Comments on: Barriers to change: Using technology to improve the cost-effectiveness of the academy: Part 3 http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/10/26/barriers-to-change-using-technology-to-improve-the-cost-effectiveness-of-the-academy-part-3/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:11:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: So: is e-learning really failing in higher education? An answer « Tony Bates http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/10/26/barriers-to-change-using-technology-to-improve-the-cost-effectiveness-of-the-academy-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-19902 So: is e-learning really failing in higher education? An answer « Tony Bates Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:40:45 +0000 http://www.tonybates.ca/?p=2534#comment-19902 [...] Using technology to improve the cost-effectiveness of the academy: Part 3 (barriers to change) Posted October 26, 2009 [...] [...] Using technology to improve the cost-effectiveness of the academy: Part 3 (barriers to change) Posted October 26, 2009 [...]

]]> By: Tony http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/10/26/barriers-to-change-using-technology-to-improve-the-cost-effectiveness-of-the-academy-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-18999 Tony Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:07:16 +0000 http://www.tonybates.ca/?p=2534#comment-18999 Hi, Kelly. I completely agree that we want to preserve the core mission of the university. I just want to see it accomplished more effectively and more efficiently. However, while technology can facilitate non-vocational/professional learning and development, and certainly helps in creating new knowledge and more particularly in disseminating it, I still believe it's main contribution will be toward developing skills of knowledge workers, because they need to know how to use technology in their work - although we all need to know how to use technology well in everyday life as well. Thanks again for making an important contribution Hi, Kelly.
I completely agree that we want to preserve the core mission of the university. I just want to see it accomplished more effectively and more efficiently.
However, while technology can facilitate non-vocational/professional learning and development, and certainly helps in creating new knowledge and more particularly in disseminating it, I still believe it’s main contribution will be toward developing skills of knowledge workers, because they need to know how to use technology in their work – although we all need to know how to use technology well in everyday life as well.

Thanks again for making an important contribution

]]> By: Kelly Edmonds http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/10/26/barriers-to-change-using-technology-to-improve-the-cost-effectiveness-of-the-academy-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-18921 Kelly Edmonds Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:10:19 +0000 http://www.tonybates.ca/?p=2534#comment-18921 Tony, I am enjoying your posts on this subject, which is one I am study as well. I agree with your account of the structural and organizational barriers in traditional higher education institutions. It impedes progress at times and is putting these institutions behind in the reach for better access, increased student experience, and effective use of technology. However, I would be cautious not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and continue to maintain the wonderful and important aspects of universities, such as their commitment to discovery, the search for truth (?), educating citizens, etc. I am concerned if we can maintain such ideals in an educational system that might be learning towards consumerism - i.e. building what students need and I suspect they need employment. Thoughts? Tony, I am enjoying your posts on this subject, which is one I am study as well. I agree with your account of the structural and organizational barriers in traditional higher education institutions. It impedes progress at times and is putting these institutions behind in the reach for better access, increased student experience, and effective use of technology.

However, I would be cautious not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and continue to maintain the wonderful and important aspects of universities, such as their commitment to discovery, the search for truth (?), educating citizens, etc. I am concerned if we can maintain such ideals in an educational system that might be learning towards consumerism – i.e. building what students need and I suspect they need employment. Thoughts?

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