Introducing a New Series in Higher Education

The Transformation Imperative: reframing the university is an exciting series of events that explores disparate perspectives on the future of universities as we enter a phase of significant disruption in higher education.  It will examine emerging frameworks for delivering education in the 21^st century by bringing to campus leading change agents who are driving innovation in and beyond academia.

It is also celebrates academic innovation at Philadelphia University embodied by the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, and the opening of its new home, the DEC Center.

There will be four exciting events at Philadelphia University this spring in The Transformation Imperative series, so mark your calendars. 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - Launch of The Transformation Imperative with Roger Martin

On the evening of January 9, 2013, Roger Martin, bestselling author and dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, will be interviewed and discuss transformation in higher education. To read about Roger Martin, click here. 

Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: DEC Center Forum, Philadelphia University

You can view the video of the interview here.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - Could alternative forms of credentialing transform the college degree? Badges in Higher Education

Speakers: 
Kevin Carey, Director of Education Policy Program, New America Foundation
Emily Goligoski, Design and Community Manager, Mozilla Open Badge System
Joanna Normoyle, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Agricultural Sustainability Institute, University of California - Davis
Kyle Bowen, Director of Informatics, Purdue University

Panel discussion moderated by Provost Randy Swearer
Time: 12:20-2:15 p.m.
Location: Kanbar Performance Space

Thursday & Friday, February 21 & 22, 2013 - How could disruptive models for course delivery transform higher education? Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Speakers:
Alan Filreis, Director of the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing, University of Pennsylvania
George Siemens, Researcher and Strategist, Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute, Athabasca University
Stephen Downes, Senior Researcher, Canada's National Research Council
Rebecca Griffiths, Program Director of Online Learning, Ithaka S+R

Thursday, February 21, 5-6.30pm, DEC Center Forum
Alan Filreis, Director, Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing, University of Pennsylvania 
Rebecca Griffiths, Program Director of Online Learning, Ithaka S+R 
RSVP for the Thursday discussion on MOOCs.

Alan Filreis and Rebecca Griffiths will anchor the first event about Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) by defining a MOOC, describing the process of teaching a MOOC, and reviewing performance and effectiveness of current MOOC models. Al Filreis will provide insights from his experiences preparing and teaching a poetry course in a MOOC format for Coursera, and Rebecca Griffiths will describe her research to evaluate the impact of interactive online learning environments, such as MOOCs, on student learning outcomes and cost reduction. She will also provide case studies of the ways faculty are integrating MOOCs into their traditional teaching at the University of Maryland.
 
Friday, February 22, 12-1.30pm, DEC Center Forum
Stephen Downes, Senior Researcher, Canada's National Research Council
George Siemens, Researcher and Strategist, Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute, Athabasca University
RSVP for the Friday discussion on MOOCs.

Stephen Downes and George Siemens, the pioneer faculty who co-taught the first MOOC in 2008, will share their thoughts on the future of technology and the University and where MOOCs may be going. Specifically, they will discuss new pedagogies and the emerging role of the educator within interactive, connective learning environments. They will also explore the impacts of technology on the traditional university model and the new opportunities for innovation with technology in higher education. Lunch will be provided.

Wednesday & Thursday March 20 & 21, 2013 - How could social networks reframe the relationships between students and the university? New Forms of Knowledge Sharing

Speakers:
Banny Banerjee, Director of Stanford ChangeLabs, Stanford University
Robin Chase, Founder and CEO of Zipcar and Buzzcar
Dale Stephens, Founder of Uncollege
Representative, Occupy University, part of the Occupy Wall Street movement
Aaron Stoller, Assistant Director of the University Honors Program, North Carolina State University

Visit this website for information on the various events and registration.