This document summarizes a presentation on the future of information technology in higher education. It discusses how learning environments will evolve to include virtual, place-based, and mobile modalities. It also addresses how institutions can engage creative students by providing structures and tools to support knowledge creation. The classroom of the future will focus on active and collaborative learning through flexible classroom designs. Pedagogy will explore competency-based, game-based, and problem-based learning strategies to better engage and prepare students. Emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and voice recognition will enhance the learning experience if made accessible and easy to use. Funding, preparation, and accessibility remain challenges to addressing these opportunities.

1. Christopher Higgins
Formerly Executive Director, Academic and Scholarly Technology
Services at The University of Chicago
Guest Speaker
What will education look like in 2020, and how will
information technology evolve to meet the needs of the
students, faculty and administration?
EdTalks: The Future of IT in Higher Education
Anjli Jain
Chairman of Campus Consortium
Hosted By

2. Transforming the learning environment
This will look at the various common and uncommon environments for learning that are in
use today. The concept of place and synchronicity are key but an added aspect is modality.
It will include a discussion of future trends in each of the spaces.
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Virtual - Learning Management Systems/Virtual Learning Environments,
MOOCs, Video environments
Place-based - Classrooms, labs, libraries, field work, makerspaces
Mobile - smart phones, tablets, wearable technology

3. Engaging in creative
knowledge building
Understanding the students that are coming into
our institutions is critical to creating meaningful
learning experiences. In a world of fast paced
change, our young people are adaptable,
flexible, and creative. They are a driving force for
innovation in most areas of life
 Students as creators - Artists, engineers,
entrepreneurs, writers
 Structure for creativity - Strategies for
creative learning, tools and environments to
support knowledge creation
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4. The classroom of the future
Traditional classrooms still dominate our institutions. We are
modifying those environments to allow for learning to be more
student-centered and collaborative. Scale up, TEAL, TILE, etc. are
various attempts to allow the learner to be the center of an engaged
learning experience. Instructor development and preparation is critical
to utilizing these spaces effectively.
 Flexibility and adaptability - Seminars to learning circles, lecture
halls transform to work groups
 Active learning environments - round tables, small groups,
whiteboards, monitors
 What does active learning mean to you? - Poll Question
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5. Pedagogy in a technology
diverse world
To meet the changing needs of our students, we
continue to explore new ideas and strategies that both
engage the student in the learning process
and prepare them for the next stage of life.
 Competency based learning - A focus on mastery
rather than grades and seat time
 Game based learning - Creating engagement
strategies vis personal achievement and competition
with peers.
 Problem based learning - Challenging learners via real
world problems and simulations
 What are other strategies? Poll Question
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6. Technologies to look for
Technology is a tool to support learning. There are a number of technologies here and
on the horizon that can enhance, challenge, and transform the current learning
experiences and environments. To be successful, these technologies must be simple
to use, and easily accessible.
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Virtual Reality
Augmented
Reality
Kinetic and
haptic interactions
Voice
recognition
What are others?
- Poll Question

7. Challenges
While it is fun and relatively easy to speculate on
the future based on technological advances, it is
important to consider the challenges and
obstacles.
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Funding &
Infrastructure
Buy-in &
preparation
Accessibility
What are others?
- Poll Question

8. Questions and Answers
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WHO ?
WHAT ?
WHERE ?
WHEN ?
WHY ?
H0W ?

9. Thank You For Participating
EdTalks The Future of IT in Education
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