Four Visions of Technology- Supported Learning: Examples, Lessons, and Challenges for Business...
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Transcript of Four Visions of Technology- Supported Learning: Examples, Lessons, and Challenges for Business...
Four Visions of Technology-Supported Learning:
Examples, Lessons, and Challenges for Business Faculty
Bradley C. WheelerAssociate Professor of IS
Indiana [email protected]
http://wheeler.kelley.indiana.edu
Pressing Questions…
How does TSL add real value for learners, faculty, and institutions?
I did a course website… now what?
How should business schools proceed in both strategy and practice?
The TSL Puzzle for Faculty
Vision….why TSL?Proof of concept, early adoptersSkillful application for coursesTechnology (software) choicesFaculty developmentSustainability?Can I reach retirement age first?
Founding Assumptions
Our clients are ‘wired from birth’They are discerning clients with
access to a world of resourcesWired learning environments are
pervasive
Faculty have never been more critical!
\_/\_/
About the Technologies
Hand-crafted websitesBook publishers’ sitesCourse Containers:
Off-the-shelf software (e.g., TopClass, LearningSpace)
Custom software by universitiesApplication service providers (e.g.,
Blackboard.com)
Course Container Features
Repository for course documentsPolicies, syllabusResources, assignments
Collaboration capabilityThreaded-discussionSynchronous chat
Assessment capabilityRosters, Gradebooks, Profiles, etc.
4 Visions for Technology
Vision to AutomateVision to Informate DownVision to Informate UpVision to Transform
Real Course Examples from Each VisionImplemented in MBA/Exec Ed Programs
(Zuboff, 1984; Leidner & Jarvenppa, 1995)
Vision to Automate
Judicious use can make sense
Example: IS On-Line Competency Exam
Many course designs can benefit from a self-paced, self-assessment component
Vision to Informate Down
Pedagogy based on transmission of knowledge
“Course Containers”Web sites with slides, lecture notes,
exercises, etc.Example: Oak/Elm Class ForumExample: Exec Education & LearningSpace
Vision to Informate Up
Instructor can see into the minds of students and tailor instruction
Example: Pre-class On-line Voting for Cases
Example: Integrated Consulting Project
Vision to Transform
Fundamentally alter the rules that have defined knowledge construction for learners
Pedagogical focus is Cooperative, Collaborative, Constructive
Example: Joint Electronic Commerce Course IU with Helsinki School of Econ
Example: Cooperative Learning
Transforming Faculty Planning
Creating an electronic market for teaching topics, scheduling, planning
Organizational Memory across years Integrated syllabus production is a by-
product of a rationalized planning process
Example: MBA Core Planning System (CORPSe)
Transforming Doctoral Ed
Inter-institutional Indiana – U. TexasTightly-coupled joint doctoral
seminarVideoconferenced classroomsNotes/Browsers
Weekly ReportsArticle Summary Repository
Transforming Exec. Education
Creating inter-organizational electronic linkages between companies and b-schools
Providing on-line process structuring for strategic planning
Providing (near) real-time faculty guidance for Virtual Teams Example: Virtual Strategic Planning Tool Example: Course Containers - LearningSpace
Cultivating Self-Learning
Course is a consulting practiceClear, measurable mission statementStudents select topics for developing
deep competenciesCourse repository grows as
knowledge-base accessible to allExample: e-commerce course 1996,
2001
Challenges… Questions?
Time, Time, and Time!?!Personal technical skills?Heterogeneous technologies THEY keep changing the course
technologies at my school! Increases course operational
complexity
Pressing Questions…
How does TSL add real value for learners, faculty, and institutions?
I did a course website… now what?
How should universities proceed in both strategy and practice?
Strategy for the Network Era?
Choosing target markets Leverage the brand and existing capabilities Co-branding via educational consortia Build electronic relationships w/customers,
partners Recognizing TSL as an org. change initiative
Create capacity for innovation Establish a technology strategy Plan to access economies of scale in knowledge,
faculty skills, technology
The Tough Issues...
Steering faculty involvementIncenting the hard work of TSL startupDirecting that energy towards school
initiativesScaling successes across programs
Funding and steering a technology planStable, reliable, familiarDynamic, adaptive, innovative
How to Start? Scale Up?
Consider Which Vision(s) is(are) the Objective
Choose Enabling TechnologiesMake -- design, code, maintain yourselfBuy -- adapt to tools’ features/quirks
ImplementTrain, educate, reinforce, support
Implementation Strategies
Top Down - Planned GrowthSlowerHard work to Engage Faculty
Bottom Up - Organic GrowthMessyBuild from Success to Success
Further Reading
Leidner, D. E. & Jarvenpaa, S. L. (1995). The Use of Information Technology to Enhance Management School Education: A Theoretical View. MIS Quarterly, 19(3), 265-291.
Wheeler, B. C. (Winter, 1998). The State of Business Education: Preparing for the Past? Selections¸ (Journal of the Graduate Management Admissions Council).
Four Visions of Technology-Supported Learning:
Examples, Lessons, and Challenges for Business Faculty
Bradley C. WheelerAssociate Professor of IS
Indiana [email protected]
http://wheeler.kelley.indiana.edu