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10 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday November 26, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Zen is a master new media educator Sheridan professor wins prestigious new media award Sheridan professor Dan Zen was awarded the Educator of the Year at the 2008 Canadian New Media Awards (CNMA) last week in Toronto. Zen has introduced pioneering curriculum in interactive surfaces, gesture technology, social web applications, mobile tilt techniques and unique Adobe Flash code, to hundreds of learners. "As an inventor, inventing ways to educate through creative curriculum has been an exciting challenge," said Zen in accepting the award. "It is an honour to help advance our culture and work with such dedicated students. Thank you to the CNMA and our industry for the recognition." Zen became professor and coordinator of curriculum for the Sheridan Interactive Multimedia one-year post-grad program in Oakville in 2002 soon after receiving the CNMA Programmer of the Year award. "Our Interactive Multimedia Program's blend of practical and creative design and development has helped graduates find rewarding careers in important positions of leading cultural companies such as C H U M , TVO, the Globe, ROM, and many of the hot Professor Dan Zen agencies in Canada. Graduates are building sites and features for the Olympics, social networks and movie franchises," said Zen. "In the information age, these are the coolest jobs you can get and we need more talent. We encourage artists, designers, illustrators, animators, engineers, programmers, graduates of communication or marketing to consider this exciting career." Zen also teaches in Web technologies with the School of Applied Computing and Engineering Sciences and in gaming with the joint Sheridan/University of Toronto Culture, Communication and Information Technology Program. Additionally, Zen creates for his site of more than 80 games and gadgets found at www.danzen.com. The Sheridan Interactive Multimedia Program was established in 1996 to educate learners in designing and building digital environments in which people can communicate and create content. This includes games and puzzles; tools and applications; artistic and experimental work; and simulations for education and entertainment. More information about the program can be found at imm.sheridaninstitute.ca. The Canadian New Media Awards (CNMA) were established in 1999 to promote and celebrate excellence within the digital interactive industry. The awards recognize the accomplishments and outstanding contributions made by Canadians working in this sector. Judges from across the country select 43 finalists and 14 winners from hundreds of entries. Each year, hundreds of business and new media professionals from across Canada gather to honour the country's top talent, services and products at the gala awards ceremony in November. For further information, visit www.cnma.ca. Christmas is Coming! g So are your guests! A new shower enclosure is sure to impress. 20% off until the 28th Have your's installed before it's too late! We cannot guarantee pre-Christmas installation for orders placed after November 28. Discount applies to materials only. r 28 materia Season's Greet s ing 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 ACURA of OAKVILLE's First Annual "Live to Give" Food Drive " ALL DONATIONS WILL BE MADE TO Acura of Oakville invites Oakville and area residents to stop by our new, conveniently located, state-of-the-art facility to obtain a "Food Drive" bag and help us in our quest to help and give hope to our community's most vulnerable citizens! There are nearly 2000 individuals that we want to help, and we need your support. Please come by, pick up a bag, and return it filled with your food or monetary donations (cheques payable to Kerr Street Ministries). From November 26 to December 20, Acura of Oakville will collect the community's contributions on behalf of Kerr Street Ministries. We look forward to handing out as many bags as we can, to clients, friends, neighbours, and local business representatives, to help make a difference at this special time of year! Please, help us help those who need it! ACURA OF OAKVILLE 905-825-8777 | www.acuraofoakville.com 1525 North Service Road W., Oakville On L6M 2W2 (3rd Line & QEW) Monday to Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday & Saturday 9am-5pm JOIN US IN HELPING OTHERS. PICK UP YOUR FOOD DRIVE BAG TODAY.