Navigating the Innovation Curve: Purposeful Integration of Disruptive Technology

Audience Level: 
All
Session Time Slot(s): 
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Streamed: 
Onsite
Special Session: 
Leadership
Abstract: 

Change is constant. Higher education is seeing this play out with the acceleration of AI tools. For successful and sustainable change, it's crucial to cultivate an innovative mindset, remove barriers and fear of technology, and provide support. Join us to create plans for managing the innovation & integration of disruptive technology!  

Extended Abstract: 

In late 2022, ChatGPT made an entrance and took the Spring 2023 semester by storm. Since then, the pace of technological innovation has been accelerating, and higher education institutions are feeling the pressure to keep up. In order to remain competitive, institutions must be willing to adopt new technologies that can transform operations, improve student outcomes, and enhance the learning experience. However, implementing disruptive technologies can be challenging, as it requires a culture of innovation as well as a strong change management plan. A piece we always forget in change is to lean on our vendors and partners for support in this area as they have experience and resources to support higher education.

The innovation curve can be a helpful tool for understanding how new technologies are adopted. However, it is important to remember that the curve is not linear and there are multiple stages. Being on the front end of the curve takes cultivating an innovative mindset across a campus. When the calculator came out it shook the education world at the time, but it challenged math teachers to raise cognition with having access to a powerful tool within the classroom. Implementing disruptive technologies requires change management because change – like the calculator - can be disruptive, and it is important to help people to understand the benefits of the change and to support them through the transition.

There are a number of steps that institutions can take to successfully implement disruptive technologies. From building a case for the technology to creating buy-in from stakeholder, disruptive technologies must be purposefully integrated for  successful and sustainable use. We will share examples of a successful plan from APEI/GSUSA. Attendees will have time as we move through the presentation to create their own plans for managing the innovation curve to integrate disruptive technologies on their own campus. There will be interactive experiences throughout the presentation where we will share Microsoft AI solutions within the Azure OpenAI Services and CoPilot, and work together through a plan to integrate these technologies within our campuses. Be part of the movement on your campus to not just keep up with but stay ahead of disruptive technologies because you never know what is coming out next! 

Conference Session: 
Concurrent Session 7
Conference Track: 
Technology and Future Trends
Session Type: 
Education Session
Intended Audience: 
Administrators
Design Thinkers
Instructional Support
Training Professionals
Technologists