Dr. Bill Rankin - Harvard User Conference Keynote

Dr. William Rankin - Associate Professor of English and Director of
Educational Innovation, Abilene Christian University

Almost six centuries ago, when Gutenberg's press became the first technology to allow for the mass distribution of information, the world saw an explosion of creativity. Educational, political, and religious institutions that had calcified over centuries were radically transformed as those who had once been excluded found new opportunities to participate. The resulting educational and cultural transformation unleashed the waves of invention that created the modern world. Unfortunately, the mechanisms are going rusty again, and new generations are finding themselves locked out, with little opportunity to explore, engage, or participate. Yet propelled by next-phase mobile technologies, new kinds of engagement are promising to reenergize the system, offering a revolution in education and culture just as important—and just as extensive—as Gutenberg's. Tracing through a history of teaching and learning, Bill Rankin will examine the challenges and opportunities facing us as we enter the next information age and will offer some perspective on how educational institutions should respond.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Turning Technologies
• User Conference
• Harvard
• Keynote
• Clickers
• Teaching
• Engagement