News and Events

2010

• Iris Versari Vocational school Wins an Italian National Award for "a school of innovation" with the Net4Voice project. Eight hundred and twenty three  Italian schools participated in this  national competition, sponsored by the Italian Department for the digitization of public administration and technological innovation in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, University and Research. May 20, 2010
• Dr. Mike Wald from the University of Southampton, wins a National Teaching Fellowship from The UK Higher Education Academy. Dr. Wald has been recognized for his work in improving learning for students through his excellence in teaching and his innovative creation, development and use of technology.
• Christine Tworo, Yvan Roy, and Robert Pelletier of Cambrian College win the Learning and Teaching award from the League for Innovation in the Community College.  The Cambrian team has been piloting the use of Dragon NaturallySpeaking to caption college class lectures.  Spring, 2010.
• 12th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs Mike Wald, University of Southampton is providing presentations about captioning multiple speakers using SR and Synote: Accessible and Assistive Technology Enhancing Learning for all Students
  July 14-16, 2010, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
• Universal Liberated Learning-Youth Initiative - the project team will be holding its Year II meeting in Ottawa June 9-11, 2010.

• Virginia Perelson, UMASS Boston, is representing the Consortium at the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) 2010 Joint Annual Meeting (JAM10) Hilton Washington Hotel, Washington, DC, June 6-9, 2010.  
  

• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association National Conference Sudbury 2010. June 3-5, 2010 Sudbury, Ontario. Participation is open to all persons interested in hearing loss or working in the field of hearing loss or hearing health related disorders.

• Luca Garlaschelli, CIO of the University of Bologna, will be making a presentation on the University of Bologna's Portal System at the WCIT2010 conference.  May 25, 2010, 14:00 hrs, Amsterdam.
• Liberated Learning Presentation to the College Committee on Disability Issues (CCDI). Eunice Lund-Lucas and Susan Alcorn-MacKay will be presenting the Youth Initiative to CCDI members at their annual general meeting taking place May 18, 2010.
• Net4Voice Final Conference “Speech recognition supporting learning: The future” The main aim of the conference was to present the Net4Voice project results and to open a discussion on the existing solutions for adopting Speech Recognition Technology in learning, and the future opportunities for improving the technology and large scale adoption in education.
  May 13, 2010 Auditorium, via Azzo Gardino 65/a, Univerista di Bologna, Italy.
• The Neil Squire Society will be running a booth at the Northern Voices conference to showcase Hosted Transcription Service (HTS) to educational professionals. May 7-8, 2010 Vancouver British Columbia.
• Liberated Learning Presentation at Purdue University:  You are invited to attend a presentation by Keith Bain to learn about Liberated Learning and speech recognition technology. Topics include research into the impact of SR on students with/without disabilities as well as faculty users, technology challenges, and demonstrations of SR systems and supporting applications.
  Tuesday, January 26 2010; 3:00 pm; Purdue University, Morgan Building, Discovery Park.
• Liberated Learning: Youth Initiative (abstract).  You are invited to attend a presentation by Keith Bain to learn about Liberated Learning, speech recognition, and how your institution can participate in a project funded by the Government of Canada.
  January 22, 2010; 10:30 am – 12:00 pm; Mount Allison University.
  
  For more information, contact
       Eileen M. Herteis
       Director, Purdy Crawford Teaching Centre Chair,
       AAU Coordinating Committee on Faculty Development
       Mount Allison University Bennett Building, 10
       Salem Street Sackville, NB E4L 1B7
       Phone: (506)364-2652 eherteis@mta.ca  http://www.mta.ca/pctc

• IBM Speech Recognition in Education Symposium:  Monday, November 9, 2009.  Video now available:
  

  Part 1 Get _fcksavedurl=""http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get" the Flash Player to see this player. Part 1:  Transcribed VersionMore Symposium Videos

• IBM Speech Recognition in Education Symposium   Monday, November 9, 2009  (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Route 134, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA, Auditorium

IBM Research and members of the Liberated Learning Consortium cordially invite you to attend a symposium on how speech    recognition technologies are being applied to improve teaching and learning. Symposium topics include:

Speech Recognition based captioning / transcription in classrooms 
"Wissenheim" project  - SR in interactive 3D worlds  
Net4Voice - innovative learning methods in the EU
Hosted / Distributed Transcription Systems
Synchronized Annotations and social learning

Presenters:
Sara Basson, Speech Transcription Strategy, IBM Research
Alex Faisman, Real Time Translation Systems, IBM Research
Mike Wald, Learning Technologies Group, University of Southampton
Keith Bain, Liberated Learning Consortium, Saint Mary's University
Peter Schulthess, Institut für Verteilte Systeme, Universität Ulm
James Hamilton, Learning & Teaching Centre, Macquarie University
Fedrica Gorni, Direzione e Sviluppo Attività Web Universita di Bologna

Registration is free
Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sara H. Basson, Ph.D.
Program Director - Speech Transcription Strategy, IBM Research
tel: (914) 945-1270    t/l 862-1270    fax: (914) 945-4490  sbasson@us.ibm.com

• Liberated Learning Consortium Annual General Meeting. November 9-12, 2009, IBM TJ Watson Research Center, NY, USA For information, contact liberated.learning@smu.ca
• Italian Newspaper "Il Resto del Carlino - Cesena" publishes article about the Net4Voice project.  October 10, 2009. View the article (.pdf).
• Dawn Jutla, Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary's University selected as the winner of the IT Software Award at the 2009 World Technology Summit July 16 2009
• Synote wins EUNIS Dorup E-learning Award 2009 June 29 2009
• IBM receives IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition Award for its long-term commitment to speech recognition, accepted by David Nahamoo, IBM Human Language Technologies. June 25 2009.
• Synote nominated for E-Learning Award - International Conference EUNIS 2009 “IT: Key of the European Space for Knowledge" hosted by the University of Santiago de Compostela, June 23-26 2009
• Liberated Learning partner Neil Squire Society receives federal funding July 12 2009
• Frances West, Director IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center and Dimitri Kanevsky, IBM Research, are presenting at the IEEE Accessing the Future Conference, Northeastern University, Boston, MA USA  20 - 21 July 2009.
• Liberated Learning nominated for a World Technology Network Award - Education. The World Technology Summit & Awards 2009 July 15-16, 2009 TIME Conference Center, Time & Life Building, New York City. Convened by the World Technology Network in association with TIME magazine, NASDAQ, Fortune magazine, Science magazine/AAAS, NY Academy of Sciences, and others.

• Net4Voice presentation at "Didamatica Informatica per la didattica" AICA (Italian Association for Informatics and Authomatica Calcolation)  April 22, 2009, Trento (Italy)  Net4Voice - Il riconoscimento vocale come ausilio alla didattica

  Liberated Learning featured in Speakup Librarian. "Making Online Education Accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - part 3." Weblog. speak up librarian. 14 January 2009. Blogspot. 16 January 2009 <http://speakuplibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/01/making-online-education-accessible-to_14.html>

• Column by IBM's Sara Basson featured in November 2008 edition of Speech Technology Magazine.  Read the full article on www.speechtechmag.com.  1 November 2008.
• Annual General Meeting, Liberated Learning Consortium. October 23-25, Universita di Bologna, Bologna Italy. For information, contact liberated.learning@smu.ca
• Work Place Accommodations for the Disabled Susan Alcorn MacKay, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Canada will be presenting at HEAD (Health, Elderly, Addicts and Disability), an international seminar concentrating on issues of welfare in greying societies. November 18–20.2008 Congress Centre Fellmanni, Lahti, Finland

• An interview with Dr. Mike Wald, University of Southampton

• Using Speech Recognition Captioning to Enhance Multimedia Learning. Mike Wald from the University of Southampton, UK is presenting at the 7th International Conference and Exhibition on Languages and the Media, October 29-31, Berlin Germany

• How to Wreck a Nice Beach ... Fast: Edited vs Verbatim Respeaking. Pablo Romero Fresco, Roehampton University, UK and Transmedia Research Group, is presenting at the 7th International Conference and Exhibition on Languages and the Media, October 29-31, Berlin Germany

• The Government of Canada Funds Speech Recognition Technologies: Parliamentary Secretary Lynne Yelich announced today that Saint Mary's University is to receive government funding to expand the use of speech recognition technologies. Monday, July 28, 2008.

• Trent University Receives Federal Grant: A $30,000 Federal grant has been awarded to Disability Services Office within Trent University for a research project dedicated to perfecting speech recognition technologies. July 21, 2008.

• Government of Canada announcement:  Monday, July 28, 2008, 9:00 am, Unilever Lounge, 4th Floor, Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary's University.  Parliamentary Secretary, Lynne Yelich, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, will make a special announcement of funding to expand the use of speech recognition technologies.

• The University of Bologna will participate in WORLDCOMP 2008. They will be presenting a paper on Net4Voice at "The 2008 World Congress in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Applied Computing". July 14-17 2008.

• Net4Voice project presentation on the Wissenheim website. The University of Ulm presents the Net4Voice project and exciting developments in the virtual world project "Wissenheim".

• Summit to Advance Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing individuals in STEM (DHH Cyber-Community). The Rochester Institute of Technology are proud to announce this summit, bringing together 50 leaders in the field of support service provision for postsecondary deaf students. Sara Basson, Alex Faisman, and Keith Bain are proud to participate as representatives of the Consortium. June 25 -27, 2008.

• Presentation at Congress 2008: A Global Community of Communications. July 2-6, 2008, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center, Vancouver, Canada. "Speech Recognition Technology and Global Information Accessibility", Keith Bain, Liberated Learning Consortium. The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is proud to join with the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People to host this eighth international congress.

• IBM Honors Elite Technical Employees: Dr. David Nahamoo has been awarded the title of IBM Fellow -- IBM's most prestigious technical honor -- for his contributions to IBM's leadership in speech recognition. Read the full Article at 7thSpace. May 20, 2008

• Demonstration of Liberated Learning technology to a delegation from Landmark College visiting Saint Mary's University. May 14, 2008

• Presentation at McGraw-Hill Ryerson Teaching, Learning & Technology Conference, Simon Fraser University May 14-15, 2008. "Engaging Every Learner in Online and Blended Environments". Chad Leaman, Neil Squire Society, will demonstrate real-time closed-captioning of Wimba Classroom using Liberated Learning speech recognition technology

• Information Session for the Ministry of Education, Republic of Latvia: Delegates from the Department of European Affairs and International Relations of the Ministry of Education and the Embassy of Latvia meet with the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia on Tuesday, May 6 at 1:00 pm to discuss the use of new educational technologies, including Liberated Learning

• Liberated Learning partner's use of Speech Recognition technology featured in Wimba Case Study: "Disabled Students Across Canada Excel via The Neil Squire Society and Wimba Classroom's Accessibility" April 2, 2008
• Net4Voice: le nuove tecnologie per vincere le barriere dell'apprendimento 23 febbraio 2008
• Net4Voice Kick off meeting. February 28-29th 2008. Direzione e Sviluppo delle Attivita Web Sala Romei - Via Zamboni 26. Universita di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
• Liberated Learning featured in Landmark East Newsletter.  See "Liberated Learning Research Study" in the Spring 2008 edition of The Acorn, page 9.  Landmark East School, an International School for Students with Disabilities in Nova Scotia, Canada, has been piloting Liberated Learning technology in cooperation with the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia (LDANS). 
• Presentation at First Annual Wimba Users' Conference:  Wimba Connect.  Wyndham Orlando Hotel, Orlando, Florida, March 2-5, 2008. "Closed Captioning through Voice Recognition":  Chad Leaman explains how the Neil Squire Society, through a pilot project with Liberated Learning, is using ViaScribe to send Closed Captions into Wimba online courses.  Tuesday, 4 March 2008, 2:10-3:00 PM
• IBM tops in U.S. patents for 15th year.   LoHud.com: New York's Lower Hudson Valley.   14 January 2008.  Featuring long-time proponent of Liberated Learning and IBM Master Inventor, Dimitri Kanevsky.
• Forum at Saint Mary's University:   Speech Recognition Technology:  Possibilities and Pragmatics for Students with Disabilities in the Secondary School System.  Presentation of research outcomes from a study into the use of speech recognition technology in Nova Scotia high school classrooms.  (This research was made possible through the generosity of the GIFT Atlantic Foundation.)  Date: Friday, January 18, 2008; 9:30am - 1:30pm.

2007

• Searching Video Lectures:  A tool from MIT finds keywords so that students can efficiently review lectures. Technology Review (MIT), November 26, 2007
• Presentation at The Association de l'industrie de la langue/Language Industry Association (AILIA), Third Annual Canadian Language Industry Showcase, Hilton Lac Leamy Hotel, Gatineau, Quebec, Friday, November 30, 2007. Dr. Sara Basson from IBM Research is a featured speaker on technology and business opportunities in speech technologies
  
• Liberated Learning Consortium featured in Futurelab's Digital Inclusion Project Showcase.  Visit http://www.futurelab.org.uk/themes/digital_inclusion/project_showcase
• Public presentation at the University of Alberta:  "Improving Accessibility using Speech Recognition Technology".  Thursday, October 25, 2007, 12:00 pm 1:00 pm, Education South, Room B-19. Visit http://www.events.ualberta.ca/details.cfm?ID_event=13148
• Break free from those barriers: Universal Liberated Learning enters new chapter.   Saint Mary's University News Releases, 17 October 2007.   "...Saint Mary's University (SMU) will partner with Trent University, IBM Research, the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC), the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA), and the Neil Squire Society in order to carry out research on how emerging technologies can increase information accessibility." Visit http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2007/10-17-17-2007.html
• Realising the full potential of e-learning at all levels of education:  Teleconference of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education.   PACE (Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe), 1 October 2007.  "Liberated Learning participates in the EU Council of Europe's Committee on Culture, Science, and Education teleconference, "Realising the full potential of e-learning at all levels of education."   View Liberated Learning's contribution, How Speech Recognition Technology Can Enable the Full Potential of e-learning.  
• ViaScribe Lecture Delivery System Includes Automatic Captioning.   Hearing Loss Web, 17 September 2007.   Charles Darwin University joins Liberated Learning Consortium, pilots IBM ViaScribe.  Visit http://www.hearinglossweb.com/tech/sr/via.htm
• 16th National Conference on Learning Disabilities, Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, September 27-29, 2007, St. John's, Newfoundland. Liberated Learning will be sending a delegate to "Reach Out...Join In...Learn On". Visit http://www.nald.ca/ldanl/ld_workshops_national.asp
• Interspeech 2007, August 27-31, 2007 Antwerp, Belgium. Sara Basson from IBM Research will chair a session on Speech Technology and Accessibility. Visit http://www.interspeech2007.org/index.php
• SpeechTEK 2007, August 20-23, 2007, New York, NY. Sara Basson, IBM presents at this conference which features the latest speech recognition developments and showcases organizations that integrate speech technology in their business operations to meet the needs of clients. Visit http://www.speechtek.com/

• HCI 2007 - 12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, July 22-27, 2007, Beijing, China. Liberated Learning's Keith Bain, Jason Hines, Pawan Lingras (Saint Mary's University), Yumei Qin (IBM China) and Dr. Mike Wald (University of Southampton) will present papers on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Visit http://www.hcii2007.org/home.html and http://www.hcii2007.org/viewSession.php?id=935&date=2&time=0
  For paper submissions please visit the Resource Centre.

• Accessibility Through Speech Recognition Public Lecture, July 10, 2007, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., University of Massachusetts at Boston Healey Library, LL Presentation Room 2. Presenter: Keith Bain of the Liberated Learning Consortium. RSVP by July 6 to rita.labad@umb.edu  617.287.7430 Sponsored by the Ross Center for Disability Services & The Committee for Equity and Excellence in Higher Education, The Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston

• セント・メアリーズ大学 = SMU, IBM Japan supporting people with hearing disabilities using speech recognition technology.
• "Multimedia Analysis: recording lessons", featuring Liberated Learning, British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) TechNews, pg 10, June 2007.
  
• Liberated Learning Consortium Annual Meeting at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 4-5, 2007. Global consortium partners meet to discuss applications in speech recognition technology and improved access to information for all stakeholders.
• "Dimitri Kanevsky: Master of invention", IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center Press Release, May, 2007.
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association 2007 National Conference, May 24-27, 2007, Edmonton, Alberta. Liberated Learning’s Keith Bain delivered a workshop titled: “Making Multimedia Accessible”. Visit http://www.chha.ca/conference/2007/
• Whole Student Conference2007 - Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities: From Technology to Personal Growth and Development at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 26, 2007. Keith Bain presented at this professional development conference sharing insights and information on issues that affect post secondary students with disabilities. Visit http://www.smu.ca/administration/atlcentre/event/welcome.html

2006

• Pathways8 National Conference, November 28-December 1, 2006, Hobart, Tasmania. Liberated Learning was represented by presenter Trevor Allan, ANU and attendee Di Paez, USC.
• Trevor Allan Receives Vice-Chancellor's Award for Career Achievement, The Australian National University, November, 2006.
• "Promoting Innovative Science and Technology and Establishing an Accessible Information Environment", IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center Press Release, November 2, 2006.
• 3rd China Accessibility Forum, November 2-3, 2006, Beijing, China. Sponsored by Ministry of Information Industry, China Disabled Persons’ Federation, Internet Society of China, and China Welfare Fund for the Handicapped. Liberated Learning International Manager, Keith Bain spoke about how accessible and innovative technology can enhance education and training for persons with disabilities.  Contact us for the complete ViaScribed presentation.
• "Breaking Down Barriers", featuring Trent University, Toronto Star, October 28, 2006.
• Disability & Information Technologies Research Alliance (Dis-IT), October 26-27, 2006, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Hard-wiring Inclusion - A Conference about Building an Accessible ICT World. Curtis Pinerio, Adaptive Technologist from Trent University, Ontario attended. Read his review. Visit http://www.dis-it.ca/
  
  
• "October 2006 Liberated Learning ejournal", October, 2006. [PDF]
• Saint Mary's Student Wins Award APICS Undergraduate Science Communication Award, October 13, 2006.
• "IBM tunes in to technology initiatives for deaf and hard of hearing people", IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center website, October 16, 2006.
• Park View Education Centre, October 17, 2006, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. As part of the GIFT Atlantic High School project, the LL team presented to PVEC Staff and School Advisory Council about participating in Liberated Learning testing.
• "SMU, IBM and RBC Set to Introduce Liberated Learning Technology to the Canadian Club", Saint Mary’s University News Release, September 22, 2006.
  • Webcast featuring ViaScribe: http://www.vvc.ca/webcast/canadianclub/09252006/
• "Liberating the Learning Environment – Automating Multimodal Content", Campus Technology, September 6, 2006.
• “It's Time to Liberate the Universe”, Saint Mary’s University News Release, August 29, 2006.
• "August 2006 Liberated Learning ejournal", August, 2006. [PDF]
  
• Seventh World Congress on the Management of e-Business at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 13-15, 2006. Liberated Learning team members, Sara Basson, Keith Bain and Pawan Lingras participated. For more information visit http://eworldcongress.smu.ca/.
  
• Speech Technologies - Accessibility Inroads at IBM Hursley Research Park, Winchester, UK, June 30, 2006. A special symposium on accessibility and speech recognition technology, presented by the Liberated Learning Consortium and hosted by Consortium partners, IBM U.K. and the University of Southampton. Proceedings are now available.
  
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association 2006 National Conference at Charlottetown, P.E.I, June 1-3, 2006. Liberated Learning International Manager, Keith Bain presented. Liberated Learning also participated in the exhibits for the delegates and general public.
• USC Academic Receives Liberated Learning Achievement Award, University of the Sunshine Coast, June, 2006
• Service Canada/Human Resources and Social Development Canada and Persons with Disabilities Collaborative Partnership Committees Annual Conference, May 9-11, 2006. Liberated Learning International Manager, Keith Bain presented at this forum for employers/businesses, service providers and other government departments working to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia.
  
  
• “Liberated Learning Through Voice Recognition Technology” in “Weekly Feature” Trent University, ON, March 29, 2006.

2005

• IBM researcher named to board of Alexander Graham Bell Institute.  IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center Newsroom, December 29, 2005.
• Stephen H. Wildstom, “Technology and You: Boomer-Friendly Gadgets”, Business Week Online, November 17, 2005.  Audio podcast (requires QuickTime 7 or iTunes).
• “Liberated Learning: A University/Corporate Partnership with Global Reach”, case study by the Case Study National Center for Technology Innovation, April 6, 2005.
• Cambrian Administrator Susan Alcorn MacKay, Recipient of International Exemplary Leadership Award, Cambrian College Online News, March 2005.

2004

• IBM Innovation Carries Words to Deaf People in Classes and Museums.  IBM CANADA LTD., November 18, 2004.
• Dr. Sara Basson, IBM, receives honorary degree from Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 2004:
  
  •  View video of Address
  • View text version of Address
    
• “Messiah College in Select Group Using New Assistive Technology”, The Messiah College Bridge, Spring, 2004. [PDF]
• Making Education Accessible to All Students: Saint Mary's University Receives Major Gift from RBC Financial Group, Saint Mary’s University News Release, February 10, 2004.

Top of Page

2003

• “Coca-Cola Foundation Provides Major Support to Saint Mary’s Liberated Learning Initiative”, September 2003. [PDF].
• “Liberated Learning: A Global Initiative”, April 2003.

2002

• “Liberated Learning”, Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology Online News, Sudbury, Ontario, Fall 2002 [PDF].

2001

• The Liberated Learning Project Baddeck Symposium, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, July 2001.
• Dr. David Leitch, Saint Mary’s University and Ron MacNeil, Alexander Graham Bell Institute at the University College of Cape Breton, “Liberated Learning and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum”, interview transcript from CBC Radio, NewsWatch , June 2001.
• The University College of Cape Breton and the Alexander Graham Bell Institute Join the Liberated Learning Project, March, 2001.

2000

• New Professors Join Liberated Learning at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 2000.
• Ryerson Polytechnic University Liberated Learning Team Members Visit Saint Mary’s, November 2000.
• “New technologies offer greater opportunities for disabled students”, Globe and Mail, October 16, 2000.
• The Liberated Learning Project is Live at Saint Mary’s University, October, 2000.
• The Liberated Learning Project Welcomes a New Partner: the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia , March 30, 2000.
• Liberated Learning at California State University Northridge (CSUN) Center On Disabilities, “Technology And Persons With Disabilities” Conference, March 2000. [Powerpoint]

Top of Page