Product Description
Taken from the “Preface” by Donald E. Hanna This book is being published at the dawn of a new millennium. The symbolic passage from one era to another invites speculation about the future and reflection about the past and its meaning for the future. “Higher Education in an Era of Digital Competition: Choices and Challenges” focuses upon critical knowledge and perspectives that will guide us in building a new system of higher education. The authors begin with… More >>
Higher Education in an Era of Digital Competition is a welcome contribution to understanding the turbulence and rapid change of the period we are in. Donald Hanna, the editor and principal author, has brought together an unusually qualified group of persons in the fields of educational technology and distance learning to comment on the developments and implications of these changes for organizations providing higher education, whether traditional non-profit institutions or new for-profit and corporate players.
Hanna himself synthesizes and brings clarity to the plethora of comment on the challenges facing higher education in the digital era and takes note of changing approaches in the classroom. He argues that, rather than leading to impersonality in learning, technology may enable study in smaller, more intimate groups than traditional, large scale lecture halls. In subsequent chapters, he and other authors discuss implications of distribution learning by technology, while reminding us that technology and distance delivery are the means to the goal of learning, not the end in itself. They consider issues of intellectual property, ethical practice and learner access, faculty roles, and institutional leadership, and they provide numerous case studies of current practice that illustrate future directions. In a final chapter, Hanna poses a series of trenchant questions that can frame leaders’ consideration of future directions for their organizations to take.
All in all, the book does an excellent job of capturing the ideas currently available on this dynamic topic and framing the issues so that readers can get their arms around them, rather than being overwhelmed by what often seems unfamiliar.
Rating: 5 / 5
Donald Hanna and his supporting authors have done a fine job illuminating some of the interesting aspects and issues of the growing technological world of higher ed. I enjoyed the organization of the book. It is a compilation of interesting essays on various topics, all of which are relevant to the online university.
I found Chapter 3-Advanced Technologies and Distributed Learning in Higher Education by Chis Dede to be facinating. This sort of vision and creativity to picture what is possible is essential in moving us forward into new and uncharted territory. Dede offers “vignettes” to illustrate creative uses of technology for distributed learning and visions of how technology may be used in the future. These sort of changes have the possibility to make substaintial changes to the higher education model.
Other chapters such as Chapter 8-Who Owns Knowledge in a Networked World? by John Tallman offer current practical knowledge. As a professional engaged in course development, it is valuable to become knowledgable regarding such issues. As questions and debates arise as to the equitable ownership and allocation of revenue from distance learning materials, it is important that faculty are well-versed in the applicable laws.
Chapters such as Chapter 10-Global Access to Learning: Gender, Poverty, and Race by Janet Poley address concerns of equity and ethics. It is essential that these conversations occur now during the development of digital learning. Some choices and decisions can not be undone. It’s important that each twist and turn in the growing path of distance education is subjected to thoughtful consideration. The potential benefit to everyone is great. But also the potential to further alienate certain populations exists. Only through careful consideration can the appropriate foundation be laid to benefit all.
Overall, this book addresses some facinating and pressing issues in the growing world of distance education. There are many facets to consider and various points of view. Hanna’s book is a great place to start the conversation.
Rating: 5 / 5
Hanna, with a group of fantastic authors, have put together this wonderful book that can guide us through the many choices, challenges and changes we face in the future of Higher Education.
This book is a valuable resource for faculty and administrators who are involved in redefining learning, policies, and practices. Each powerful chapter focuses upon these choices and challenges that will guide us in building a new system of higher education.
The authors goal in writing this book is apparent in every chapter as he “assists the reader in developing a more complete understanding of how teaching and learning, knowledge generation and preservation, organizational design and evalulation, and leadership can all function together within a changing and increasingly competitive external environment to produce a new responsiveness and diversity within higher education”. This, coupled with the information on advanced techologies for teaching and learning, makes this book one to read. It is a great book that will indeed enlighten you with the choices, challenges and changes necessary in Higher Education.
Rating: 5 / 5
Higher Education in an Era of Digital Competition: Choices and Challenges
By: Donald E. Hanna & Associates
Higher Education in and Era of Digital Competition did an excellent job of explaining the current atmosphere of higher education. Although long, 347 pages, this book is very well organized and covers a wide range of topics, including emerging organizational models, leadership, and redefining faculty policies and practices. The overt theme of the book is to relate advances in technology to their current and future impact on Institutes of Higher Education from the perspective of the institution, the faculty, and the students. Yet, the book is also valuable for those entrepreneurs looking for opportunities and ventures in higher education.
Dr. Hanna presents the idea that universities need to evaluate, analyze, and evolve their current practices to reflect the current educational environment. Dr. Hanna has done an excellent job bringing together experts, such as Dr. Chris Dede a nationally recognized leader in Distributed Learning Environments, to contribute thoughts, views, and opinions to this book. The contributing authors did an excellent job of interweaving five main themes through out the book to organize and clarify the current educational situation. Furthermore, Dr. Hanna concludes the book with his opinions on educational impact as well as his proposed challenges to university administrators, faculty, and students.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read related to technology in higher education. It surveys the entire field, looking at what is happening, analyzing it against sound educational theory and taking it to the future by asking the tough question of where will traditional higher education be if it doesn’t adapt to the new millennium.
Although it’s an easy book to read, it doesn’t lend itself well to a summary review. Each chapter is unique, touching on different issues related to technology and innovation, such as change, organizational structure, leadership, ethics, faculty policies and practices and instructional design. Any of these chapters can easily be a book in itself. But in the breath of topics covered resides the book’s greatest benefit, which is the ability to provide the reader with a “one-stop” understanding of the entire topic.
If you’re interested in going beyond a survey of the field and are committed to changing the status quo, this book will help you navigate the basics of bringing technology to the classroom, dealing with resistance and staying motivated as a change agent for the future. It’s most definitely a great book about a very important and timely topic.
Rating: 5 / 5