10 reports on the near future of learning — from EdReformer.com by Tom Vander Ark
On 03/24/2011,
in 21st century, blended learning, cost of getting a degree, Daniel S. Christian, elearning, emerging technologies, Europe, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, hybrid learning, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, K-12 related, learning agents, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, online learning, personalized/customized learning,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
In my mind, this area of intelligent systems and agents is one of the most important areas to watch in the years ahead. Such efforts should help us develop sophisticated systems that can help deliver personalized, customized education at the K-12 and higher ed levels…and perhaps will be relevant in the L&D space as well.
The innovations that come from this area may make hybrid-based — as well as 100% online-based learning — incredibly powerful!
If someone can develop such systems and make them available at far cheaper prices than exist today, a quality “Walmart of Education” will truly have been built.
Per the Call for Papers section, the topics for this conference include, but are not limited to:
| Area 1 – Intelligent Systems
– Algorithms – Artificial Intelligence – Automation Systems and Control – Bioinformatics – Computational Intelligence – Expert Systems – Fuzzy Technologies and Systems – Game and Decision Theories – Intelligent Control Systems – Intelligent Internet Systems – Intelligent Software Systems – Intelligent Systems – Machine Learning – Neural Networks – Neurocomputers – Optimization – Parallel Computation – Pattern Recognition – Robotics and Autonomous Robots – Signal Processing – Systems Modelling – Web Mining
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Area 2 – Agents
– Adaptive Agent Systems – Agent Applications – Agent Communication – Agent Development – Agent middleware – Agent Models and Architectures – Agent Ontologies – Agent Oriented Systems and Engineering – Agent Programming, Languages and Environments – Agent Systems – Agent Technologies – Agent Theories – Agent Trends – Agents Analysis and Design – Agents and Learning – Agents and Ubiquitous Computing – Agents in Networks – Agents Protocols and Standards – Artificial Systems – Computational Complexity – eCommerce and Agents – Embodied Agents – Mobile Agents – Multi-Agent Systems – Negotiation Strategies – Performance Issues – Security, Privacy and Trust – Semantic Grids – Simulation – Web Agents |
On 03/04/2011,
in adjunct faculty, blended learning, education technology, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, faculty, hybrid learning, instructional design, pedagogy, professional development, teaching & learning,
by Daniel Christian
.Some of the sessions being offered include:
- Innovative Assessment Techniques
- Teaching the Nontraditional Adult Learner
- Designing Educational Experiences that Promote Deep Learning
- Developing an Academic Honesty Program that Works
- Modeling Writing for Developmental Learners
- Computers in the Classroom: Evidence of Student Engagement (Not Distraction)
- Fostering Student Engagement in Online Learning Environments
- Integrating Emerging Technology in the Classroom and Beyond
- Setting Up Your Hybrid Course for Success
- Engaging Millennial Students in the Basic Course
On 02/21/2011,
in blended learning, hybrid learning, instructional design, learning, pedagogy,
by Daniel Christian
Putting the Learning in Blended Learning — from Faculty Focus by Ike Shibley, PhD. in Instructional Design
Blended learning involves using a combination of face-to-face interactions and online interactions in the same course. Students still regularly meet in the classroom in a blended course, but the frequency of those meetings is usually decreased. The goal of blended learning is to facilitate greater student learning and could thus fit within a learner-centered paradigm.
Many discussions about blended learning, however, focus not on learning but on blending. “Blended” is an adjective and “learning” is a noun; why has our focus been directed at the adjective? Do we assume, as is often done in the teaching paradigm, that learning is automatically assumed? I think that blended learning has become widely established enough that attention can now be paid to the learning portion of the name.
In higher education learning must be the focus—the push for learner-centered teaching is a noble, pedagogically defensible goal. Improving the cost-effectiveness of teaching should play only a secondary role. An instructor should not begin a blended design by asking how many face-to-face hours are really necessary, even though some administrators may use reduced hours as a starting point. The course should be designed to maximize learning.
Also see:
On 01/24/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, blended learning, education, education reform, future, hybrid learning, K-12 related, leadership, online learning,
by Daniel Christian
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From DSC:
It shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows my work when I say that I think Sajan George is right on the mark! 🙂
For example, below are the main points of what I heard him say (with some graphics of my own that back up what I have been saying):
Sajan George: The Future of Education
January Series at Calvin College (January 24, 2011)
We are living in a new age, the Conceptual Age — primary skill sets that we now need are for creators and empathizers. Why? Because those two skillsets aren’t easily automated or outsourced (Sajan referenced Dan Pink’s work).
We built our education system in between the agricultural and industrial ages; mass production model was built during a much different time with different needs.
Speed and acceleration of change has greatly increased. At a phenomenal pace!
From DSC:
You may have seen me post this graphic a few times:
Sajan gave an example that focused on an older model of a coffee maker vs. a newer model: Coffee Maker 1.0 vs. Coffee Maker 2.0. Point was that we still need skills, but design, esthetic, and emotion have become more important.
Also, we live in a society that demands Coffee Maker 2.0 — but our educational systems are still offering Education 1.0. We are still batching kids by age, using a 1-to-many model, etc.
We still are offering “Education 1.0” where
- Content is king
- Collaboration is cheating
- Poor performance gets you an F – discouraging
- Teacher role = expert
…but we are living in a “Society 2.0” world
- Experience is king
- Collaboration is encouraged
- Performance is rewarded; like game designers, encouraged to try again
- Teacher and student roles are interchangeable; teacher more of a facilitator
Also, our current methods of educating students is not scalable, not sustainable!
Previous attempts at changing our educational systems have failed because they’ve been trying to fix the status quo of education! It’s a design problem.
From DSC:
You may have seen me post this graphic a few times:
Current educational system needs to be completely blown up and redesigned! We live in a digital world, yet kids sitting in analog world.
Technology that customizes learning – recommendation engines, adaptive learning; personalized/customized learning.
Online learning is scalable, sustainable – while offering instantaneous feedback. Per Sajan, “But it’s happening on the fringes; home school kids; supplemental, etc.”
Hybrid environment – hoping to nationally launch this year
- Each student gets 2 teachers
- Netbook w/ curriculum – w/ lessons loaded
- Learning management system progresses each child at that student’s pace
- Bulk is in online engine
- Teachers don’t have to lesson plan, grade, etc. – so what do they do? The role of the teacher changes to being a facilitator of learning – a coach, mentor, a guide. Can build better, closer relationships.
Use data to differentiate instruction.
Design problem in education.
Hybrid learning <– Sajan’s current work promoting this model; brings power of human interaction with the customization that technology can bring.
From DSC:
You may have seen this graphic I’ve posted a few times — that aims to capture the best of both worlds:
When trying to change things, you need a compelling vision of what you are trying to build/achieve.
From DSC:
You may have seen the vision I was trying to relay here.
From Q&A session…with a hybrid mode:
- Not labeling some kids as struggling students; teachers forced to leave some behind while trying to keep the plates spinning over there for kids who are getting it
On 01/20/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, animation, blended learning, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, collaboration, convergence, corporate / business world, corporate universities / corporate training, cost of getting a degree, creativity, Daniel S. Christian, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, e-books, e-readers, education, education reform, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, flipping -- inverted learning, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, global / globalization, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, hybrid learning, immersion, informal learning, innovation, interactivity, internet, K-12 related, learning, learning agents, learning ecosystem, learning preferences, learning spaces, lifelong learning, love of learning, marketplaces, media/film, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multimedia, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, play, podcasting, simulations, social learning / networks, social media, strategy, teaching & learning, technologies for your home, technology (general), telepresence, television, training / L&D, transmedia, trends, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX), user interface design, vendors, videoconferencing, virtual field trips, virtual K-12 schools, vision/possibilities, visualizing information, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
The other day, I created/posted the top graphic below. Take the concepts below — hook them up to engines that use cloud-based learner profiles — and you have some serious potential for powerful, global, ubiquitous learning! A touch-sensitive panel might be interesting here as well.
Come to think of it, add social networking, videoconferencing, and web-based collaboration tools — the power to learn would be quite impressive. Multimedia to the nth degree.
Then add to that online marketplaces for teaching and learning — where you can be both a teacher and a learner at the same time — hmmm…
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From DSC:
Then today, I saw Cisco’s piece on their Videoscape product line! Check it out!
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On 01/17/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, Daniel S. Christian, digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, e-books, e-readers, education, education reform, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, entrepreneurship, flipping -- inverted learning, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), informal learning, innovation, interaction design, interactivity, interface design, internet, IT in HE, K-12 related, learner profiles, learning, learning ecosystem, learning spaces, lifelong learning, media/film, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multimedia, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, play, simulations, social learning / networks, teaching & learning, technologies for your home, technology (general), telepresence, training / L&D, transmedia, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX), user interface design, videoconferencing, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, web-based collaboration, webinars,
by Daniel Christian
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Addendum on 1-20-11:
The future of the TV is online — from telegraph.co.uk
Your television’s going to get connected, says Matt Warman
On 01/15/2011,
in blended learning, budgets, education reform, hybrid learning, K-12 related, online learning,
by Daniel Christian
A Big Idea: Blended CBO — from EdReformer.com by Tom Vander Ark
The nation received a friendly ‘C’ in the annual state of the nation last week. We need quality at scale and there is finally a way achieve it.
More than two million students learn online. The scaled providers (Apex, K12, Connections, Florida Virtual, NC Virtual, and Lincoln Interactive to name a few) could triple in size given 60 days notice and do it with consistent quality. We’ve never had an opportunity like that; it’s only local and state policy that stands in the way of better learning opportunities for several million kids and fast.
Community–based organizations (CBO) build powerful sustained relationships with youth, engage them in developmental activities, and connect them to youth and family services. Many of them are frustrated by working around struggling schools.
If we combine the two assets—online instruction and powerful community connections—we get one big scalable idea: blended CBOs. A blended school model incorporates online learning and onsite support in ways that are often more flexible and cost effective than traditional schools.
Michael Robbins, Department of Education’s Office of Faith-Based Partnerships, is interested in expanding the educational impact of CBOs. He thinks blended CBOs is a big idea. Over breakfast at DC’s Tabard Inn, Michael and I sketched out a couple ways this idea could scale:
On 01/13/2011,
in blended learning, change, curriculum, engagement / engaging students, hybrid learning, instructional design, K-12 related, leadership, learning ecosystem, Michigan, motivation, online learning, strategy,
by Daniel Christian
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Also see:
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The 19,100-student Grand Rapids school district in Michigan launched blended-learning classes this past fall. The district has started with high school social studies and math classes.
“There was some initial resistance from the public—concerned parents with the perception that kids are just going to be stuck in computer labs—but that’s absolutely contrary to what [this] is,” said John Helmholdt, the director of communications for the district. “When you say blended, people don’t understand what that means. It took months of really trying to educate and raise awareness of really what it was we were trying to do.”
Moving to a blended model actually made teacher-student ratios better, according to Mr. Helmholdt, by layering on support-staff members to circulate when the students were completing work online.
In Grand Rapids, the blended classes go through a three-day rotation of face-to-face and online instruction. During the first day, students receive a traditional lecture-based class in a regular classroom where a new concept is introduced. On the second day, the class starts by going over the concept again and then beginning to use some of the online software and support tools that reinforce the concept. On the third day, the students work solely with digital resources. [Rest of article here.]
From DSC:
I am very glad that the Grand Rapids school system is moving in this direction! It is a huge step in the right direction and I congratulate the district’s leadership for their vision and patience while this plane gets off the runway. This endeavor will help the students begin to build digital/information literacy. It will open their minds up to numerous creative possibilities — as well as career opportunities and goals. They are beginning to have “the world as their school“.
On 01/12/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, blended learning, creativity, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, e-books, e-readers, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, expectations, face-to-face, higher education, human-computer interaction (HCI), hybrid learning, innovation, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, learning preferences, love of learning, mathematics, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multimedia, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, passions, play, podcasting, reading, simulations, storytelling, student-related, tablets, teaching & learning, tools, transmedia, trends, ubiquitous learning, videoconferencing, visualizing information,
by Daniel Christian
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From DSC:
I post this here — with higher ed included in the tags/categories — because if the trend within K-12 continues (i.e. that of using such technologies as the iPad, digital textbooks, mobile learning devices, etc.), students’ expectations WILL be impacted. When they hit our doorsteps, they will come with their heightened sets of expectations. The question is, will we in higher ed be ready for them?
The Benefits of Blended Learning Explained — from Faculty Focus
When talking to administrators, point out that blended learning…
- impacts the entire institution.
- offers a learner-centered pedagogy.
- may integrate with the strategic plan.
- improves classroom utilization.
- can help match delivery to academic need.
- can help fill under-enrolled courses and programs.
When talking to faculty, point out that blended learning….
- gives them access to new resources.
- introduces them to online learning.
- is an opportunity for faculty development and lets them experiment with new pedagogies and techniques.
- helps meet student expectations and build student skills.
- allows for more flexible scheduling.
- retains the face-to-face aspect faculty may cherish.
When talking to students, point out blended learning…
- meets their expectations for utilizing technology.
- develops independent learning skills.
- offers increased flexibility and convenience.
- provides better access to those with job, family, or distance barriers.
- helps reduce educational costs.
On 01/04/2011,
in blended learning, business, collaboration, corporate / business world, hybrid learning, learning ecosystem, pace of change, training / L&D, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
Learning and the State of Business in 2011 — from Chief Learning Office by Bob Lee
As the pace of business continues to accelerate and mobility within the workforce continues to rise, virtual communication and collaboration in support of learning becomes more and more essential. Blended approaches that combine the best of traditional learning models with online learning are gaining momentum because they help decrease costs and meet the needs of an increasingly dispersed and mobile business workforce. A blended learning approach offers faster and more affordable ways to arm an organization with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to changes and achieve business goals.