Systemic Changes in Higher Education

Authors

  • George Siemens Athabasca University
  • Kathleen Matheos University of Manitoba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37119/ojs2010.v16i1.42

Abstract

A power shift is occurring in higher education, driven by two trends: (a) the increased freedom of learners to access, create, and re-create content; and (b) the opportunity for learners to interact with each other outside of a mediating agent. Information access and dialogue, previously under control of the educator, can now be readily fulfilled by learners. When the essential mandate of universities is buffeted by global, social/political, technological, and educational change pressures, questions about the future of universities become prominent. The integrated university faces numerous challenges, including a decoupling of research and teaching functions. Do we still need physical classrooms? Are courses effective when information is fluid across disciplines and subject to continual changes? What value does a university provide society when educational resources and processes are open and transparent?

Keywords: higher education; freedom of learners; open access; online learning

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Published

2012-12-10

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2010): Spring 2010 Special Issue, Part 2: [Technology and Social Media] in education

Section

Articles

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