Innovating Online Learning: Bursting Through Our Own Mental Models will identify the disconnect between current mental models for leading online learning and societal trends and values. Leadership theory will be applied as a means to innovate new mental models for leading online learning into the future.
Goals of the session are to:
• Map existing and potential mental models for online learning to current and future societal trends and values
• Align ambidextrous leadership theory with societal trends and values that are shaping the future of online learning
• Synthesize innovative action strategies to shape the future of online learning and break mental model boundaries
Each session goal will be addressed within a 25-minute segment that will include both a large group presentation and small group breakout activity. During the large group presentation, the two presenters will provide a conceptual overview of mental models, leadership theory, and their connection/relevance to innovative online learning. Not only is there a connection amongst these concepts, but it is our premise that current and future trends are expediting the changes necessary in online learning. This premise raises the question of "Are our current mental models keeping pace with societal trends and values?" During the three small group activities, participants will have a chance to discuss and add to both the theoretical and practical aspects of mental models, leadership theory, and innovative online learning.
A. Check-In Process (utilizing MIT's/Society for Organizational Learning process) whereas each participant will answer a series of questions engaging them immediately into the content of the session. This goes beyond a simple ice breaker, to focus on the content of the session almost immediately upon entering the session.
B. Session Overview including Session Objectives and Setting the Scene. This will quickly provide the context for what we are trying to accomplish in the session, what participants will attain in the session, and how they will be able to contribute to our collective learnings.
C. Mapping Mental Models for Online Learning to Societal Trends and Values
1. Presenters will map current and developing mental models for online education to both societal values (e.g., lifelong learning, social learning, unconditional learning, team learning) and trends (e.g., technological advancements, social networks, increasing speed and quantity of change, global economies, diverse demographics)
2. Small groups will develop and discuss a Mental Model Map for online learning which includes current and necessary mental models as applied to leading online learning.
D. Aligning Leadership Theory to the Future of Online Learning
1. Presenters will provide an overview of theoretical leadership frameworks aligned to the Mental Model Map for Online Learning. A case for ambidextrous leadership theory will be developed.
a. Gary Hammel (Future of Management/Leadership)
b. Kouzes & Posner (The Leadership Challenge)
c. Jim Collins (Good to Great)
d. Raisch & Birkinshaw (2009) Organizational Ambidexterity and Ambidextrous Leadership
e. DeGraff (2009) Competing Values and Ambidextrous Leadership
2. Small groups will further develop leadership alignment with the future of online learning. This pertains not only to leadership in general, but also leading online learning.
E. Synthesizing Action Strategies to Shape the Future of Online Learning
1. Innovative online learning strategies from Post University's award-winning online program (e.g., online faculty-student interactions, program themes, online student development, online faculty development, student feedback, online learning styles, online focus on the future) as well as broader applications (e.g., Partnerships, Business Institute, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies) and strategies from other innovative programs will be presented in leadership categories such as Institutional Leadership, Program Leadership, Design Leadership, Leading Faculty—Permanent and Adjunct, Leading Faculty Development, Leading Course Development. The connecting thread to all innovative strategies will be leading toward the future of online learning. This piece is a bit lengthy, but I think it probably all needs to be said.
2. Small groups will have the opportunity to add innovative participant strategies to the Online Leadership Application Template.
F. Debrief and Wrap-Up including one word check-out. Based on time left in the session, the check-out is meant to provide every participant with at least one last thought (and more if time permits) related to their own learning and/or insights from the session.
NOTE - In addition to the PowerPoint slide handout, participants will receive a Mental Model Map for Online Learning, and a Leadership Application Template that will include innovative strategies for bursting through mental models of online learning.
