First-generation leaders of online learning at their institutions converse with attendees about emerging leadership challenges and opportunities as the field confronts the future.
In 2013, a new book, Leading the E-Learning Transformation of Higher Education, provided perspectives on leading online learning innovations in American higher education. The book, written by a team of pioneers in the field, was hailed as “a must-ready for any college or university administrator or faculty member involved with online learning.” In this session, four of the book’s authors—all internationally recognized leaders in the field—will lead a conversation about emerging leadership issues and opportunities for innovation as online learning enters its second generation of innovation. Several of the panelists have also served as faculty for the Institute for Emerging Leaders in Online Learning (IELOL), offered by Penn State and OLC. The panelists are Lawrence Ragan, The Pennsylvania State University; Raymond Schroeder, University of Illinois-Springfield; Wayne Smutz, UCLA; and Karen Swan, University of Illinois-Springfield.
The session is designed for individuals who are current and emerging leaders of online learning at their institutions.
During the session, the panelists will each briefly highlight key factors that have affected their own leadership roles and will share their perspectives on several emerging leadership issues. The specific issues will be selected based on what is most important at the time of the conference, but topics may include items such as the increasing use of big data, new micro-credentials, and the movement of online learning into the academic mainstream. The majority of the session, however, will be a conversation with attendees about the leadership issues that attendees are facing at their home institutions.