In unit two of my LRNT 524 course, we are discussing and reading about innovation and how it affects the way people learn from and with technology. In a Collaborate session with my instructor this week, eight different definitions of innovation were shared. Some common threads throughout those definitions are that innovation should be relevant, new, useful, and value adding (Carter, 2019). Dron (2014) discusses how innovation has and will continue to affect changes in distance learning. He highlights how changes have come about in the past and what may come about in the future. When speaking of the future he predicts “The merging of physical and virtual spaces through ubiquitous computing, where devices are embedded in our surroundings in ever-greater densities, from shirt buttons to furniture, from intelligent cloth to smart dust, will open vistas of opportunity and threat” (Dron, 2014, p.260). This has got me wondering in distance education in the near future, or even more specifically in the MALAT program at Royal Roads University, what innovation might we see next and will the benefits outweigh the threats?
References:
Carter, D. (2019, December 11). Collaborate Ultra class Recording_37 . Retrieved from
https://ca.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/playback/load/5dfbe3c6a5b2453b8537feaf5df78990
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 15, 2019 at 10:00 am
Hi Susan,
One of the things that Dron (2014) has also eluded is the slow evolution of technologies in the 19th and 20th century and then, a shift happened where the emergence and the ubiquity of ICTs have allowed the proliferation of the digital tools in the education settings. I share your sentiment about the future of education and the impact of innovative technologies in the learning environment. There are definitely great opportunities ahead of us and at the same time, challenges. It is up to us, educators and facilitators of change to steer the future of learning in the direction that is meaningful and valuable to learners. As innovation is about value, scalability, and usefulness.
January 16, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Hi Susan,
When we think of innovation and technology within education, there can be a lot of uncertainty how things can change. With great opportunities, there are also new challenges that we must face.
As this course has progressed and I look back on our discussions on empathetic design, innovation, and risk taking, I see that there is so much value in open dialogue and collaboration. As times and trends change, keeping discussion channels open and inclusive can be the key to navigating through uncertainties of the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Cheers,
Eunice