Insights gained from a series of non-traditional research approaches is what led Frey and the rest of his team to the “eureka moments” pinpointing key inflection points destined to dramatically change the field of education. These will be revealed at his presentation on Tuesday…
Over 18 months ago, the DaVinci Institute embarked on a relentless mission to uncover the future of education. Breaking the mold of traditional research, the Institute employed unusual study techniques involving several thousand man-hours of research, expert interviews, focus groups, research teams, “brain tumor sessions”, and lonely walks on the midnight sidewalks thinking about this topic.
“I kept putting myself into the shoes of a student and asking myself the question – What is the most important thing I should learn today?” said Thomas Frey, Senior Futurist and Executive Director of the DaVinci Institute. “And invariably, the material I saw being taught never matched with what I saw myself wanting to learn.”
Insights gained from non-traditional research is what led Frey and the rest of his team to the “eureka moments” pinpointing key inflection points destined to dramatically change the field of education.
“We have identified 12 critical dimensions of the future learning system. However, only the first two need to be in place for the revolution to begin,” says Frey.
The conclusions have been expanded into a 20-page report that will be presented in detail at the March 27th Movers & Shakers event in Denver, Colorado at Phipps Mansion starting at 8:00 am.
The presentation will focus on cultural trend and system drivers, analyze the work of cutting edge players, and project all of these moving parts onto the backdrop of technology that is heavily influencing nearly every aspect of society. The final report will conclude with several surprises, focusing on the key inflection points for change including a series of specific predictions and recommendations.
EVENT: Movers and Shakers Breakfast Series
DATE: March 27, 2007 – Tuesday
TIMES: 8:00 – 9:30 am
LOCATION: Phipps Mansion – Tennis Pavilion – 3400 Belcaro Drive, Denver, Colorado 80209
DIRECTIONS: Click here for map BREAKFAST: Will be served starting at 8:00 am
TOPIC: Future of Education
SPEAKERS: Thomas Frey, Executive Director of the DaVinci Institute
EXPERT PANEL: Dr. James Davis, Dean of University College at the University of Denver; Ellen Miller-Brown, Director of K-8 and Middle School Leadership in the Boulder Valley School District; Michael Cushman, Senior Fellow at the DaVinci Institute
COST: $49 – ($10 discount for DaVinci Institute Members) –
Register here. NOTE: We will be limited to a seating capacity of 100 people. Because this will fill up quickly, everyone must be registered to attend.
Thomas Frey is the Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci Institute and currently Google’s top rated futurist speaker. At the Institute he has developed original research studies, enabling him to speak on unusual topics, translating trends into unique opportunities.
Tom continually pushes the envelope of understanding, creating fascinating images of the world to come. His talks on futurist topics have captivated people ranging from high level of government officials to executives in Fortune 100 companies including NASA, IBM, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Lucent Technologies, First Data, Boeing, Ford Motor Company, Qwest, Allied Signal, Hunter Douglas, Direct TV, Capital One, National Association of Federal Credit Unions, Bell Canada, American Chemical Society, and many more.
Because of his work inspiring inventors and other revolutionary thinkers, the Boulder Daily Camera has referred to him as the "Father of Invention". The Denver Post and Seattle Post Intelligencer have referred to him as the "Dean of Futurists".
Before launching the DaVinci Institute, Tom spent 15 years at IBM as an engineer and designer where he received over 270 awards, more than any other IBM engineer.
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James R. Davis is Dean of University College, the continuing education unit of the University of Denver, a private, doctoral-intensive university in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. He was formerly a Professor of Higher Education and Adult Studies in the College of Education, the Director of the Center for Academic Quality and Special Assistant to the Provost, Director of the Center for Faculty Development, Director of the School of Education, Acting Associate Dean for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs — all at the University of Denver. Previously he served as Academic Dean at Wilberforce University (Ohio), an historically black college.
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Ellen Miller-Brown is the Director of K-8 and Middle School Leadership in the Boulder Valley School District. She was formerly a teacher and school-based administrator in Puerto Rico, Tucson, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has spent her career working to close the achievement gap while maximizing achievement and well-being for all students.
Michael Cushman is a Senior Fellow at the DaVinci Institute and has extensive experience and expertise in creating the future. Michael is a hands-on change leader with proven success in leading cultural change, operational excellence, creating award-winning products, and introducing profitable technology and process improvements at over 50 companies. Recently, Michael helped Knowledge Factor win its patent and bring to market its innovative Confidence-Based Leaning technology. Besides working on projects and writing for DaVinci, Michael blogs at engagingchange.com and speaks on the topics of business culture and the mindsets of change leaders.
Movers & Shakers Breakfast Series
Movers & Shakers is not for everyone. Traditional assumptions will be challenged, problems will be solved at the same time that new problems are created, and ideas, big and small, brilliant and eccentric, will become the currency of trade. And through this process we are dedicated to cultivating the potential of those who attend and increasing their competitiveness both here and throughout the world.

The University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business has teamed up with the DaVinci Institute to produce an event designed to put you in touch with the latest thinking in the business world. The Movers & Shakers Breakfast Series will combine visionary speakers and timely topics in an engaging interactive format to introduce you to the ideas and people that will help create your future.