http://www.gudstory.com/8-most-weird-yet-unique-places-around-the-world/
As part of Unit 2 of our course, LRNT524 – Innovation, Design and Learning Environments, this week we were assigned to read Innovation and Change: Changing how we Change (Dron, 2014). I really enjoyed reading about innovation and change, since I have been involved in many circles of changes in regards to technology in the last 15 years, in different post-secondary intuitions. I could see firsthand how resistant people can be to change, students and staff alike. I found one part of this reading thought-provoking in particular and that is when the writer compared change to a rippling tide.
Change is inevitable when dealing with technology; therefore change is a big part of online learning since online learning is connected to technology in every aspect. As stated by Dron (2014), online education is endorsed by technology in all phases from design to delivery. He compares the change to a swelling tide which will fill in the holes unevenly. This is the very interesting way of explaining the change when it comes to technology. If we look at the national level of technology use, we can see how uneven it is. There are places even in Canada where having WIFI at home is not a normal thing, compared to being connected at all times through our smartphones. Based on this aspect, the change will have undeniably different effects on distance learning, based on the level of access our potential students will have.
To have a successful and smooth change process when it comes to technology, it is important to consider that the process needs to be flexible and adaptable based on the different level of access and availability of technology.
References:
Dron, J. (2014). Innovation and Change: Changing how we Change. In Zawacki-Richter, O. & T. Anderson (Eds.), Online distance education: Towards a research agenda. Athabasca, AB: AU Press.
December 17, 2017 at 5:47 am
Hi May!
It is interesting seeing the different things other students pick up on in the readings. Dron (2014) used a lot of metaphors and the ones that stuck with me were the sheltered flower metaphor and the finches/evolution metaphor. I think this aspect of his writing, how he creates a rich visual for you to relate to, is particularly interesting given our upcoming assignment. I think within the case study this is also what Deb and Susan are trying to get us to do.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Lorri
December 17, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Hi May,
Based on my own observations, I’ve found that when it comes to technology change that there’s a big difference between replacing technology as opposed to providing a new technology that people didn’t have before. When you switch technologies there will always be people who complain about aspects of the prior technology that they liked better, but when you give people a new technology that is not replacing something they are more likely to be happy with it.
I visited Thor’s Well in Oregon this summer, where your image was taken 🙂
-Jason