2005 - Going the (Virtual) Distance: Does “Better” Learning Come From “Better” Technology? This keynote presentation will focus on some of the fundamental issues associated with technological investments in “virtual” education and training. The purpose of the talk will be to challenge educational institutions to see where technology can—and should— productively change the task of “learning” versus productively transforming the act of “teaching.” The essential argument is that technical improvements may undermine educational aspirations. Michael Schrage is co-director of the MIT Media Lab's E-Markets Initiative and Senior Adviser to MIT’s Security Studies Program.He advises organizations on the economics of innovation through rapid experimentation,simulation, and digital design. At the MIT Media Lab, his research and advisory work explores the role of models, prototypes, and simulations as collaborative media for managing innovation and risk. His ongoing work on strategic and “just-in-time” experimentation is at the core of several corporate transformation efforts. Mr. Schrage is the author of the groundbreaking book, Serious Play: How the World’s Best Companies Simulate to Innovate,which describes the kind of environment that cultivates innovation and discusses how the most successful innovation companies use simulations, rototypes, and models to permanently change the way we do business.In addition, he authored the critically acclaimed book, Shared Minds: The New Technologies of Collaboration(Random House 1990), and is a frequent columnist for Fortune, CIO,and Sales& Marketing Management. (Javascript is required to view Mediasite content)