The Connected Age and the 2014 Horizon Report.

Abstract

New Media Consortium Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition (Johnson, Adams Becker, Estrada, & Freeman, 2014) identifies trends and challenges in adoption of technologies in higher educa- tion. Trends are described as key trends to accelerate higher education technology adoption and are classified as fast (one to two years), mid- range (three to five years), and long-term (five years or more). Challenges are presented as those impeding adoption of technologies according to our level of understanding and whether or not solutions can be found.The conteXt of connected aGeBefore we move to results of 2014 Report, let's place these results in context of Connected Age (Skiba, 2014), being connected to everyone and everything (Smith, 2013). As Oblinger (2013, p. 4) states, Interconnections are linked and tagged, tweeted and texted, followed and friended.Two concepts that help define Connected Age are connected learning and connected learning environment. My trusted resource, 7 Things You Should Know (http://www.educause.edu/library/ resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-connected-learning), describes connected learning as highly connected ecosystem of tech- nologies that support sharing, collaboration, and global links to special- ists and students in every area of endeavor that focuses integration, enabling all participants in higher education to assemble components in unique ways to construct pathways needed to accomplish educa- tional goals.There are several ways to describe how connected learning works. For example, students can connect to resources, people, and ideas to accomplish their learning goals. example is provided by 7 Things You Should Know: An instructor might support a connected learner by providing a variety of content choices and identifying items that can help build a customized path through subject matter.Connected learning will reshape both traditional and professional education by putting learners at center with learners, rather than institution, defining their own learning pathways. In essence, con- nected learning will dramatically change teaching-learning process. And, as faculty, we will need to revisit our roles and how we prepare our courses using various connected technologies. Educause blog- ger Joanne Dehoney (2013) notes, Teaching is about connecting. All instruction, from a tutorial conducted in an Oxford don's sitting room to a MOOC offered to 100,000 students revolves around core con- nection of expert to novice.Masie (2012) also makes a distinction between e-learning (often connotes delivery of information in a sequential, linear fashion) and the connected learning environment (integrative, personalized, interconnected, and authentic). Smith (2013) states that in con- nected learning environment, The connections magnify reach and value of not just information but also our relationships, creating oppor- tunities for learning, working, and collaborating on an unprecedented scale. Smith identifies three hallmark characteristics of a connected learning environment:* Seamless integration with planning and advising services helps students connect each course with long-term goals and a plan for success.* Personalized learning helps students connect with optimal opportunities to progress.* Engaged and authentic learning experiences help connect learn- ers to scholars and researchers, to workplace and industry, to local communities, and to global challenges.FoRces InfLuencInG adoptIonLet's examine results of 2014 Horizon Report within context of Connected Age. Six key trends will serve as driving forces influ- encing adoption of technologies in higher education.Fast, 1 to 2 Years* increase in use of social media by all age groups is widely reported. As noted in report (Johnson et al. …