About DynEd
| To our customers
We are dedicated to being on the leading edge, with sound pedagogy and proven technologies that enhance learning. We will not use a technology before it has proven to be both reliable and beneficial for language learning. |
DynEd International, Inc. was founded in 1987 by a dedicated team of language teachers, engineers, and artists. It produced and brought to market the world’s first language-teaching CD-ROM and received a patent for its innovative design. Now, after more than 17 years of experience, DynEd has the world’s most comprehensive lineup of award-winning computer-based English Language Teaching (ELT) solutions.
 First DynEd Products, 1987 |
DynEd’s research-based courses cover all proficiency levels and include a range of age-appropriate courses, from kids in school to adults in leading corporations. In addition, DynEd courses are supported by an award-winning Records Management System, Mastery and Placement tests, and extensive teacher-support materials, including teacher-training and mentoring.
Designed to be used in a partnership with teachers and classroom support, DynEd courses are available from DynEd partners and licensed training organizations. Clients include private and public schools, universities, leading corporations, training organizations, and government agencies in more than 40 countries.
DynEd courses have won an impressive list of over 40 major awards, and have been approved by Ministries of Education in several countries, including France and China. DynEd is committed to quality education — a fact reflected in its name, “DynEd,” which stands for “Dynamic Education.”
Company Location
DynEd’s head office and development center is in Burlingame, California – overlooking San Francisco Bay. The company has sales and support offices around the world. For a representative in your area, please contact us.
The DynEd Executive Management Team
Ian Adam – Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Mr. Adam is responsible for overall strategy and general management of DynEd. He has over thirty years experience in the computer industry, first as an IT professional and then twenty-three years in sales, marketing, business development, and executive management. Mr. Adam has worked for multinational companies including Citicorp, IBM, Olivetti, and Apple. Mr. Adam has an extensive international business background having conducted business in Asia, Europe, and throughout the Americas. He has lived and worked in the UK, Belgium, Canada, Brazil, and USA. Prior to joining DynEd in 1996, Mr. Adam served as Acting General Manager responsible for the successful establishment of Apple Computer Inc.’s subsidiary in Brazil.
Lance Knowles – President and Director of Courseware Development
Mr. Knowles is among the world’s foremost experts on the development and use of multimedia ELT courses. As the co-founder and President of DynEd, he has personally led the design of DynEd’s core products, including the world’s first interactive language learning program on CD-ROM in 1987, and the award-winning course, New Dynamic English. Used in over 70 countries worldwide, his innovative courses have been approved by national Ministries of Education — including France, China, and Malaysia — and have won more than 40 major awards.
With more than 30 years experience in English language education, Mr. Knowles co-founded the company in 1987 with DynEd’s chief engineer, Douglas Crane. Together, they earned a US patent for the features at the root of their interface design and authoring tools. An experienced presenter, textbook author, and former director of the Language Institute of Japan (1979-86), Lance has led teacher-training seminars for more than 15 years and in more than 14 countries.
Douglas Crane – Senior Vice President, Engineering
Mr. Crane is Vice President of Engineering, responsible for directing the company’s research and development. He designed and programmed the proprietary authoring language and user interface for DynEd courseware, which now runs on all major multimedia platforms. Prior to co-founding DynEd, Mr. Crane developed award winning programs for Picodyne Corporation, which was a pioneering educational software company. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Stanford University and is the co-holder of a multimedia patent.
Nicholas Randall – Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Sales & Marketing
Mr. Randall joined DynEd in 1990 after fifteen years in educational publishing. As former President of Janus Book Publishers he helped grow and sell the company to Simon & Schuster, where he then became President of Simon & Schuster’s Special Needs Publishers. At DynEd he has developed an international sales network which has led to revenue growth of 40 percent per year. Mr. Randall has a 20- year career in public service as an elected and appointed office holder. He is a graduate in political science from the University of Oregon.
Norman Harris, Managing Director, Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Mr. Harris joined DynEd in 1995 after nearly 20 years in English language teaching (ELT) and publishing. Starting as a university professor and teacher trainer in Afghanistan, China and Japan, he moved into publishing as a freelance writer, then Sales/Editorial Liaison for Time Life in Japan. Later he served as Paramount Communications’ ELT Sales and Marketing Director for Japan, then Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The author of several ELT texts, he has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences around the world. Mr. Harris received double honors in political science and philosophy at Claremont McKenna College and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Claremont Graduate School.
Bill Gatton, President, DynEd Japan, Ltd.
Mr. Gatton brings to DynEd more than 20 years in educational publishing and media, and teaching in Japan and the US. The first foreigner in marketing for a major ELT publisher in Japan with Oxford University, he also served as US West coast Area Manager of Oxford University Press. As the liaison between BBC English and its local representative in Japan, Mr. Gatton also managed a language school chain and served as managing director of Meynard Publishing. He joined DynEd in 1993 to establish DynEd Japan, which has recently celebrated more than ten years as Japan’s most respected multimedia ELT firm. Mr. Gatton is a graduate in political science and history from Towson State University, where he also taught.
