About Beth Agnew
Frustrated at the age of 5 by a toy typewriter that didn’t really type, Beth Agnew has been pursuing improvements in communication technology most of her life. She was first published at 14, and continued to write for magazines and newspapers even when sidetracked by a 10-year career in military telecommunications. That exposure to computer-mediated communication spurred her interest in using technology to facilitate the expression of information and ideas.
Her desire to make technology accessible to others resulted in an emphasis on technical writing and editing. Her creative nature inspired a move into broadcasting, where she hosted a number of music, information, and comedy shows including “Friday Morning Visit” for CBC-affiliated CFN, as well as writing freelance pieces for various markets, including Canadian Living and The Stars & Stripes.
Over the years, her writing and editing responsibilities increased to encompass marketing communications for scientific and high technology clients, speaking engagements and teaching opportunities related to computers, usability, and communications technology.
Ms. Agnew was formerly employed by Sanctuary Woods Multimedia Corporation where she wrote and edited interactive stories for CD-ROM. She adapted the 20th Century-Fox animated feature film “Once Upon a Forest” to interactive CD-ROM, and was Story Editor for more than a dozen other interactive titles. Following that, she ran her own communications company specializing in designing and authoring multimedia courseware and applications. Projects included adapting and producing The Joy of Quilting on CD-ROM.
At InSystems Technologies Inc., Ms. Agnew applied her communications expertise to interface design and information development for the company’s knowledge management and document assembly products. She has been Executive Producer for The Medea Group, a Toronto-based multimedia design firm, and continues to consult for a number of companies in all aspects of communications and technology. Her clients have included corporations, institutions, and various federal and provincial ministries.
With significant leadership and management experience gained through all these activities, Ms. Agnew studied personnel development to add breadth and depth to her natural affinity for working with diverse people. Her Life Systems™ Coaching program has helped people get better results on the job and achieve their life objectives.
The usability and product design aspect of her technical communication activities have helped companies improve user experience for their products and services.
Currently, Beth Agnew teaches communication at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto. She is the co-ordinator of the Technical Communication program at Seneca, and she has mentored numerous students and graduates, helping them achieve their goals. She has served on the Advisory Boards of the Institute for New Media Research and Development, College of the Rockies, Cranbrook, B.C., and the Seneca College Technical Communication program. Ms. Agnew has a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of Victoria and is undertaking Masters degree study at Utah State University. She is a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication.
A true Renaissance woman, Ms. Agnew blends her interests in technology, education, and communication to help others improve. As a fan of pop culture, she has styled herself as a cyber-anthropologist and spoken on Tribes: How the Internet Creates Community among other topics. She is a certified Laughter Leader with Laughter Yoga International, and practices laughter for no reason. In her philosophy, if life isn’t fun, you’re definitely missing something!
Comments (2)
John Onuoha
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:34 am
Dear Beth,
I want to inquire if you could be my literary agent.
I have a book that tell the story of an African girl forced into an early marriage because of wealth and the union ends abruptly and disastrously after few years……..subsequently she went into drugs,alcoholism and almost a “sexaholic” .She was sexy and a maniac and many men swamped on her to satisfy their lust,while she satisfies hers.It also told the pains of many men that had serial affairs with her…their woes and troubles,how they moved ahead and emotional traumas the suffered after her and how they overcame all .
Nene met a young man that fell in love with her.for the first time in her life she could force herself to try to love again. He was very religious man and so she was advised to start going to church,which she had never been a church person.It was another struggle for them both but she finally bowed to pressure because he has to do what he says to remain in the relationship.Gradually she started being transformed and put all her life in the hands of the brother,and now demanded that the brother should marry her,else she will commit suicide as every other man has not been able to cope with and understand her better except him.The church would refuse to grant approval for the marriage,the reasons out of many was she was divorced.In one occasion his pastor has to call him “husband of wife”,sarcastically,(meaning he’s getting married to another man’s wife). to get him understand that his stance is not approved.the problem became the bible verse that says a woman is bound by the law as long as her husband lives.the man above all would like to marry Nene,at least to save her from wolves who might come close to inherit her wealth in the name of loving her,and protecting her life from further ruin.but the dilemma is multifaceted.One,what is the guarantee that she would be able to overcome her issues faster and settle down to raise a stable family.Secondly,his religion would not permit him to marry a divorced woman.So he struggled against his religion and his conscience,
Please your response is awaited.
Regards,
John Onuoha.
David Hawkshaw
April 13th, 2012 at 9:50 am
A few years ago IBM bought a small co. that was working on a product that could help save the planet. A mirror dish that concentrates suns rays onto a very small solar panel about the size of a loonie. Every home could have its own electric power. No more coal burning or nuclear plants, or gas stations.The problem with it is the high temp. on the small panel. Not if, but when they solve the problem, if they haven’t already, do you think they are going to share this technology?
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