Stephen Downes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Downes
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Downes in 2009
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| Born | April 6, 1959 |
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Stephen Downes (born April 6, 1959) is a Canadian expert in online learning and new media. He has been exploring and promoting how computers and the internet can be used for education since 1995. He is well-known for his work in creating new ways to learn online.
Contents
Who is Stephen Downes?
Stephen Downes was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has lived and worked in many different places across Canada. In November 2001, he joined the National Research Council of Canada. This is a big research organization in Canada. Today, he works as a researcher at the NRC's Digital Technologies Research Centre in Ottawa.
A Pioneer in Online Learning
Stephen Downes is a very important person in the world of online education. He has spent many years studying and sharing ideas about how people can learn using computers and the internet. His work has helped shape how we think about learning online today. He believes that learning should be open and available to everyone.
The First MOOC
In 2008, Stephen Downes worked with George Siemens to create something special. They designed and taught an online course that was open to many people. This course is often seen as the very first massive open online course (MOOC). MOOCs are online courses that anyone can join, often for free. They allow thousands of students to learn together from anywhere in the world. This was a big step forward for online education.
Awards and Recognition
Stephen Downes has received awards for his work. In 2005, he won the Edublog Award for Best Individual Blog. His blog, called OLDaily, shares his thoughts and news about online learning. He is also an editor for the International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning. This shows how respected he is in his field.
Running for Mayor
In 1995, Stephen Downes decided to run for Mayor of Brandon. At that time, he was working at the Assiniboine Community College. He wanted to make changes in the city. Even though he did not win, it showed his interest in public service.
See also
In Spanish: Stephen Downes para niños
