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McConnell MP1
EDT 6440
1/22/16
McConnell MP1
EDT 6440
the concern that new educational tools of this kind were turning classrooms into
gaming centers professional educators in the field were able to offer credible,
broad-based research that indicated otherwise (Franklin Jr., 2015). Another manner
in which objections to online learning environments are being addressed is by
embracing the advancements that allow for many people separated by hundreds or
thousands of miles, whether in the business arena or education, to confer, interact,
see and hear each other and fully participate in a classroom experience through
digital technology. These kinds of one-on-one, real-time technical advances could
be the catalyst for overcoming the commonly held notion that the online learning
environment cannot replicate the intimacy or effectiveness of a traditional
instructional environment.
In terms of my personal vision and how it has been informed by these same
readings, I believe that research fueled by the latest advanced technology as well
as applications and techniques that can be utilized to overcome instructor
objections to online learning opportunities will deeply impact my efforts as a
student and professional. Research is already the cornerstone of my academic and
professional work and as I move toward new career opportunities and my capstone
experience within my graduate program it will only become more important to my
goals. In the world of 21st century higher education not only accurate data, but
cutting-edge applications that allow one to both compile and interpret this data will
become indispensable. As trends in education evolve from traditional students
being the majority to contemporary student who are older, live off-campus, work,
and prefer online learning to previous modes and methods, research techniques and
applications must also swiftly evolve. Educational technology that can not only
radically improve compiling data but also serve as a means to offer new, different or
more effective interpretation of this data can only serve to shift the landscape of
higher education further and further away from the standard lecture hall. As the
modern student witnesses the addition of emerging research technologies as they
pursue their traditional academic goals, so too the administrators and designers of
these new applications will see them become more and more routinely called upon
to improve the effectiveness of their research. The key to this universities strategic
plan, particularly as it applies to student retention, is to better identify key
populations and demographics that could be better served or supported in the everchanging landscape of higher education. This effort would be futile, however,
without the most effective technology available to best curate and identify student
groups separated by common denominators such as age, gender and academic
background but also more vague indicators such as being potentially financially
disadvantaged or not receiving the proper support and encouragement after being
academically dismissed. It is these little indicators, often best tracked down by the
advanced applications of cutting edge research databases, that are informing the
broadest policy decisions and strategic planning of higher education right now.
Another facet of my personal vison that was informed heavily by our readings
was the concept of overcoming objections to online learning environments and
emerging educational technology. This is something that I have been acutely aware
of, not only from the time I started studying educational technology but as soon as I
1/22/16
McConnell MP1
EDT 6440
Bibliography
Franklin Jr., C. (2015). 4 Education Technology Trends To Watch. Information Week.
Skonnard, A. (2015). 5 Top Trends in Education Technology 2015. Inc.Edu.
Sobieski, A. (2015). Educational Technology, Business and Community Scenarios.
W3C Community and Business Groups.