier, longer, and receive timely access to effective health care when needed. This is the essence of people-centred health,” said Harvey Skinner, dean of��91��ɫ's Faculty of Health. "This partnership is an important step forward for transforming and sustaining health-care and wellness systems in Canada and globally.”

More than five billion people globally now have access to mobile technology and that presents a huge opportunity to reach out to people in poorer and remote communities, said Skinner.

The project will help create the conditions to make southern Ontario’s businesses and not-for-profit institutions global leaders in the development and delivery of integrated electronic health-care software. It is also positioning the region as a leader in advancing health coaching, which is intended to help Canada and other countries around the world find new ways to decrease health-care costs.

Mamdouh Shoukri talks with Gary Goodyear following the announcement at 91��ɫ

Other partners in the project include:

Academic: George Brown College, Seneca College and Centennial College

Industry: RIM; Rogers; Tyze Personal Networks; OSCAR Service Providers; PryLynx Corporation and Trivaris

Healthcare providers: Southlake Regional Health Centre; North 91��ɫ General Hospital; Centre for Global eHealth Innovation (University Health Network) and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Harvard Medical School

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Professor Caitlin Fisher speaks to Globe and Mail about how digital technology is changing the way writers tell stories

fmaquito — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The e-book is changing the publishing business, but will digital technology actually change the way we tell stories, the way writers write – for better or for worse? asked The Globe and Mail July 9.

Multimedia experiments often use short texts because readers seem unlikely to tolerate long passages of type in a video or interactive environment. "Maybe the chunk is not the chapter; maybe the chunk is the paragraph, and one paragraph can lead to more, different paragraphs," says Caitlin Fisher, Canada Research Chair in Digital Culture at 91��ɫ [Faculty of Fine Arts], who used that approach in her 2001 multimedia novella These Waves of Girls. "People have been figuring out how to get their message onto a single screen. It makes some writing better and some writing worse."

91��ɫ's Fisher agrees that the issue is how to draw the reader through the text. "It's interesting to say maybe people would navigate your novel like a game environment," she says. "People find a game environment compelling. [But] does it always have to be a puzzle or maze? Could great writing draw you through it?... We don't have serious writers experimenting with it."

Fisher also notes how seductive video is, hoping books will not simply be replaced by some version of interactive film or augmented reality. "We have this push that all literature can become movies. Everyone can cheaply make and edit moving pictures. It is pushing out interesting experiments in writing."

"I'd be happy to purchase an $80 electronic novel that promised to take me places I hadn't been before, but it's a hard sell," says Fisher, who wants to see writers making technology work for them rather than technology shaping the form. "It is crucial writers be there asking what kind of tools might be useful...and not just accept what computer science hands them."

Posted by Arielle Zomer, research communications officer,��with files��courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference begins Saturday

fmaquito — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Conference driven by 91��ɫ research in digital media, psychology, vision and computer science

The , a one-of-a-kind gathering of experts in stereoscopic 3D art and entertainment, takes place in Toronto June 11 to 14. Major figures from the USA, UK, Russia, Germany and Canada will convene at TIFF Bell Lightbox to address and analyze the latest developments in the field.

Speakers include renowned German director , Irish director and U2 stage designer , , co-founder of IMAX and leading international film historian .�� Minister , will deliver remarks.

The Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference is organized by the (3D FLIC) and researchers from 91��ɫ, including the . Bridging academia and industry, the event is designed to create dynamic synergies to funnel cutting-edge research into 3D production and best practices, to continue to improve the stereo 3D experience and respond to the growing audience appetite for 3D entertainment across all platforms.

Saturday, June 11
What: �� Official opening night of the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference

When: �� 5pm (Please arrive 1 hour early for sound feed)

Where:�� Cinema 2, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King Street West, Toronto

Remarks:

Juana Awad, 3D FLIC Project Director
, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Fine Arts, 91��ɫ
James Weyman, Manager of Industry Initiatives, Ontario Media Development Corporation
Awad introduces Ali Kazimi, Faculty of Fine Arts, 91��ɫ
Kazimi presents German filmmaker and keynote speaker Wim Wenders

5:30pm Keynote address by Wim Wenders, titled “On PINA”

Sunday, June 12
What: �� Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference, remarks by Honourable�� Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism & Culture.

When: �� 10am (Please arrive 1 hour early for sound feed)

Where:�� Cinema 2, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King Street West, Toronto

Remarks:

Juana Awad, 3D FLIC Project Director
Nell Tenhaaf, Professor of Visual Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, 91��ɫ
Honourable Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Tourism & Culture
Tenhaaf introduces Bill White, partner, 3D Camera Company

10:30am Mini Keynote Canada’s lead on the Stereoscopic 3D World Stage

Dr. Paul Salvini (CTO Side FX Software)
Dr. Kevin Tuer (MD Canadian Digital Media Network)

For more details, see and a previous .

Artistic Direction and Organization Juana Awad, 3D FLIC Project Director 91��ɫ; Professor Janine Marchessault, Canada Research Chair in Art, Digital Media and Globalization, 91��ɫ; and Sanja Obradovic, PHD Candidate Communication and Culture, Ryerson University/91��ɫ.

By Amy Stewart, publicist, Faculty of Fine Arts

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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YRDSB recognizes ABEL program director Janet Murphy for service to education

fmaquito — Mon, 30 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Teaching with technology is a good thing, and no one knows it better than Janet Murphy.

The (YRDSB) has awarded Murphy,��director of 91��ɫ’s (ABEL) on applied research program in the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, an Outstanding Service Award.

Under Murphy’s leadership, ABEL’s team has worked with teachers in��more over 100 YRDSB schools to help them better understand and integrate technology’s research impacts into their curriculum. Any teacher in 91��ɫ Region’s public district can become part of ABEL; the program is also active in the Toronto, Simcoe County and Upper Grand District School Boards.

Right: Janet Murphy

“We work with teachers from kindergarten to Grade 12 across disciplines to help them ��to best use technology to support their curriculum goals in the classroom,” said Murphy, who received her award on April 25 at the YRDSB’s annual Awards Evening.

This support includes extending the reach of university research and expertise into high school classrooms.��For example, , an interactive learning event led by the Faculty of Science��& Engineering in May, was made accessible to schools across 91��ɫ Region through the ABEL program. Through the effective use of video conferencing, collaborative technologies and streamed on-demand video, the ABEL platform distributed the event’s science content, making it available for classroom use.

ABEL also provides technical support and facilitation to support and enhance YRDSB teachers’ professional learning through a blended learning program. Leveraging interactive technologies, ABEL delivers professional learning to the classroom or school in a variety of online formats, including real-time and/or asynchronous transmission.

“The advantage to ABEL’s approach is that it allows teachers to engage in their individual learning at a time and place convenient to them, apply their learning and then re-visit the archived session as needed. This collaborative approach allows participants to gain feedback from the group about what worked and what didn’t, and continuously improve their practice,” says Murphy. “For example, 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Education recently ran a session on teaching mathematics that was streamed live and archived to ensure teachers wanting the latest numeracy pedagogy had flexible ways to access the material.”

Outstanding Service Awards reflect the YRDSB’s commitment to quality, service and teamwork. The recipients��– who may include individuals, teams or departments��– provide extraordinary service that has had a positive impact on the school board’s efforts to achieve its mission and goals.

Typically, those recognized have introduced positive change, significant and permanent improvements to the organization, and/or positively influenced individuals or teams around them to make great contributions.

“Janet received the Outstanding Service Award for her ongoing leadership, vision and commitment to mobilizing new knowledge for 21st-century system change,” said John Steh, manager of Leadership Development, YRDSB. “Her team’s approach has led to new organizational structures and system change, and is an excellent example of social innovation initiated by the District’s participation in the ABEL program.”

”Janet’s recognition reflects her strong leadership and the success of��the entire ABEL team. ABEL’s niche is staying ahead of the technology curve in making 91��ɫ’s research in ICT, pedagogy and digital media accessible to the education community from kindergarten through to Grade 12,” said Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation. “Through the partnership with ABEL, the YRDSB has continually demonstrated their commitment to seeking out best pedagogical practices while ensuring teachers have access to the latest professional development. For 91��ɫ, ABEL provides an institutional platform to move the latest research out to schools while helping to attract the best high school students to programs.”

About the ABEL Program at 91��ɫ

Launched with funding support from , Canada’s Advanced Research and Innovation Network, to a consortium led by Shapson, ABEL has nearly 10 years of experience helping teachers to make better use of technology. Through public and private sector partnerships and networks, ABEL has gained national recognition as a research-based authority and leader on the effective use of existing and emerging information communication technologies (ICT) within new models of teaching, learning, training and collaboration.

ABEL’s combination of networks, partnerships and research focus drive institutional transformation and create new opportunities:

Facilitates community outreach for researchers interested in working with public school boards.
Demonstrates the value of inter-institutional and jurisdictional collaboration by providing research and outreach platforms.
Leads the effective use of technology in teaching, training and learning environments.
Provides a platform for applied research, along with expertise into the effective use of interactive and collaborative technologies.

ABEL’s partners include the , the Ministry of Education’s , the (including��more than��10 school boards), , the , the , the , the and many others.

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer.

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91��ɫ's digital media, vision and computer science expertise driving inaugural 3D conference

fmaquito — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The first of its kind in Canada, the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference is organized by the 3D Film Innovation Consortium (3D FLIC), and researchers from 91��ɫ.

See the for start times, remarks and speakers.

Bridging academia and industry, the event is designed to create dynamic synergies to funnel cutting-edge research into 3D production and best practices, to continue to improve the stereo 3D experience and respond to the growing audience appetite for 3D entertainment across all platforms.

The conference will offer film and TV production companies, 3D practitioners and enthusiasts the opportunity for far-ranging discussions about contemporary challenges and possibilities in stereoscopic 3D. It will feature keynotes, panel discussions and presentations, with screenings and master classes rounding out the program.

Keynote presenters include renowned German director , who will discuss the creation of his 3D documentary , about the influential choreographer Pina Bausch; Irish director and stage designer Catherine Owen, who will share her experiences co-directing U23D, the first film shot in digital 3D; Graeme Ferguson, co-founder of IMAX and one of the filmmakers behinds some of its most successful films, and Thomas Elsaesser, renowned international film historian.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaB5Nc0XNOY&feature=player_embedded

The live-action nature drama Bugs, the science-fiction action blockbuster and , the IMAX exploration of the profound impact of the Hubble Space Telescope on the way we view the universe, will all be screened and��introduced by their producers.

Panels include Stereography and Cinematography, Producing and Directing Stereo 3D, Expanding the Tool Set: Post-production and visual effects, Shooting for Conversion, Stereoscopic Perception and Cinema, History of Experiments in 3D Film and Photography, and many more.

All panels, presentations, keynotes and screenings will be held at the 350-seat 3D-capable cinema at TIFF Bell Lightbox, giving all speakers the possibility to show footage during their presentations.

The Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference runs immediately prior to , June 15��to 19, allowing for synergies and exchanges between the two international events.

The conference is produced and presented by 3D FLIC and 91��ɫ.��Presenting partners: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Graphics Animation and New Media (GRAND) NCE, Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC). Supporting partners: City of Toronto, Canadian Digital Media Network, Goethe Institute Toronto, IMAX, Cinespace Film Studios, 3D Camera Company, Creative Post, Studio SysAdmin and Geneva Films. Additional support from: FilmOntario and Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO). Master classes co-presented by TIFF Bell Lightbox.

A full��conference pass is $180. Passes for students and seniors are��$60. A day pass is $75, with student and senior��day passes priced at $25.��Tickets for the Wim Wenders master class are $25 each, and $15 for��students and seniors. Tickets for other master classes are $15 each, with students and seniors tickets priced at $10 per class.

Information and conference registration forms can be found on the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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ABEL's 10th annual Summer Institute considers the next decade of learning in a wired world

fmaquito — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The future of the educational Internet will be the topic as the (ABEL) program hosts its (ASI) this year.

Registration is now open for Connected Community Learning: The Next Decade taking place Aug. 22 to 24 on 91��ɫ's Keele campus.

Over the past decade the Internet has affected society in many ways, including��democratizing access to information, creating opportunities for individual voices to be heard, sharing ideas and knowledge, allowing instantaneous responses to questions, creating social networks that expand knowing and doing, developing new regulations and policies for information access, copyright and use, digital citizenship – and the list continues. ASI 2011 asks what will the next 10 years bring?

Conference delegates��will investigate this question and the power of a connected community to effectively use technology for teaching and learning. This two-and-a-half-day professional learning event features speakers and information sessions.

Keynote speaker�� will open ASI 2011, delivering a speech titled “The Flat World has Swung Open: How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education”. Bonk is professor of Instructional Systems Technology at and president of .

Left: Curt Bonk

Bonk received the CyberStar Award from the Indiana Information Technology Association, the Most Outstanding Achievement Award from the US Distance Learning Association, and the Most Innovative Teaching in a Distance Education Program Award from the State of Indiana. A well-known authority on emerging technologies for learning, Bonk reflects on his speaking experiences around the world in his popular blog, .��He has coauthored several��technology books, including (2009), (2008), (2006) and Electronic Collaborators (1998).

On Aug. 23, Dean Shareski, a digital learning consultant for��the Prairie South School Division in Saskatchewan, will be the spotlight speaker. Shareski works with teachers and students in understanding the power of��"Read/Write Web" and is a strong advocate of design and storytelling and the power of sharing.

Right: Dean Shareski

Shareski has presented and led many workshops locally, nationally and internationally.�� He's been modeling much of this on his own blog () for more than six years.��The site is consistently ranked among the top 100 educational blogs. He also is an adjunct professor at the University of Regina, where he's developed innovative instructional practices for pre-service teachers.

To close ASI 2011 on Aug. 24, Norm Vaughan will discuss “Student Engagement and Web 2.0 in Blended Learning”. An educator and researcher with interests in blended learning, faculty development and��kindergarten to Grade 12 schooling, Vaughan is an��associate professor��in the Department of Education, Faculty of Teaching & Learning at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta.

Left:�� Norm Vaughan

Vaughan recently co-authored the book Blended Learning in Higher Education (2008) and has published a series of articles on blended learning and faculty development.��Vaughn is the co-founder of the Blended Online Design Network (BOLD), a member of the Community of Inquiry Research Group, the associate dditor of the International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning. He serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Excellence in e-Learning, Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, the Journal on Centres for Teaching & Learning, the Learning Communities Journal and the Journal of Information Fluency.

The ABEL Summer Institute is intended as both a guided and self-directed exploration of technologies as educational tools with learning engagement and knowledge building potential for all.

For more information on ASI 2011, including the agenda, click . Register early to avoid disappointment. To register online,��click .

ABEL is a unit within the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation. For more information about its event and programming,��visit the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91��ɫ becomes 17th member of MaRS Innovation

fmaquito — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ has become the latest member of , the commercialization agent for many leading Toronto-based universities, hospitals and research institutes.

“91��ɫ has become one of Canada’s fastest-growing centres for research and innovation,” said Stan Shapson (right), vice-president research & innovation at 91��ɫ. “We typically get 10 to 20 discovery disclosures a year. Joining MaRS Innovation allows us to deliver the most competitive commercialization services to the researchers making these discoveries. We’re confident that membership in MaRS Innovation will boost that number and accelerate the commercialization of 91��ɫ’s most promising research.”

Earlier this year, 91��ɫ launched its office. Based in 91��ɫ Region, Innovation 91��ɫ works with other partner organizations in the Markham Convergence Centre to build upon research partnerships between 91��ɫ researchers and life science and technology companies based in 91��ɫ Region and the Greater Toronto Area. It’s also making 91��ɫ’s research and infrastructure more accessible to industry, government agencies and community partners.

Joining MaRS Innovation will further extend 91��ɫ’s commercialization contacts. In less than two years, MaRS Innovation has assessed��more than��400 research disclosures from members such as the University of Toronto and its 10 affiliated teaching hospitals, as well as Ryerson University.

MaRS Innovation has begun to line up investment funding to take the discoveries with the greatest commercial potential to market, creating companies and jobs, and starting industries. In 2011 alone, MaRS Innovation has spurred the creation of five new enterprises based on the groundbreaking discoveries of its members.

“We’re thrilled that 91��ɫ has decided to become one of our members." said��Rafi Hofstein, president��& CEO of MaRS Innovation. "91��ɫ’s national and international reputation for groundbreaking discoveries is growing quickly, and many of their research initiatives are highly complementary to the technologies that we’ve been helping to commercialize over the past two years.”

To become a member of MaRS Innovation, an academic and research organization must have intellectual property in life sciences (drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostic imaging, etc.), information and communications technologies (ICT), cleantech and digital media.

MaRS Innovation is supported by the Government of Canada through the (NCE) to focus on turning inventions into real commercial opportunities. Both the Province of Ontario’s (MRI) and Ottawa have provided essential financial support for Proof of Principle programs��– NCE, through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, funded the turning of inventions into real commercial opportunities; and MRI, through Ontario Centres of Excellence, has been supporting MaRS Innovation’s Proof of Principle (PoP) program.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of MaRS Innovation Public Relations department and Media Relations at 91��ɫ University.

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