This assignment will be done in groups of 4. The groups will be formed by the instructor and TA, making an effort to balance the skill of the teams. The assignment is due on Monday March 11 at 930am. It should be on the order of 2500 words and is worth 10 marks.
The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on how education in the future will be transformed due to the current move towards online delivery. Focusing on postsecondary education, begin with a description of the current state of online delivery: both the prevalence of this form of teaching and the methods that have been used, to date. Then reflect on what you feel should happen, for education in the future. Include both some suggestions of beneficial new directions and some discussion of possible concerns and cautions. Include specific recommendations in order for places of higher learning to move forward successfully from their current positions, for the future. Conclude with your final thoughts and views.
For various reasons, universities are currently mired in dramatic explorations of online delivery for various course and programs. While there have certainly been some valuable successes to date, it is important to pause to reflect on what learning will become for the postsecondary students of tomorrow. As individuals with a significant knowledge of the underlying technologies and an increased sensitivity to social implications, you are well positioned to offer some cogent advice before institutions move forward with their plans. As students who are currently experiencing postsecondary education, you are also well positioned to reflect on what the consequences might be (both positive and negative).
Organize the work within your group carefully. Each of the four main elements (current state; future benefits; future concerns; recommendations) should be treated to a suitable level of depth. While references are not mandatory (nor expected for some of the more forward-looking thought exercises), you will do well to ground your thinking in some of the current reality and for this, you should be citing references to make clear how it is that you know the current state of the world.