Transforming Learning, Training and the College

Stephen Murgatroyd, PhD FBPsS FRSAChief Innovation Officer, Contact North | Contact Nord

“Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future”

Niels Bohr

“The future will be better tomorrow..”Dan Quayle

“The future is here. It just isn’t widely distributed yet..”

William Gibson

SETTING THE CONTEXTBefore we get going…

This of The Age of Disruption

The Six Big Disruptions

• Economic Disruption– Decline of the US as an economic superpower and the emergence of the

BRIC’s economies– The great recession and the jobless recovery– Mergers and Acquisitions– Low productivity in Canada Falling competiveness– Decline of traditional industry and emergence of new..

• Political Disruption– Terrorism– Power relationships – China, India, US and EU versus Others (e.g.

Copenhagen COP15)– Federal – Provincial Relations (e.g. health care)– Cause driven movements – anti HST, Tea Party (US) – new democracy

• Social Disruption– Decline of democracy as a form of governance– Globalization and social networks

• Demographic Disruptions– Low level of birth replacement for many northern

countries– High level of birth for aboriginal peoples, India, Asia– Challenges for literacy and numeracy– Global war for talent

• Environmental Disruption– Climate change– Water as a challenge – Eau Canada– Energy and stewardship– Natural resource economies and environmental concerns

• The Disruption of Personal Identity– Blurring the line between connection and

connectivity – marriage, family, community– Shifting identities in the workplace – the

multigenerational workplace

Some Implications We are preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist in industries that are just emerging in economies that are

changing in a global war for talent

Demand for Skills….Where the skills required are very different from

the skills we now focus on…

and

• Productivity and competitiveness are imperatives – its all about the economy

• Money will become increasingly scarce –– lean will be key

• Time is the new frontier for innovation – 2 year degrees (UK), 3,5,6,and 8 week courses based on outcomes (Kentucky), self-paced (Athabasca).

Drivers for New DevelopmentsWhat YOU Need to be Able to Say

• We’re “glocal”– global organizations offering local connectivity

• We’re partners – with business, community and non profits

• We’re technological savvy – connected, engaged and wired to the world

• We’re effective and efficient – more learning in less time

• We’re affordable – you cant afford not to be here

Learning …and where expectation of learning are very different from those we

now prescribe..

Technology, Real Learning and the Future

What are emerging technologies?

think digital devices

think of a range DEVICES

devices are getting smaller

and are increasingly disruptive

think APPS

think SOCIAL NETWORKS

think intelligent WEB

think DIGITAL TEXTBOOK…

Think New Skillsabout 20-20 learners

Skills for the 21st Century

embrace digital toolsthink MOBILE LEARNING using smart devices

Mobile Learning

• Anytime, anywhere engagement

• Video, audio, text and group work through handheld devices (iPad, Smart-Phone) – growing volume of smart “apps” to enable learning

• Strong focus on trades

constantlyconnected

highly personalized experiences

producers+

consumers

prosumers

break down classroom walls

The Implications

more project based work, less instruction

more PEER TO PEER learning – less instruction

more OUTCOME based learning – less focus on process & time…

Kentucky College and Technical System (KCTS)

• Courses based on outcomes, not time– 3, 5,6 and 8 week courses– Online plus some experiential sessions– Students start on any Monday for 48 weeks of the

year– All have individual mentors plus academic

coaching– Materials online partnered with Pearson– Digital textbooks

more WORK BASED learning credits and less classroom work

MoreTRANSFER CREDITSless colonialism

More ROUTES to Diplomas, Certificates & Degrees

Six Suggestions for New Learning

• More project based work, less instruction• More peer learning, less instruction• More outcome based learning, less focus on

process (especially time in class)• More work based learning credits and less

instructional credits• More transferable credits and less colonialism • More routes to Certificates, Degrees and

Diplomas – less the one lane highway..

A New Learning Environment(it’s actually a workspace at Google)

The New College

• Will have individual work spaces and some rooms for team work..

• Will have grand challenge based courses and programs

• Will have a requirement for peer, social and networked learning

• Will have few residency requirements• Will focus on outcomes not time• Will be wired to work, community and non profits

and..

• Will have very high levels of student engagement

• Very satisfied faculty who coach, guide and mentor and support learning

• Will be truly learning focused

• Will be nimble…

“the future isn’t what it used to be..”

Yogi Berra

stephen@contactnorth.ca(780) 993 7784