Personal Blogs

• What are your personal thoughts on the relationship between technologies and      educational reform? (For example, is technology itself a cause of reform or an instrument used to encourage reform?)

Technology influences how the world works.  In each generation this may be different innovations or inventions such as cars, trains or communication tools.  For this most recent generation the development of the internet has increasing influence on how individuals and communities interact within each other and their expectation of how the world works for them. 

A key development is an expectation of 'on demand'.  This is true for TV viewing, banking, shopping so why should education by any different.  Learners want to be able to learn at a time and location that works for them.

There are often comments that education is behind the curve in terms of integrating technology.  I think much of this is due to the industries concern of equality and accessibility and a desire to offer quality and a pride in professionalism.  Couple that with lack of confidence in the industries own ability in technologies and it has all contributed to delays.  Often we learn from mistakes in terms of innovation and advancements, but I think the vast majority in education do not want to risk the learning opportunity of a few to learn for future provision which I can understand.  Each and every individual deserves a positive and rich learning experience and we are responsible for ensuring individuals do not have a negative experience that leads to a life-long disengagement with learning.  So how we trial and develop these innovations is a delicate balance of integration.

The recent global economic problems has resulted in cut funds and a competitive market that has acted as a force for sectors such as FE and WBL to review their provision and reduce their costs whilst maintaining and improving provision.  This has been promoted as technology 'enhancing' learning so an example of 'an instrument used to encourage reform'.  The emphasis is still on sound and strong teaching practice but with the use of technology.

Technology has therefore caused reform initially but now tools are being created specific for education that can encourage reform.  They recognise educators concerns of lack of technological skills and focus more on simple apps that rely on little tech knowledge and allow the teacher/tutor/lecturer to focus on the learning outcomes.

• What influence do you think the producers and developers of technologies and      services have on university decisions about introducing new technologies?

If producers and developers can show an awareness of the need of staff training and/or the development of intuitive tools that are user-friendly and allow for institutions to integrate into their provision then Universities are more likely to listen.  Universities still want character, personality and expression in their learning and this can still be achieved in an online world.  Universities still need to protect their image and brand and therefore producers and developers need to accommodate this.  Take for example Virtual Learning Platforms.  They have the ability to brand as the colleges/universities own. 

Other examples include Planet eStream that allow institutions to create their own 'You-tube' video platform.  Not necessarily engaged fully with the concept of open learning but an example that there has to be a range of products that meets the needs of institutions.  Some may fully engage with open education - others may want to maintain independence and develop own provision with less sharing.