| |OCTOBER 20258EUROPEEUROPETECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT DRIVE EDUCATION SECTORIN MY OPINION The Role of Data in Successful Technology Integration in EducationThe successful integration of technology in education comes down to one key factor: data. While this may sound simple, it's a complex challenge because every educational setting is unique. Each institution has distinct goals, needs, and resources, making a one-size-fits-all approach impossible.Instead, institutions should use a data-driven approach with guiding questions to define success in their specific context. Consider the following:· What are the specific learning goals we aim to achieve with this technology?· How does this technology impact student engagement, inclusivity, and accessibility?· Does our institutional infrastructure support the integration of this technology?· What professional development will our faculty need to effectively use this technology?· How will we evaluate the effectiveness and long-term impact of this technology?These questions ensure that technology is integrated thoughtfully, based on the unique needs of each institution. Successful integration doesn't end with implementation; it involves ongoing evaluation and adaptation based on data. Integrating technology effectively means asking the right questions, gathering meaningful data, and being willing to make adjustments for continuous improvement--just like the educational process itself.Overcoming Mindset Barriers to Generative AI Adoption in Higher EducationThe widespread adoption of educational technology has overcome many general barriers, leaving those who resist basic tech adoption at risk of becoming outdated. However, the primary challenge for adopting generative AI in higher education is mindset. Generative AI has the potential to transform education, much like the Internet did, by fundamentally changing teaching and learning.Faculty and administrators currently fall into five categories in their approach to AI:1. Enthusiasts: Actively seek to integrate AI into teaching and research, seeing it as a tool for enhancing learning and innovating pedagogical practices.2. Pragmatists: Value AI but adopt it selectively where it clearly benefits their work.3. Skeptics: Question AI's effectiveness and raise ethical concerns.4. Resisters: View AI as a threat to educational integrity and oppose its use.ADVANCING HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATION AND GENERATIVE AIBy Jean Mandernach, Executive Director, Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching, Grand Canyon UniversityAs Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Research on Teaching at Grand Canyon University, I focus on enhancing higher education through data-driven approaches. Our mission is to support faculty in applying a scholarly lens to teaching, with an emphasis on integrating instructional technology based on learning outcomes. With the rise of generative AI, this focus has become even more crucial. We help faculty apply the same rigor to teaching as they do to research, ensuring the effective use of technology while prioritizing learning outcomes. Adaptive, evidence-based teaching practices are more essential now than ever.Jean Mandernach
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