Keynote Speakers
Marc Prensky
Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, futurist, visionary and inventor in the critical areas of education and learning. Marc is the founder of Games2train, an e-learning company whose clients include IBM, Bank of America, Nokia, the US Department of Defense and the Los Angeles and Florida Virtual Schools. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Digital Game-Based Learning (McGraw-Hill, 2001) and “Don’t Bother Me Mom – I’m Learning” (Paragon House 2005.)
Marc’s professional focus has been on reinventing the learning process, combining the motivation of video games and other highly engaging activities with the driest content of education and business. He is considered one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between games and learning. His innovative combination of educational tools and game technology – including the world's first fast-action videogame-based corporate training tool – is being accepted throughout schools, government and corporate America.
Strategy+Business magazine called Marc “That rare visionary who implements.” Marc has designed and built over 100 software games in his career, including world-wide, multi-user games and simulations that run on all platforms from the internet to handhelds to cell phones. Marc has created the most advanced and engaging technology for education, business training and e-Learning.
Marc’s presentations inspire audiences by opening up their minds to new ideas and approaches to technology and education. Marc’s products and ideas are innovative, provocative, challenging, and clearly show the way of the future. The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time, Fortune and The Economist all have recognized Marc’s work. He has appeared on MSNBC, CNN/fn, FOX News, PBS, and the BBC In 2000 Marc was named as one of training’s top "New Breed of Visionaries” by Training. Marc also writes a column for Educational Technology magazine, and for Greentree Gazette, a publication for leaders in academia.
Marc’s background includes masters degrees from Yale, Middlebury, and The Harvard Business School (with distinction). He is a concert musician and has acted on Broadway. He has taught at all levels from elementary to college. He worked in Human Resources and in Technology at Bankers Trust Company, and spent six years as a corporate strategist and product development director with the Boston Consulting Group.
Marc is a native of New York City, where he lives with his wife Rie Takemura, a Japanese writer, and their 3 ½ year-old son Sky.