policy

Moving college into the 21st century — politico.com

On 04/13/2010, in future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, innovation, legislatures / government / legal, online learning, online media, open courseware and systems, policy, by Daniel Christian

Moving college into the 21st century — politico.com (see quotes below)

Today, we’ve reached another turning point. The global economy is changing, and the United States needs to educate its way to a better economy for the 21st century. President Barack Obama has set a goal that by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. To reach that goal, we need to bring 5 million more Americans into higher education and ensure that future generations will have the same opportunity for a college education and success in the work force.

The president has proposed a comprehensive agenda to keep a college education within reach, especially for America’s poorest families, and to dramatically increase college graduation rates in the next decade. President Obama’s agenda includes the largest increase in federal financial aid since the GI Bill — a 30 percent increase in fiscal 2010 alone. In addition, the president’s American Graduation Initiative would provide $12 billion more during the next 10 years to improve community colleges and help students gain access to higher education and ensure that they earn their degrees.

Beyond these investments in our future, one part of the AGI has the potential to have a lasting impact on the future of higher education: The president is proposing to invest $500 million over the next 10 years to create world-class online college and high school courses that will be available to all 24/7/365. Colleges, universities, publishers, other institutions and related consortia will be invited to compete to create state-of-the-art online courses that combine high-quality subject matter expertise with the latest advances in cognitive and computer sciences. Such courses will enable students to move through the material at their own pace. When students do not understand a particular lesson or concept, carefully designed assessments will identify the gap in their learning. They’ll relearn the material and have another chance to demonstrate mastery (emphasis DSC).

From DSC:

Along these same lines, see: The Forthcoming Walmart of Education.
If done well, these courses are going to be highly-engaging, while using state-of-the-art technologies and instructional methods. Can one faculty member compete with this team-based approach? No way! (And I mean no disrespect at all here — it’s just too much for one person to keep up with, be interested in, and have the time and resources to do all of this.)

Tagged with: future • future of higher education • legislation • ocw • policy

House Education Committee approves merit pay for teachers — from Education-Portal.com

On 04/07/2010, in assessment, change, changing business models, K-12 related, legislatures / government / legal, policy, by Daniel Christian

House Education Committee approves merit pay for teachers — from Education-Portal.com

“The House Education Policy Council approved a controversial bill on Monday that will tie teacher pay to student performance rather than tenure. Supporters of the legislation say that it will reward good teachers. Those who oppose it argue that it targets teachers and puts too much focus on test scores.”

Tagged with: assessment • change • game-changing environment • legislation • policy

An idea to reallocate where federal funding is invested — from DSC

On 03/26/2010, in budgets, legislatures / government / legal, policy, by Daniel Christian

Reallocating funds to decrease costs -- from Daniel S. Christian

Tagged with: budgetary • financial aid • legislation • policy

The big questions: Now what? — from weblogg-ed

On 03/24/2010, in change, curriculum, game-changing environment, K-12 related, leadership, passions, policy, strategy, teachers, by Daniel Christian

The big questions: Now what? — from weblogg-ed

So as of today, 220 of you were kind enough to vote on what you thought were the 10 most important questions from the list that we generated at Educon. Here are the “winners” at the moment:

How do we support the changing role of teacher? 116
What is the role of the teacher? 110
How do we help students discover their passions? 110
What is the essential learning that schools impart to students? 109
What is the purpose of school? 102
How do we adapt our curriculum to the technologies that kids are already using? 100
What does and educated person look like today? 97
How do we change policy to support more flexible time and place learning? 97
What are the essential practices of teachers in a system where students are learning outside of school? 92
How do we ensure those without privilege have equal access to quality education and opportunity? 92

And here were the next three that didn’t quite make the cut:

What is preventing us from being adaptable to change? 79
How do you validate or evaluate informal learning? 77
How do we measure or assess the effectiveness of individualized self-directed learning outside of school? 68

Tagged with: change • curriculum • game-changing environment • K-12 • passions • policy

Illinois official has innovative ideas for higher education — via Ray Schroeder

On 03/24/2010, in budgets, business side of he, changing business models, colleges, higher education, leadership, policy, traditional / tradition, universities, by Daniel Christian

Illinois official has innovative ideas for higher education – Dolph C. Simons, Jr., Lawrence Journal-World

“Stanley Ikenberry, interim president of the University of Illinois, on how students, families and the university all could save money and, at the same time, maintain the quality and integrity of his institution. Ikenberry said a shorter college career, an “accelerated program” that could be in place by fall 2011, would raise revenue for the school while cutting tuition and letting students enter the work force sooner. The president said a combination of distance learning or online courses, placement tests for college credit, high school participation in some programs and, especially, use of summer school could shorten a student’s stay at one of the three campuses.”

From DSC:
I’m not sure what I think about all of the possibilities, but clearly, the environment is pressing us for change. The status quo is no longer an option.

Tagged with: budgetary • game-changing environment • leadership • policy

Incorporating innovation into strategic planning that will enrich learning — from the Innovative Educator

On 03/24/2010, in innovation, K-12 related, leadership, policy, strategy, by Daniel Christian

Incorporating innovation into strategic planning that will enrich learning — from the Innovative Educator

From DSC:
Some quotes that jumped out at me include:

As innovative educators, students, leaders, and families, are well aware, technology is just a tool. In and of itself technology does not equate to either innovation or greater effectiveness.

I’ve heard one too many educational leader, teacher or parent proudly state that they are part of an innovative school as evidenced by the fact that they have laptops or Smartboards in every classroom. That is not impressive. What is impressive is when the conversation begins with how student learning is enriched in new ways and learners are engaged with innovative tools and ideas.

Here are some ideas on how your school can get started on the road to developing a strategic plan for learning…

From DSC:
The keys here for me are to have a strategy on where and how you are going to innovate. The status quo must go.

Tagged with: innovation • K-12 • leadership • policy • strategy

Higher education budgets and the global recession: Tracking varied national responses and their consequences — from cshe.berkeley.edu

On 03/23/2010, in budgets, business side of he, change, changing business models, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, policy, by Daniel Christian

Higher education budgets and the global recession: Tracking varied national responses and their consequences — from cshe.berkeley.edu

Excerpt from the Abstract:

States have very limited ability to borrow funds for operating costs, making the federal government the last resort. In short, how state budgets go, so goes US higher education; whereas most national systems of higher education financing is tied to national budgets with an ability to borrow. Without the current stimulus funding, the impact on access and maintaining the health of America’s universities would have been even more devastating. But that money will be largely spent by the 2011 fiscal year (Oct 2010-Sept 2011), unless Congress and the White House renew funding support on a similar scale for states that are coping with projected large budget gaps. That now seems unlikely.

Original posting from George Siemens — Higher Education Budgets and the Global Recession

Tagged with: budgetary • business side of he • policy

Tagged with: innovation • K-12 • policy • staying relevant

Video: Tim O’Reilly on education as an open system [platform] — from dgree.org

On 03/16/2010, in future of higher education, internet, K-12 related, open courseware and systems, platforms, policy, by Daniel Christian

From DSC:
This idea of creating platforms is key. Apple let people develop their own apps for the iPhone, and look what happened. Innovation skyrockets when people can contribute.

Where is innovation happening within your organization? In your face-to-face learning environment? In your online learning environment? In your hybrid/blended spaces? How can we open things up more to allow for:

More creativity
The pursuit of students’ passions
Increased flexibility in our offerings
More innovation
A greater reach/impact?

Also see:
Video: JP Rangaswami on the nature of platforms

Tagged with: innovation • internet • K-12 • ocw • policy

A new foundation for 21st century learning [2011 budget]

On 02/23/2010, in budgets, education technology, funding / grants, K-12 related, by Daniel Christian

The 2011 Budget makes a strong commitment to technology that transforms how educators teach and how students learn. The President strongly believes that technology, when used creatively and effectively, can transform education and training in the same way that it has transformed the private sector. It makes a broad array of Department of Education programs, including the $500 million “Investing in Innovation” Fund, eligible for technology-related investments, encouraging the infusion of educational technology across a broad range of programs in order to improve teaching and learning, and build the capacity at the State and local level to support better uses of technology for efficient and effective transfer of knowledge.

Potential for Transformative Impact:
Last year, the President released A Strategy for American Innovation, highlighting the role of technology in educating the next generation. The strategy outlined the role that educational technology could play to improve our quality of life and establish the foundation for the industries and jobs of the future. For example (emphasis below from DSC):

Online learning can allow adults that are struggling to balance the competing demands of work and family to acquire new skills, and compete for higher wage jobs, at a time, place and pace that is convenient for them. It can also improve access to a quality education for students in underserved areas.
Digital tutors can provide every student with immediate feedback and personalized instruction, providing them with the information needed to diagnose and correct errors, and providing challenging instruction.
Digital learning environments can generate a large volume of data that, if analyzed properly, will support “continuous improvement” by providing rich feedback to learners, teachers, curriculum designers, and researchers in the field of learning science and technology.
“Games for learning” that are compelling and engaging have the potential to increase the attentive time on task that students engage in learning. Massive multiplayer games can support the social and team-based dimensions of learning.
Simulations, such as a flight simulator for pilots or a “digital human” for medical professionals can allow students to engage in hands-on learning.
Open educational resources can be shared, adapted, re-mixed, and re-used.
Technology can increase parental involvement, provide new opportunities for students with disabilities and for English Language Learners, allow teachers to participate in “communities of practice,” and enlist professionals and retirees as online mentors.

Tagged with: budgetary • educational technology • government • K-12 • online learning • policy

Academic leadership qualities for meeting today’s higher education challenges — from Faculty Focus

On 02/19/2010, in higher education, leadership, policy, by Daniel Christian

“Leadership and Management: Complementary Skill Sets”
“Zen and the Art of Higher Education Administration”
“Techniques of Leadership”
“A Formal Approach to Facilitating Change”

Other articles in Academic Leadership Qualities for Meeting Today’s Higher Education Challenges include:

Factors That Affect Department Chairs’ Performance
Changing Roles for Chairs
Becoming a More Mindful Leader
Creating a Culture of Leadership
There’s More to Leadership than Motivation and Ability
10 Recommendations toward Effective Leadership
Hope-Centered Leadership in Practice

Tagged with: higher education • leadership • policy

How well has your institution integrated technology? — Tony Bates

On 02/11/2010, in education technology, policy, smart classrooms, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

How well has your institution integrated technology? — from Tony Bates

Tagged with: budgetary • educational technology • policy • smart classrooms • strategy

Simulation Technologies in Higher Education: Uses, Trends, and Implications

On 02/09/2010, in budgets, higher education, IT in HE, policy, simulations, by Daniel Christian

Simulation Technologies in Higher Education: Uses, Trends, and Implications — from Educause by David A. Damassa (Tufts University) and Toby D. Sitko (EDUCAUSE)

“This ECAR research bulletin focuses on the rapid growth in the use of simulation technologies in higher education and the implications this will have for information technology planning and policy decisions.”

Tagged with: policy • simulations

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