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The 6th Imagination & Education conference
The 6th. Conference on Imagination and Education was held in Canberra, Australia from Jan. 29th. To Jan. 31st. 2008. Participants came from more than a dozen countries. It was a lively and excellent event. Sean Blenkinsop, Tannis Calder, Kieran Egan, Mark Fettes, Kathryn Ricketts, Kym Stewart, and Jean Warburton came from the IERG at SFU. The Dean of Education at SFU, Dr. Paul Shaker also attended, and graciously introduced Kieran Egan’s talk.
The conference theme was "Imaginative practice, imaginative inquiry" and it aimed to connect a cross-section of educators and administrators from elementary & high schools, universities, professional organizations and work-place settings in a dialogue and exploration of imaginative and creative ways of teaching, learning and conducting educational inquiry.
Miranda Armstrong, long a user of IERG ideas in Australia, gave one of the most generally appreciated talks. Sean Blenkinsop, Tannis Calder, Mark Fettes, and Kym Stewart each gave well-attended and appreciated talks. Kathryn Ricketts led a significant group in a dance workshop. Noel Gogh and Bernie Neville, from LaTrobe University, were also prominent speakers.
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The organizers of the conference were IERG’s long-time and valued associate Thomas Neilson and Robert Fitzgerald, both seen here at the conclusion of the conference shaking hands. |
After the conference a group gathered at the University of Canberra to discuss future steps for IERG-Australia and began the tasks involved in seeking grants and setting the new group on its feet. We made contact with a new group of associates (below).
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The last day of the conference was also Thomas’s birthday, and here Kym Stewart is giving him an appreciative present. |