DEPM 622: The Business of Education & E-learningReflections from Modules 1-4
Learning Journal Module 1: Forbes (2017) article The Top 10 Business Trends That Will Drive Success In 2018 predicted that more organizations will lean towards social learning. I’ve decided that I will follow this trend for my learning journal for my journal. Also, since my business idea is about my sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Zeta) social learning is definitely more appropriate. Zeta is a social and professional organization. The learners are heavily influenced with the social aspects of learning. Ertmer & Newby (2013) mentioned how communities of practice (COPs) are teaching methods that are being used especially to communicate and interact globally with diverse backgrounds. The article briefly summarizes how successful online learning programs include social-learning to promote autonomy and self-direction and increases overall learner engagement (Forbes, 2017). This can be done by sharing experiences via learning that extends past the course curriculum. Ertmer, P. A. and Newby, T. J. (2013). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 26 (2), 43-71. Forbes. 2017. The Top 10 Business Trends That Will Drive Success In 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianaltman/2017/12/05/the-top-business-trends-that-will-drive-success-in-2018/#6c617377701a Review of Module 1 Objectives In completing Module 1, I was successfully able to identify what products/services you will offer, who are the key stakeholders, who is the customer and why is my product needed. I was able to do this successfully because I am a customer and a stakeholder. This module gave me more insight into how business and education can work together. Learning Journal Module 2: As we reach the end of Module 2, please take a moment to complete the following within your reflective learning journal: As indicated in the review of Module 1, I am following the business trend of social learning, which was reported as one of the top ten business trends by Forbes magazine. I found an online marketing report briefing announcement on Business Wire, who is a global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure (Business Wire, 2018). Also it is owned by Warren Buffet, the financial investment guru. The report covers the global IT training market from 2018-2022. The briefing highlights how some organizations have begun to embrace informal and social learning platforms to teach IT. Even though these learning approaches are new, organizations recognize that learning also takes place outside the classroom. Because of this, it will lead to new IT learning platforms. References: Business Wire. 2018. Global IT Training Market - Latest Developments by Technavio. Retrieved from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180308006150/en/Global-Training-Market---Latest-Developments-Technavio Who is the Customer in Education? Discussion Topic The debate whether a student is a customer. Before reading these articles, I would lean towards the “student is the customer”. Sirvanci’s article had such an analogous approach, where I agree with his explanation of the four roles of students. This article reminds me of how Dr. Otto Peters’ theory on distance education based on an industrial model. Since I’m more of a visual learner, the analogies help me have my “aha” moments in understanding. I’m not saying Sirvanci’s article is a seminal contribution like Dr. Peters. Even though this article is over 20 years, the relevance still exists. In my opinion, there are similarities on how they both compared education to an entire different industry. Also, I see that Sirvanci has an electrical engineering background, which I’m not surprised and it explains the manufacturing references. I used to work for a trade association and the members were facilities engineers. Some of these members managed the operations of a lot manufacturing facilities of top companies around the country. So I understand slightly how their minds work. Here is a list of some of my “aha” moments: a. Purchaser and consumer are not the same person, since some students do not pay for their education. b. Students are product-in-progress and the ultimate goal is to become a finished product one they graduate. c. Graduates who are still unemployed are “unsold products”. This reminds me of cost accounting with the reference to inventory. d. Students being tested is similar to quality control with inspections being done at a manufacturing facility. Who Are Your Stakeholders? Discussion Topic When you think about your business case, who are your stakeholders and why? What are their interests? For my business case, the stakeholders for the Virtual Chapters Presidents Institute course for Zeta Phi consist of the following: 1. Zeta’s membership consists of professional adult women from various races and ethnicities, who have undergraduate and post graduate degrees, who live all around the world, with diverse professional backgrounds, and are community service driven. 2. The Zeta Course Development Team will consist of Zetas that have served as past leaders at the national, regional, state, and chapter levels and Zetas that work in the training and development industry to act as subject-matter-experts (SMEs) to provide the content. The Zeta instructional design team will consist of an instructional designer, videographer, and graphic designer. 3. The final approval will done by the National Executive Board. I’ve discussed my proposed business idea with my fellow chapter members who are stakeholders as well. They agreed this is a great idea to propose to the National Executive Board. Review of Module 2 Objectives The objectives have been met. Since majority of the chapter presidents come from diverse professional backgrounds, some may not have the effective leadership experience to lead a Zeta chapter. Also, not all the presidents of the Zeta chapters have the convenience of attending annual conferences because of scheduling conflicts, work/life balance, finances, etc. Without effective leadership and development training in Zeta, it is hard to strategize the advancement of Zeta chapters to the next level in their respective communities around the world. Not having strong leaders at the chapter levels can have a detrimental effect to Zeta’s brand and overall financial health. Learning Journal Module 3 I’m following social learning as my business trend. An ATD article (March 28, 2018) was discussing how social polls are being used to engage learners in online classrooms. Social polling can be used to get feedback. A plus in using the tools are there is no right or wrong answer, and allow users to gauge their knowledge or opinion compared to that of their peers. https://www.td.org/user/content/lauriegoslee/getting-social-to-engage-learners-03-28-18-03-13 Do I consider DE or education in general, to be a business? Yes, I do consider DE or education to be a business because I found a recent Kinser article highlighting how Purdue University (a well-respected public university) and Kaplan University (another mega for-profit university) were recently approved to join together. I think this was very smart move for the both of them. They each needed something from each other. Purdue wanted to reach more students with online education by utilizing what Kaplan has already done. Kaplan is now able to leave the for-profit school problems behind. https://theconversation.com/purdue-kaplan-deal-blurs-lines-between-for-profit-and-public-colleges-92642 My elevator pitch in five sentences for my business plan is the following: I have a great opportunity for our sorority to make some extra revenue and address a learning gap with membership. Since majority of the chapter presidents come from diverse professional backgrounds, some may not have the effective leadership experience to lead a chapter. Also, not all the presidents of the chapters have the convenience of attending annual conferences because of scheduling conflicts, work/life balance, finances, etc. Without effective leadership and development training in Zeta, it is hard to strategize the advancement of our chapters to the next level in their respective communities around the world. Not having strong leaders at the chapter levels can have a detrimental effect to our brand and overall financial health. Review of Module 3 Objectives The objectives have been met. Learning Journal Module 4 Here’s my final update on social learning the business trend I chose for this class. Social learning has evolved more because of emerging technologies such as Web 2.0 tools and mobile learning. Psychology Today article (3/28/2018) highlights some of the findings from Carel van Schaik and his colleagues at the University of Zurich research entitled, "The Ecology of Social Learning in Animals and its Link with Intelligence". There are a few examples of how social learning increases intelligence in both humans and animals. For example, chimpanzees raised without adult chimpanzees do not know how to build nests or care for young when they become parents themselves. Ring-tailed lemurs raised artificially do not show the "normal" food preferences that wild lemurs display and instead will eat a larger variety of food. Another example was of some young rhesus macaques, which don't normally engage in social reconciliation following a conflict, to spend five months of their young lives with stump-tailed macaques, which are much more prone to reconciling disputes peacefully. These fostered rhesus macaques learned the behavior of reconciliation and it stuck with them even after they were placed back with other rhesus macaques. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beastly-behavior/201803/in-humans-and-animals-social-learning-drives-intelligence Module 4 has reminded me of things I’ve learned in undergrad as a business student. Such as, you really need to complete a due diligence when forming a global partnership. Also, assess and consider the needs of each stakeholder and make sure you are providing the same level of service globally. My business case focuses on collaboration because it’s involving a sorority. I foresee the partnerships to be long-term because of the need to increase sisterly bonds with the sorority members. At the start of the class, I would rank my confidence as a 6 since I’m new to the DE industry. My current level of confidence is a 9. Reading the articles regarding the partnerships, consortium, and alliances increased my perspective on global business. Review of Module 4 Objectives The objectives have been met. |
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