USDLA Represented at European Distance and E-Learning and Network – Genova, Italy
Blog written by USDLA Member:
Michael L. Mathews,
Oral Roberts University
2018 CIO 100 Winner and 2017 Top 30 Education Innovators
The United States Distance Learning Associate (USDLA) continued the strong relationship with the European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN) on June 17-20, 2018. The USDLA was represented by Oral Roberts University who was the 2017 USDLA Innovation of the Year Winner. Michael delivered a presentation called ‘The Flipped University’ which was a perfect fit for the conference theme: Exploring the Micro, Meso, and Macro — navigating between dimensions in the digital learning landscape. I was privileged to be accompanied by the video overview of USDLA by President Pat Castella.
The conference was well attended and represented people from all European countries and many from Brazil, South Africa, and Asia who believe that the European Network has much to offer in innovative methods in distance and E-learning. Being an attendee of both USDLA and EDEN was a perfect chance to see the various presentations and formats for both organizations. Both organizations operate at high impact, and desire to bring out the best in information, case studies, and collaboration. The EDEN conference was clearly focused on innovative methods between micro, meso, and macro delivery models.
The conference also included many sessions on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and other emerging technologies. The attendees were eager to learn which technologies may power the next big trend in distance learning. From my perspective, the last 10 years has produce so many options and possibilities that people are both fatigued and skeptical of solutions. It is clear that no one college, university, or corporate training can invest in so many technologies, at least in their fullest measure. Many leading universities have concluded that they will need to become extremely intelligent at choosing the crème de la crème of all technologies within a smart ecosystem. This approach would be a hybrid of Micro, Meso, and Macro learning in an innovative method. This method is known as micro-Innovating, and it integrates these diverse approaches for the benefit of all learners.
The EDEN presentation by the USDLA and Oral Roberts University was extremely well received and demonstrated how Augmented and Virtual Reality (AVR) has impacted students from 101 countries through ORU’s Global Learning Center, which operates in the micro, meso, and macro levels. The live demonstration of AVR was a huge success. In addition, the unveiling of the first AVR repository called the Virtual Reality Education System that integrates into any LMS gave hope to every attendee that AVR can be implemented at an affordable and micro-level that truly showcases what micro-innovation is all about. The design diagram below illustrates how a VRES system integrates with all systems, all AVR devices, and the future of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. In essence, the VRES is a design at all levels, micro, meso, and macro.
Summary: The plethora of possibilities to innovate and improve online and e-learning demand that campus technology designers micro-innovate ecosystems that span across micro, meso, and macro levels of delivery. This design mythology will allow sustainable and affordable solutions. These innovations will allow a repeatable deliverable like ORU has — which brings retention levels to 96%, placement to 97%, and expand from 85 countries to 101 countries with four years of consecutive growth in online learning.
It was a true blessing, honor and privilege to represent the USDLA and ORU at the EDEN conference. For information in another conference featuring emerging technologies through micro-innovations at Wheaton College with CIO Wendy Woodward, viist https://www.emergingtech-education.com/
The new micro-innovation of a Virtual Reality Education System
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