2018 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration + Roundtable
Connect with organizations and individuals leading innovation in these hand-selected sessions.
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
U.S. News Best Online Programs Rankings: Review and Discussion of an Evolving System
Location: Georgetown East
In this session, learn about the factors which contribute to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs, the annual modifications to the report’s methodology, and potential future developments. Attendees can expect to have a better understanding of what factors contribute to their rankings, better knowledge of how to prepare for upcoming data collection, and the opportunity to provide feedback directly to U.S. News.
Moderator: Julie Uranis, UPCEA
Creating Learner Opportunities – Digital Credentials as a Tool for Collaboration with Industry
Location: Georgetown East
Badges standard helps employers and institutions embrace the interoperability of badges by creating a common credential holding valuable data about the learners' achievements. Digital credentials in Open Badges bridge the divide between workplace learning and postsecondary degrees – leading to partnerships and collaborations that were previously difficult to navigate.
Join experts in this movement who will discuss Open Badges and provide examples from the University System of Maryland and Madison Area Technical College as well as Northeastern University’s innovative collaboration using IBM Digital Badges. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of digital credentials, Open Badges and ideas on how they can begin this work at their institution – leading to better partnerships between institutions and industry stakeholders.
Moderator: Mark Leuba, IMS Global
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
How Universities Learn: Innovation as a Strategic Focus and Catalyst for Change
Location: Jefferson East
This session will feature new and ongoing research for an upcoming book titled, "How Universities Learn". The book’s central tenet is that learning innovation has emerged as a strategic focus at many colleges and universities in recent years. Like many leaders, the authors are attempting to make sense of why this focus on learning innovation has emerged and what it may mean for both individual institutions and the larger postsecondary sector. In the session the authors will present early research findings, and then challenge participants to consider organizational change and learning innovation occurring at their institutions.
Moderator: Carin Nuernberg, Berklee College of Music
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Blockchain in Higher Education: From Hype to Implementation
Location: Georgetown East
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has partnered with Learning Machine to set a path for learners to receive recognition for their skills and achievements through digital credentials. Using Blockchain technology, SNHU has a long-term vision for technology that provides secure documentation of learner achievements searchable by employers needing qualified candidates. Leaders from Learning Machine and SNHU will share why institutions should consider this technology, the path they are taking through implementation, and early results on user experiences. If you have been looking for a practical example of the use of Blockchain in higher education you won’t want to miss this session!
Moderator: David Soo, Department of Education
CHLOE2: A Deeper Dive and Discussion Among Online Leaders
Location: Georgetown East
QM and Eduventures have teamed up to conduct a multi-year study, The Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE), to examine institutions' online learning strategies, structures and policies. As online learning continues to mainstream, it is important to think through operational implications and opportunities. Online leaders can use the results of this work to place their institution within a broader context and help direct and influence strategic decisions and organizational changes.
Presenters Richard Garrett and Deb Adair will share some of the insights gained from the 2018 CHLOE2 report and engage online leaders in a discussion of their online initiatives, strategic direction, and the broader institutional impact of online learning.
Moderator: Asim Ali, Auburn University
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM
Making Digital Learning Work
Location: Georgetown East
Despite the promise that digital learning can expand access, improve outcomes, and decrease costs, institutional data on the impact of digital programs is limited. With support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Arizona State University and the Boston Consulting Group released “Making Digital Learning Work,” a study of six institutions with the goal of understanding and quantifying the impact of digital learning on institutional priorities (e.g., enrollment growth, student outcomes, financial returns). The report highlights pioneering efforts in innovating to expand access to postsecondary education, improve student outcomes, and provide higher education at an affordable cost. In this session, Lou Pugliese – director of ASU’s EdPlus Action Lab and a co-author of the report – will share the insights that led to these conclusions and share best practices and lessons learned from ASU’s research.
Moderator: Paul Fain, Inside Higher Education