stephen downes (born april 6, 1959) is a canadian philosopher and expert in online learning and new media. downes has worked with computers and online technologies in education since 1995. downes gave the 2004 buntine oration. he spoke at the february 2007 online connectivism conference. in 2008, downes and george siemens designed and taught an online, open course. it was called a "landmark in the small but growing push toward 'open teaching'" it is often called the first massive open online course (mooc).