Abstract
This chapter outlines the evolutionary process of discussion, research, and practice upon which the insights, arguments, and constructs used in the book are based. The process is founded in notions of discursive construction (Jones and Goodfellow, Int J Learn Media 4(3–4):59–63, 2012) and praxis (Freire 2005). A number of key development stages are described, including engagement with the educational community via blog posts and presentations, preparation of conference and journal papers, and a project to explore a university’s Digital Future. The main analytical constructs detailed in the chapter are (i) a model of a new way of conceiving the dynamics of academic and organisational development in universities, (ii) a matrix illuminating the key aspects of each element in the model, and (iii) a graphic representation of an initial clustering of elements from the first two constructs combined with additional elements derived from the university project. These constructs are presented as analytical and practical tools for academic and organisational development of the digital university.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barber, M., Donnely, K., & Rizvi, S. (2013). An Avalanche Is Coming: Higher Education and the Revolution Ahead. IPPR. https://www.ippr.org/publications/an-avalanche-is-coming-higher-education-and-the-revolution-ahead. Accessed 28 Apr 2018.
Beetham, H., McGill, L., & Littlejohn, A. (2009). Thriving in the 21st Century: Learning Literacies for the Digital Age (LLiDA Project) Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations. UK Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC). http://oro.open.ac.uk/52237/. Accessed 23 May 2018.
Biggs, J. B. (2003). Teaching for Quality Learning at University (2nd ed.). Buckingham: Open University Press/Society for Research into Higher Education.
Collini, S. (2017). Speaking of Universities. London: Verso.
DFWG (Digital Futures Working Group). (2014). Digital Futures Working Group: Recommendations: April 2014 (Final Revision). Edinburgh Napier University.
Freire, P. (2005). Pedagogy of the Oppressed: 30th Anniversary Edition. New York: Continuum.
Holmwood, J. (2011). A Manifesto for the Public University. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Johnson, M., & Smyth, K. (2011). Diversity, Value and Technology: Exposing Value Pluralism in Institutional Strategy, Special Issue of Campus-Wide Information Systems on Learning Technology and Institutional Strategy, 28(4), 211–220.
Jones, C., & Goodfellow, R. (2012). The “digital university”: Discourse, Theory, and Evidence. International Journal of Learning and Media, 4(3–4), 59–63.
Littlejohn, A., Beetham, H., & McGill, L. (2012). Learning at the Digital Frontier: A Review of Digital Literacies in Theory and Practice. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 28(6), 547–556.
MacNeill, S. (2014). Exploring the digital university – Next Steps digital university Ecosystems. https://howsheilaseesit.net/analytics/exploring-the-digital-university-next-steps-digtial-university-ecosystems/. Accessed 6 May 2018.
MacNeill, S. (2016). Reframing Open in the Context of the Digital University – Part 1. https://howsheilaseesit.blog/2016/04/14/reframing-open-in-the-context-of-the-digital-university-part-1-oer16/ Accessed 5 May 2018.
MacNeill, S., & Johnston, B. (2012). A Conversation Around What It Means to be a digital university. http://blogs.cetis.org.uk/sheilamacneill/2012/01/26/a-converstaion-around-what-it-means-to-be-a-digital-university/. Accessed 5 June 2018.
McCluskey, F. B., & Winter, M. L. (2012). The Idea of the digital university: Ancient Traditions, Disruptive Technologies and the Battle for the Soul of Higher Education. Policy Studies Organisation. Washington: Westphalia Press.
Meyer, J. H. F., & Land, R. (2003). Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge: Linkages to Ways of Thinking and Practising. In C. Rust (Ed.), Improving Student Learning – Theory and Practice Ten Years On (pp. 412–424). Oxford: Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development (OCSLD).
PWC. (2018). The 2018 Digital University Staying Relevant in the Digital Age. PWC. https://www.pwc.co.uk/assets/pdf/the-2018-digital-university-staying-relevant-in-the-digital-age.pdf. Accessed 11 May 2018.
Roxå, T., & Mårtensoon, K. (2017). Agency and Structure in Academic Development Practices: Are We Liberating Academic Teachers or Are We Part of a Machinery Supressing Them? International Journal for Academic Development, 22(2), 95–105.
Selwyn, N. (2014). Digital Technology and the Contemporary University: Degrees of Digitization. London: Routledge.
Sharpe, R., & Beetham, H. (Eds.). (2007). Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Siemens, G., Gasevic, D., & Dawson, S. (Eds.). (2015). Preparing for the Digital University: A Review of the History and Current State of Distance, Blended, and Online Learning. MOOC Research Initiative.
Smyth, K. (2016). Reframing Open in the Context of the Digital University – Part 2. https://3eeducation.org/2016/04/20/reframing-open-in-the-context-of-the-digital-university-part-2/. Accessed 5 May 2018.
Smyth, K., MacNeill, S., & Johnston, B. (2015). Visioning the Digital University – From Institutional Strategy to Academic Practice. Educational Developments, 16(2), 13–17.
The Times. (2016). Jo Johnson Under Fire for Calling Some University Teaching ‘Lamentable’. Times Higher Education (THE). https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-johnson-under-fire-calling-some-university-teaching-lamentable. Accessed 1 June 2018.
Vermunt, J. D. (2007). The Power of Teaching-Learning Environments to Influence Student Learning. British Journal of Educational Psychology, Monograph Series II, 4, 73–90.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Johnston, B., MacNeill, S., Smyth, K. (2018). Exploring the Digital University: Developing and Applying Holistic Thinking. In: Conceptualising the Digital University. Digital Education and Learning. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99160-3_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99160-3_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-99159-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99160-3
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)