Higher Education in a Web 2.0 World

The Higher Education Academy and JISC have recently (May 12, 2009) published a new Higher Education in a Web 2.0 World report (also available as a PDF), which examines the projected future trends in the use of technology in higher education.

The group was created in February 2008 to conduct independent research and review policy implications for higher education, specifically around the experience and expectations of learners and the increase of emerging technologies.

Flickr photo by jrodgers

The HE in a Web 2.0 World report analyzes the use of web 2.0 technologies at colleges & universities in the UK, with regards to the digital divide and information literacy. It is clear that various institutions are utilizing online resources in various ways to support learning and engagement.

Issues that will continue to prompt change in higher ed include:

• Tradition
  
• Environmental factors
• Diversity in the learner population
• A richer educational experience
• Practice in schools
• Open source materials and online universities
• Skills development

A Vision of Students Today.

Here is an archived clip I was reminded of today about the current state of our learners.  Although this video past posted back in 2007, I think that the “vision” or purpose of the message still holds true as we support technology & learning.

This video is brought to you by Kansas State University, who has a working group led by Dr. Michael Wesch.  This group is dedicated to exploring and extending the possibilities of digital ethnography.  You can follow along at Media Cultures or @mwesch.

Teaching with Twitter

Some college students may be introduced to instructors & courses that ENCOURAGE microblogging with Twitter.

Twitter is becoming a fast buzz in both media and celebrity circles, however I think that more teachers are beginning to realize the power this social media tool for learning.

Here are a few benefits for professors who experiment with Twitter as a teaching tool:

• source of news
• opinions of peers
• gain knowledge from experts
• live & archived tweeting in class
• capture lecture content
• add depth to lecture material
• build a learning community inside & beyond the classroom

For those faculty/instructors who might consider tweeting in class, I might recommend that you start up your own Twitter account and play with it. Also, be sure to read up about strategies &tools that to optimize learning with Twitter.

I personally like TweetDeck (an Adobe Air-based app) to organize & categorize my tweets. I can clearly see my messages, replies and content areas I am interested in at a quick glance.  Some categories I use for tweets include:  Higher Ed, Web Tools, Career Research, T.O., Students, etc.

Here’s a quick tutorial to learn more about TweetDeck:

Are YOU twittering with your students? If so, please share!

10 High(er Ed) Fliers on Twitter

Check out 10 frequent fliers that are active on Twitter in Higher Ed c/o the Chronicle article from late last week. (Sorry for the delay.)

Most of these micro-bloggers study new media & the impact of Twitter on higher education.  Follow on, friends.

@PRSAjobcenter

@jayrosen_nyu

@hrheingold

@amandafrench

@academicdave

@dancohen

@paullev

@mcleod

@mwesch

@presidentgee

TIDE is Coming In for Developmental Educators

The Technical Institute for Developmental Educators (TIDE) will be held at Texas State San Marcos from July 26-31, 2009.  This is an interesting, hand-on technology workshop sponsored by Texas State University, CRLA and NADE fo higher ed folks interested in utilizing technology in their work.

Those who should attend include:

• Developmental educators in higher education who want to learn more about how to use technology
• All expertise are welcome; workshops beginners to advance
• Both PC and Macintosh platforms will be available
• Project support for initiatives at respective institutions
• Opportunity to receive 3 hours of graduate credit or continuing education credit.

There will be at least 6 mini-course sessions (3 hours each) throughout the week, to introduce various learning opportunities with technology and enhance skills.  There will also be daily mentoring group meetings to debrief and support project development.

Professional Development Options for “Tough Times”

Financial crisis has hit the US, and this has impacted many fiscal decisions in higher education.  One of first areas to be cut in college & university budgets is professional development.  

Although it is critical to engage our faculty & staff in personal and professional growth, it will be our challenge to be more “creative” with how we go about it.  Instead of attending conferences, workshops & seminars far away we are suggested to look towards internal development or online cost-effective alternatives.

Since I am interested in further education & support in the higher education field I thought it would great to share some online professional development resources.  Some of these are free or a cheaper alternative if you connect with your department staff:

• Knowledge Media Design Institute, University of Toronto: ePresence Presentation Portal & Lecture Series
• NACADA: Webinar Events
• Educause Live! free monthly events
• ACPA Higher Education: Webinar Series
• NASPA: New Professionals Online Series & members only E-Books
• InsideHigherEd.com: podcasts
• StudentAffairs.com: Online Courses, Listservs & Blogs 
• POD Network Resources
• Diverse Issues in Higher Education: Events
• Academic Impressions Events (some online)
• Articles & resources in The Chronicle
• Impact Alumni: podcasts
• Alumni Futures: blog

Feel free to add your 2 cents as to where to get free/inexpensive professional development.

Web 2.0 Goes to Work (for Education, Too!)

The McKinsey Quarterly presented a great business model of 6 ways that web 2.0 technologies can go to work for managers:

1. The transformation to a bottom-up culture needs help from the top.

2. The best uses come from users—but they require help to scale.

3. What’s in the workflow is what gets used.

4. Appeal to the participants’ egos and needs—not just their wallets.

5. The right solution comes from the right participants.

6. Balance the top-down and self-management of risk.
I would argue that these business practices can also support best practices in higher education. If we think about our students, faculty & staff in our “business model” this might be a few things to consider on how to get web 2.0 to work for education:

1. Students need to part of the development & process of education.

2. Go to where students are – use the technologies are being used.

3. Incorporate web 2.0 tools into current resources & services

4. Interact & provide feedback to activity online.

5. Target tech-savvy students & staff to help facilitate online learning initiatives among peer groups.

6. Encourage online contributions from students with some moderation.

Just Blog It, HigherEd!

For those of you in higher education who either blog or read blogs on a regular basis, you might be interested in learning more about BlogHigherEd 

This is an excellent network that aggregate blogs from ALL over the realm of higher education, including faculty, webmasters, administrators, marketers, vendors, counselors, consultants, etc on their current blogroll.  It’s a great area to find people doing similar things and learn about new ideas going on all over the world.  Happy reading!

 

Small Plug:  For those of you who have checked out Eric Stoller’s Blog and liked it, he’s looking for your vote so he can be added to the network.