ABOUT THE DIGEST
The Digest aggregates eclectic coverage of news and innovations of interest to distance learning professionals and other higher education leaders. We strive to be inclusive of the interests of our diverse membership inclusive of community colleges and research universities and from the United States and Canada to Australia.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Learning on the Dawn of the Digital Horizon
Make no mistake, higher education is changing. It’s changing faster and more radically than it has in hundreds of, if not over a thousand, years. It’s not changing because institutions or accreditors have asked for it. It’s changing because students have demanded it. As the sun rises on the digital horizon, we must rethink how we maintain quality of service, instruction and credentials whilst meeting our students on their time and in their place. Alternative pathways, stackable credentials, intrinsic motivation, gameful design and even virtual and augmented reality are the new higher education.
Among our featured experts: Dr. Kevin Bell, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Digital Futures at Western Sydney University; Dr. Sherry Boyd, Faculty Humanities Coordinator at North Lake College; Martin Kurzweil, Educational Transformation Program at Ithaka S+R; Dr. Justin Louder, Associate Vice Provost for eLearning and Academic Partnerships at Texas Tech University and Russ Poulin, Director of Policy and Analysis at WCET
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FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Digest Publishing Change
Beginning next week the News Digest moves to publishing every other Friday.
NUTN Award Winner Dr. Kevin Bell Published by Johns Hopkins University Press
Former NUTN Advisory Board member and two-time NUTN award winner Dr. Kevin Bell has been published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Game On! Gamification, Gameful Design, and the Rise of the Gamer Educator
The changing student body in American higher education demands a new approach to teaching, one that moves toward inclusive, hyperpersonalized learning environments that have much in common with games and social media. Kevin Bell’s Game On! presents dynamic case studies of gamer educators and game-derived techniques to help instructors creatively formulate their own teaching strategies.
You can save 20% off the cover price by ordering directly from the publisher (https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/content/game) and using discount code HTWN.
Dr. Bell is a featured presenter at our February 2018 Colloquium in NYC. Additionally, the first 25 colloquium registrants will receive a free copy of the book.
WATER COOLER [POLITICS & POLICY]
Carpenter v United States: The US could be on the verge of dismantling digital privacy as we know it — Quartz
When Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Stuart Madnick teaches his class on the ethics of cybersecurity, he begins by polling his students on whether they highly value privacy. Year after year, the results are consistent: nearly all of his students agree. Then, he polls them on whether they highly value security. Again, he receives a near-unanimous affirmation. His third and final poll gets at the crux of his lesson: What happens if data privacy and security are pitted against one another? Which one becomes more important? Suddenly his students’ opinions scatter across the spectrum.
This tension between security and privacy is a perennial question for the US Supreme Court, and its latest incarnation comes in the form of Carpenter v. US, which the high court is hearing arguments on today (Nov. 29). The case, which hinges on whether the government needs a warrant based on probable cause to see your cell-phone location data, could have far-reaching implications on consumer privacy in the digital age. “The ruling is highly critical,” Brenda Sharton, a litigation partner and chair of law firm Goodwin’s privacy and cybersecurity group, told Quartz. “Each time the US Supreme Court opines on these matters, it’s highly relevant to what happens in your life.”
Study Uncovers How Ed Tech Decision-Making Works -- Campus Technology
Higher education people most often turn to each other when they're trying to make decisions about education technology. And it's not uncommon for them to start with a particular technology and then find a problem to solve, vs. identifying a pedagogical need and then looking for the tech tools that would address the challenges.
Colleges voice concern over planned net neutrality rollback
Last week the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission published his plan to dismantle Obama-era regulations protecting "net neutrality" -- the idea that all web content should be treated equally by internet service providers. Under the FCC proposal, due to be voted on Dec. 14 by the majority-Republican commission, ISPs would have the freedom to slow down or even block websites or online services that do not serve their commercial interests. They could also charge their customers a fee to prioritize the delivery of their content through the creation of internet “fast lanes.” Higher education groups have been united in their condemnation of the net neutrality rollback, which they say could make it more difficult for students and the public to access educational resources, and potentially impose huge costs on institutions. Jarret Cummings, director of policy and government relations at Educause, said the FCC proposal was concerning for higher education on “multiple levels” and would likely have a significant negative impact on higher education “and the internet as a whole.”
If You Care About Digital Privacy, You Need to Know About This Supreme Court Case
A string of armed robberies could be deeply connected to your digital privacy, and how easily the government can track you and your phone in the future. The reason is a case that's set to hit the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
It's called Carpenter v. United States. It concerns Timothy Carpenter, who was convicted of organizing and supplying guns for a number of robberies in the Midwest and sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. The thieves in those robberies targeted Radio Shack stores and other electronic outlets, and made off with sacks full of smartphones—somewhat ironically, since Carpenter's phone is at the heart of the case.
3 things for Congress to consider in HEA reauthorization | Education Dive
Monica Herck, the committee's vice president of education research, highlighted three of the recommendations in particular for Congress to consider. First, she echoed a proposal to establish Lifetime Learning Accounts, which would replace 529s and similar state-sponsored plans and serve as a singular destination for all grants, scholarships, student loans and family contributions to allow families to see all available funding in one place.
Second, Herck pointed out, student loan portfolios should be managed by the Department of the Treasury, not ED. "It's more in Treasury's DNA than it is in Education's DNA," she said, noting not only the sizable portfolio but the ability of the Treasury to potentially intervene and provide families with more information earlier in the process.
Defining the Factors that Affect (or Block) a Shift Away from the Status Quo | The EvoLLLution
Most organizations of higher education are painfully conservative, perhaps reflecting the conserving nature of university mission and life. Our experience has been that the dual objectives of predictable financial performance and positive institutional reputation, have significant impact on areas not well understood by principally lay boards of trustees and university councils, and non-technical chief executives. Information and communication technology (ICT) perhaps represents the quintessential fear- inducing aspect of enterprise functions, resulting in generally conservative approaches to expenditure and development. Paradoxically, ICT is also seen as an important source of efficiency and innovation, creating an ongoing tension between risk aversion and risk acceptance. The tension results in a continuing discussion about investment, performance, competitiveness and return on investment.
TEACHING & LEARNING
Institutions double down on 'cool classes' to attract new students, tackle current events | Education Dive
Since Benjamin Franklin opened the Publick Academy of Philadelphia in 1749 and gave the University of Pennsylvania its start as the first college in the colonies aimed at more than just training clergy, colleges have been shifting and changing to reflect the society their students will join.
Franklin saw the need to offer classes that trained young men in “practical skills” in business and commerce for their new territory and its growing economy — and probably offered them some understanding of journalism and political science, which were his pre-occupations and which he must have thought might come in handy over the next few decades.
How Online Can Save Small, Private Colleges from Going Under | EdSurge News
In the wake of a recent series of small-college closings, the takeaway for small private colleges is that their days may be numbered. Since these schools are largely dependent on student tuition in a time when demographic changes mean fewer available high school graduates, they might as well be on an endangered-species list. Some fifty have closed in the last decade alone, and three have closed in the past few weeks.
To staunch the bleeding, many small colleges have cut things to the bone or, alternatively, invested in country-club style improvements to appeal to students and their families—strategies that may have saved some. But this may only delay the impact of relentless market forces. Some observers aren’t as pessimistic, it should be said. “We continue to believe—and we think we’ve documented it pretty well—that most small colleges have the capability to be resilient in the face of these challenges,” said Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, in Inside Higher Ed. “There are a small number of colleges that are in very serious trouble,” he said. “But there are also a significant number of small colleges, 20 percent of them, that are just soaring. They’re doing very well.” But Moody's predicts that the number of small failing colleges and universities will triple in the coming years and mergers will double.
New Study Finds that Undergraduates Crave More Online Learning | eLearningInside News
There were no major surprises in Educause’s 2017 ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology. For four years running, the number of students preferring a blended learning environment that includes “some to mostly online components” has increased and those preferring a face-to-face only learning environment has continued to decline. The report did find, however, that tablets, which were gaining popularity a few years ago, are now on their way out as a device of preference. In 2017, 43,559 students from 124 institutions in 10 countries and 40 U.S. states participated in the ECAR survey. The findings were compiled from 35,760 survey responses from 110 U.S. institutions. While by no means the final word on campus-based technology, the annual survey is one of the most comprehensive surveys on educational technologies and offers valuable insights into trends and best practices.
Colleges should teach technology across the curriculum (essay)
The recent presidential executive order “Expanding Apprenticeships in America” and the proposed JOBS Act, which would amend the Higher Education Act, both look to solve the skills gap by increasing support for short-term training in current technology. Such training can provide some students with current technical skills. But according to a World Economic Forum report on employment trends across a wide range of industries, the competencies most needed for long-term employment are more foundational: critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity -- as well as digital fluency. To close the skills gap and provide long-term employability, we in higher education must continue to offer a broad-based education in which digital skills are not developed within a single set of courses, but rather throughout the entire curriculum and the wider array of co-curricular experiences.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Data, AI and Collaboration Top Higher Ed Tech Trends | EdTech Magazine
Ever-changing technology has presented university leaders with new ways to innovate and boost student experiences. Data can increase student success and retention while artificial intelligence can support the personalization of learning.
These trends may have popped up first at the most tech-savvy institutions, but they have since become popular across higher education.
EdTech caught up with Microsoft’s VP for worldwide education, Anthony Salcito, at EDUCAUSE 2017 to discuss these trends and how the tech giant’s tools can help colleges embrace them.
Elon Musks’ “3-Step” First Principles Thinking: How to Think and Solve Difficult Problems Like a…
By the age of 46 years old, Elon Musk has innovated and built three revolutionary multibillion dollar companies in completely different fields — Paypal (Financial Services), Tesla Motors (Automotive) and SpaceX (Aerospace). This list doesn’t even include Solar City (Energy), which he helped build and acquired for $2.6 Billion recently. At first glance, it’s easy to link his rapid success, ability to solve unsolvable problems and genius level creativity to his incredible work ethic. Musk himself stated that he worked approximately 100 hours a week for over 15 years and recently scaled down to 85 hours. Rumour also has it that he doesn’t even take lunch breaks, multitasking between eating, meetings and responding to emails all at the same time.
Creating a Space for Digital Media Innovation -- Campus Technology
If you have a high-tech center filled with all the latest development tools for interactive digital media, brilliant researchers and students, and expert faculty advisers, what can you achieve? Rochester Institute of Technology hopes to find out with MAGIC Spell Studios, a facility in the institution's Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction and Creativity (MAGIC) that is fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and regional economic growth, as well as supporting academic and research goals.
Here's how it works: A unique partnership between RIT, private industry and the state of New York is providing both advanced technology development resources and business expertise to help students, faculty and the regional developer community incubate and commercialize their digital media innovations. As a result, many successful entrepreneurs are poised to support a high-tech development corridor in the region and bring their experience and knowledge back to the university.
College teachers-in-training prep with virtual students| University Business Magazine
The University of Wyoming now uses an augmented reality platform with a simulated class as part of its teacher education program. To use the program, a teacher-in-training faces a camera and teaches a class of digital students that’s projected onto a screen. Offsite actors impersonate students with voices and digital puppeteering.
Presenting a lesson in front of the virtual students—each of whom has a unique personality and reacts to instruction in real time—gives teachers practical experience before ever stepping in front of a class and helps them to prevent mistakes from becoming habit. Other institutions offer similar immersive teaching environments.
Pursuing a Major Implementation and Improvement: Why Take the Plunge? (Part 1) | The EvoLLLution
Is your organization thinking of taking on a major business process improvement project? Are you wondering if it is worth the effort? Does this stack up against other priorities?
Ithaca College recently completed a multi-year project to implement an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution and to improve business processes. Do we think it was worth the effort? Absolutely! As with any major project, it had many challenges, but the end result was a major improvement to many business processes across campus that benefited students, faculty and staff.
Calif. legislators make cybersecurity education a top priority | University Business Magazine
No matter how you count, there’s a major shortage of cybersecurity workers in California. There are some 40,000 unfilled positions across the state, and that number is growing every day. California’s higher education system is poised to meet that need through its 114 community colleges, 23 CSU campuses and 10 UC campuses. With so many players involved, communication and collaboration are key to making meaningful progress. Those conversations are already happening throughout the state and recently received the support of the California State Assembly.
NUT'N BUT FUN
Big Government Forbids Flat Earth Rocket Man's Ridiculous Flight
"Mad" Mike Hughes is a limo driver turned daredevil who wants to build his own rocket and launch himself into space to prove to the entire globe that the world is flat after all. There’s one problem with his plan: Big Government regulations are conspiring to keep him grounded for good.
A space rocket is a pretty tough thing to build, so Hughes is starting with a simpler goal: a smaller rocket that’ll send him a mile across the ground and more than a thousand feet into the air. This probably won’t be high enough to prove the Earth is flat, but hey, we all have to start somewhere.
Because of the Bureau of Land Management, however, Hughes might not be able to launch at all. The plan was to launch the rocket in the town of Amboy, Calif., but the BLM forbade him from launching on public lands. Hughes said he’s found private property in the area to launch from and could reschedule the launch to as early as next week.
SOCIAL [&] MEDIA
Universities Mine Twitter to Troubleshoot Tech, Support Students | EdTech Magazine
Twitter is often stigmatized as a haven for internet trolls and fake news. But with 21 percent of U.S. adults on Twitter, the social media platform can be a great tool for university outreach and customer service. Monitoring tweets about university services can act as an early warning sign of problems that will soon need to be addressed. At the University of Georgia, a large number of mean tweets about the state of the campus Wi-Fi actually prompted the university to roll out an infrastructure upgrade, Campus Technology reports. Arizona State University, which recently launched a truly innovative 24/7 year-round help desk, regularly monitors tweets that mention “ASU” and “Wi-Fi” to quickly connect students with IT support.
edtechmagazine.com10 Twitter accounts every higher ed leader should follow | Education Dive
To stay ahead, higher education leaders must constantly be aware of the latest trends and policies taking over the industry — and social media is often the perfect place to find this. Everything from general tips on improving an institution's online presence to getting inspiration for innovation on the campus.
Here we present ten twitter accounts all higher education leaders ought to follow, so that fresh ideas and quick industry news will rise to the top of their feeds.
educationdive.com