This is the last in a series of conversations over the past decade or so discussing the opportunities and challenges to teaching and learning in the digital age. The session will review topics broached ten years ago and their influence on current issues in the context of educational technologies.
In 2011, Patsy Moskal, Gardner Campbell, George Otte, Phil Long, and Chuck Dziuban conducted a session at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference titled “Four Questions You Shouldn’t Ask About Online Learning.” Over the next decade or so, that presentation resulted in additional discussions at professional meetings across the country and served as a foundation for several related scientific papers. Some of the topics under debate that centered around online learning included: access, quality, academic integrity, professional development, student readiness and engagement, technology issues, assessment, copyright and intellectual property rights, equity and the digital divide, cost, student ratings, statistical significance, and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and its relationship to higher education.
The engaging sessions often challenged participants, leading to the creation of multiple connections throughout the country. In this metaphoric farewell tour (two of the group are retiring or planting their flag as one member put it) we will facilitate a panel discussion with the audience examining how these historical questions are still very relevant to today’s world of online learning. The group will recount what they have learned, where they were right, and where they missed the mark. They will also look at how these insights impact current and future educational innovations and trends. This will be a call for someone to grab the baton and lead these discussions into the future.
As the landscape of education continues to evolve, online learning has continued to be a significant force driving educational transformation. This session brings together expert researchers, teachers, and leaders in online learning, each with over 20 years of experience in the field. This panel discussion aims to explore their collective insights, experiences, and research to provide an in-depth understanding of the potential of online learning and its continued impact on the future of education.
We will engage the audience through a combination of presentation and interactive discussion. Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable strategies for designing effective online learning experiences. The session will also facilitate networking and collaboration among attendees, encouraging the exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
Dziuban, C., & Moskal, P. (2017). Preparing faculty for high-quality online programs: Models and practices. Educause Review, 52(5), 14-26.
Otte, G., & Campbell, G. (2019). Virtual reality in online education: Exploring the possibilities. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Learning and Technology (pp. 123-135). Springer.
Moskal, P., & Dziuban, C. (2019). Using learning analytics to inform teaching and learning in higher education. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2019(183), 69-83. doi: 10.1002/ir.20293