Destination Unknown

Our working hypothesis:

Tomorrow will be like today only more so.

Destination Unknown

Higher Education institutions:

Knowledge producersKnowledge synthesizersDistribution channels

with three functions:

EducationCertificationSocialization

Destination Unknown

Its a cliché to say that technology changes everything: the challenge is to figure what, how and how quickly.

Technology is most easily adopted in areas of maximum control e.g. business transactions

Companies come and go but educational institutions are remarkably robust.

Destination Unknown

Is technology good or evil?

The computer both reproduces, and transforms,existing power structures.

It is used by some to reinforce their position and by others to disrupt those in power.

The progressive substitution of labor for capital.

Destination Unknown

Customer has control (does the work) and enjoys it!

Vaudeville vs TV

Orchestra vs CD

Cinema vs DVDs?

Faces on credit cards … are clerks policemen?

Destination Unknown

Transforming the customer experience…

You drove up, someone else pumpedthe gas and supervised the transaction.

Then you pumped the gas but went tothe clerk to pay.

Now you pay at the pump

You are your own clerk … eBay, Amazon.

Destination Unknown

Dimensions to technology use in education:

•Level of interactivity•Synchronicity / Asynchronicity•Location dependence / independence

Is it support or replacement?

Technology works best when the mediator extracts too much cost e.g. Informal class questions are embarrassing

Destination Unknown

Changes in Higher Education:

increasing perceived value of “brand”, low cost providers who offer certification with the competitive advantage of either

scheduling or cost, high cost elite providers who add significant technological experiences into their standard educational offerings, rising student expectations for high quality media products, expensive competition in knowledge production for the “third leg of science”.

Destination Unknown

Some conclusions

Tomorrow is similar (but not identical) to today

Make sure you know what business you’re in

Know what your competitive advantage is

Don’t ever outsource your competitive advantage