The recent McKinsey report Education to Employment: Designing a System that Works reveals that despite a world wide shortage of skilled workers less than half of students think their education prepares them for employment. Unfortunately almost three quarters of the institutions surveyed believe that they are doing a good job of preparing their students for entry level positions in their field of studies. My recent experience as the Vice President Academic of a small liberal arts University confirms that most faculty, administrators and staff believe their institution is doing a wonderful job at preparing students when in reality they are not. How can so many seemingly intelligent people be so wrong and not fully grasp the changes that society is facing and the need for our educational system to adapt?
I have been considering this question for over 30 years and unfortunately, I haven’t seem any significant systemic changes in the educational system since my time as student in grade school–but this may be about to change. Yes, we are using technology like whiteboards instead of blackboards and some institutions are even dabbling with digital content but for the most part any advances in technology are used to make the delivery of information more efficient. We even give our Learning Management Systems names like “Blackboard” to help preserve the notion of information delivery in the traditional sense.
I think a significant part of the problem is that those who are really good at doing school as students come back as instructors and administrators–it is a self perpetuating system. In the extremely popular TED Talk Do schools kill creativity? Sir Ken Robinson makes the argument that if aliens were to visit our school system they would simply see it as system established to produce University Professors. This perhaps explains the disconnect between what the business world and students expect and what the educational system provides. Most instructors are convinced that the system is doing a great job because they are delivering the content in the same way that they had it delivered to them. They did very well in the system so they are living proof that the system works well. They do unto their students what was done onto them and so on. As we see from the data most of these people in the system do not see any problems. Fortunately, those outside the education system see the need for reform and the power of disruptive innovation is about to change the education system in ways that will be beyond the system’s control.
No field operates more inefficiently than Education. A new breed of disruptors is finally going to fix it.
The article highlights Salman Khan’s Khan Academy which is a collection of over 3000 short video clips that can be used in a just in time basis to help understand and learn many mathematical, scientific or other technical concepts. The videos themselves are really not that high in aesthetic quality so many traditional instructors are quick to dismiss them on this basis. But this is a classic example of a disruptive innovation. The disruptor often from outside the industry (Sal Kahn is not even a teacher) comes in and fills a need that the incumbent market leader ignores. Kahn upstages the educational establishment with his instructional videos that can be accessed for free that enable the learner to learn at their own pace and master concepts before they move on. Kahn has not discovered anything new and his presuppositions have been well researched by educational theorists. Self paced differentiated instruction and the promotion of mastery based learning work well. We see small pockets of these methodologies all over the world–the ideas are nothing new. It simply took an outsider to the educational establishment to make it work in a way that the educational system couldn’t.
Perhaps this is the secret–perhaps it will take those outside of the educational system to help the educational system to change. The Forbes article points 15 Classroom Revolutionaries who are exploring disruptive technologies that may change the way we teach and learn.
Perhaps the best place for out of the box ideas is from outside of the box.
Ben Hammersley editor-at-Large for Wired magazine and guru of the digital age points to the realities we must face as a result of the impact of Moore’s Law. For example he discusses the impact of disruptive innovation and the Kodak example of inventing the digital pictures but not seeing how the initially substandard technology would grow to eliminate film photography.
If you see something coming down the line and you are dismissing it because it is not very good it is going to kill you in 10 years time. The inevitability of the tides of Moore’s Law make this so.
Hammersley argues that this very rapid rate of change puts us in a position of alway having to prepare for a future that we won’t be able to fully imagine. This rapid change is a fundamental force that is driving society forward. He offers the following example and challenge:
These weird fundamental forces are of the fact that every time you get a new phone it is out of date, every time you get a new laptop it is out of date… this is a fundamental driving force for the future of humanity. For those of us who understand it or learn to understand it, it is our responsibly to go out to other people, to go to our friends, colleagues relatives and specifically go to our politicians and our elected officials and tell them about these changes in the way we have to think.
These fundamental forces of change are part of our present reality and Hammersley argues that we are not doing a good job of preparing for the future because most of our leaders are confused by the present. His closing statement summarizes this challenge that we face:
“Right now, we have entrusted our future to those who are confused by the present and that is no way to go forward into the future.”
Are you doing your part to warn those in your sphere of influence about these fundamental forces of change? Are they listening?
I have been involved in formally leading change in a wide variety of educational settings for the past 20 years and inevitably following a guest lecture, webinar or conference presentation I am asked to recommend a book or two or three on change. The following list is a response to those requests.
I will not be numbering the list because I don’t want to rank the books because they have all played a special role in my development.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink.
Pink’s summary of the power of intrinsic over extrinsic motivation is unmatched. He points to major and extensive research that reveals that autonomy, mastery and purpose are more powerful motivators than the carrot and the stick.
Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author by John P. Kotter.
Kotter points to many years of research that reveals that more than 70% of organization change efforts fail. His Eight Steps to Leading Change are the best way to insure that your change efforts will be successful.
A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin H. Friedman
Friedman makes the argument that the poorly self-differentiated leader at any level in an organization will undercut their subordinates because these types of leaders lack the courage and confidence in themselves to effectively lead. This is perhaps one of the most challenging and controversial leadership books because it calls for a leader to take responsibility for the emotional health of an organization.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
This has to be the contemporary research based classic on building a successful organization. Collins reveals that good isn’t good enough when you wish to build a great organization.
Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative by Ken Robinson
Robinson makes the argument for why we need to promote creativity or, more importantly, create the environments were creativity can flourish. He points out how our educational systems overemphasis on Math, Science and related discipline has all but killed creativity in our schools.
Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns by Clayton M Christensen, Michael B. Horn & Curtis W. Johson.
Christensen applies his well-researched theory of disruptive innovation to K-12 education and points to online learning as the disruptive catalyst that is about to finally change the educational system in North America. In the four years since the book has been published Christensen’s predictions are not only being realized, his time table for the culmination of this disruption may yet prove to be too conservative.
Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World by Don Tapscott
Tapscott builds on the ideas he presented several years earlier in Growing Up Digital and Wikinomics and expounds on how the Net Generation thinks, learns and socializes differently and how we can leverage these differences to improve our society.
The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion by John Seely Brown, John Hagel III & Lang Davison
Seely Brown and colleagues point to the fact that the industrialized world has begun the move from assuming or estimating what we want and pushing out these products and services to a world where resources and services are pulled together in a just in time fashion to respond to our individual needs. The ability to build these powerful pull networks will be key to determining success in the digital age.
A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change by Douglas Thomas & John Seely Brown
Thomas and Brown shatter the myth that teaching is necessary for learning to occur by revealing the power of learning environments that are all around us. They further upend the notion that learning only happens in the classroom or in a mechanistic fashion by pointing out learning is more often a messy, social, playful and constant activity that is more effective in an informal setting.
I can easily add another ten to fifteen books to this list but more is not necessary better when you are just starting out or if you are trying help your organization move forward in using technology as a tool to enhance the learning environment.
In the past 30 years that I have spent in Academia (Post Secondary) as a student, professor, administrator, Vice President Academic, and most recently as a Learning Innovation Consultant I have spoken to thousands of people at hundreds of events —Take me to the full list. I have also listened to hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of speakers and learned that the most effective speakers are those who are passionate about their subject and who bring you into their world.
Finding the Right Fit
In my capacity as an academic leader I have also been responsible for planning and hosting hundreds of events, from small professional development sessions to large multi-day conferences, so I understand the challenge of finding just the right speaker. The quality of events was directly dependent on the quality of our speakers. If we had the right speakers then the events were successful. More often than not the most successful sessions were the ones in which the speaker moved away from the traditional sage on the stage position and engaged the audience in a dialogue.
Active and Engaging
Even though I have conducted several keynote addresses and have been a sage on the stage for many sessions I prefer to interact directly with my audience and find out where they are at and address their issues and concerns. As a social constructivist, I prefer a highly interactive workshop or town hall format where the creative and collaborative power of a group can be harnessed to bring about learning for all participants. Whether we use an open discussion in a small group, a Twitter backchannel in a large venue, or a chat session in a webinar I believe it is crucial for me to listen to the audience and engage them.
Power of Digital Media
I am an advocate of all forms of digital media and look for opportunities to embed video, images, and sound into all my interactions whether they take the form of an online class, workshop, professional development session, presentation, or keynote.
The following are a few examples of some of my previous work:
My Most Requested Topics
I speak on topics related to teaching and learning, change and innovation, mobile and online learning, and educational technology. I will customize my presentation to meet your organization’s specific needs and my goal is to provide the outcome you need.
My most requested topics include the following. Keep in mind that I can present these as a keynote, webinar, or a half, full or multi-day workshop.
Creating significant learning environments
Curriculum development and instructional design
Giving learners choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning opportunities
Using disruptive innovation as a catalyst to bring about change
Online and mobile learning
Organizational Change
Pedagogy as a foundation for implementing online and mobile learning
Using technology to enhance learning
It’s about the learning
Previous Speaking Engagement:
The following is a list of my engagements over the past several years.
2021
Harapnuik, D. K. (2021, April). From hard pivot to seamless integration. Presentation and workshop for the Division of Education and School of Extended Learning; Governors State University, Chicago IL Virtual.
Harapnuik, D. K. (2021, Feb). Assessment as learning and aligning outcomes activities & assessment. Workshop for Coquitlam College; Coquitlam BC. Virtual.
Brown, K., Rodriguez, S., McGrew, S., McLeod, K., Walker, J., Thibodeaux, T., & Harapnuik, D. (2020, September). Crisis Innovations: Virtual Learning and COVID [Panelist]. International Council of Professors in Educational Leadership (ICPEL). Virtual
Thibodeaux, T. N. & Harapnuik, D. K., (2020, April). Graduate students’ perceptions of factors that contributed to ePortfolio persistence beyond the program of study. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) Conference. Virtual.
Thibodeaux, T. N. & Harapnuik, D. K., & Summerford, M. (2020, February). Giving learners choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning opportunities & ePortfolios. Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), Austin, TX.
2019
Harapnuik, D. K., & Thibodeaux, T. N. (2019, Nov). Graduate students’ use of feedback to deepen learning. Presentation for OLC Accelerate; Online Learning Consortium (OLC), Orlando FL.
Harapnuik, D. K., & Thibodeaux, T. N. (2019, March). Exploring students’ use of feedback to take ownership and deepen learning. Presentation for Texas Distance Learning Association Conference. Dallas, TX.
2018
Thibodeaux, T. N., & Harapnuik, D. K. (2018, August). Provost’s Kick Off: How can I encourage deep and meaningful learning through the use of ePortfolios? Lamar University, Beaumont, TX.
Harapnuik, D. K., & Thibodeaux, T. N. (2018, July). IGNITE: Change in Focus. Association for Authentic, Experiential, and Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL), Vancouver, Canada.
Thibodeaux, T. N., & Harapnuik D. K. (2018, June). Honor’s faculty retreat: ePortfolios. Lamar
University, Beaumont, TX.
Harapnuik, D. K., Thibodeaux, T. N., & Cummings, C. D. (2018, April). Rethinking how to make ePortfolios a high impact practice. Presentation for Lamar University Research Conference, Beaumont, TX.
Harapnuik, D. K., Thibodeaux, T. N., Cummings, C. D., & Pruett, A. (2018, March). The power of giving learners choice, ownership, voice through authentic learning opportunities. Presentation for Texas Distance Learning Association Conference. Dallas, TX.
Thibodeaux, T. N., Harapnuik, D. K., & Cummings, C. D. (2018, January). Rethinking how to make ePortfolios as a high impact practice. America Colleges and Universities: ePortfolio Forum, Washington D. C.
2017
Harapnuik, D., Cummings, C. & Thibodeaux, T. (2017, April). Student perceptions of the COVA approach on ePortfolios and authentic projects in the DLL program. Presentation for the Digital Ticket Conference at Lamar University. Beaumont, TX.
PDF of slides: Ed Research Conference 2017.pdf
Harapnuik, D., & Thibodeaux, T. (2017, March). The COVA learning Approach: Lamar University M.Ed. in Digital Learning & Leading. Texas Distance Learning Association Conference. Galveston, TX.
PDF of Slides: TxDLA 2017 COVA & CSLE.pdf
Harapnuik, D., & Thibodeaux, T. (2017, February). Choice, Ownership, and Voice through Authentic Learning: Lamar University M.Ed. in Digital Learning & Leading. Presentation for Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
PDF of Slides: COVA-CSLE in DLL – Feb 16 2017
Harapnuik, D., & Thibodeaux, T. (2017, February). Modelling ePortfolios: How to use and model an ePortfolio in your course/program. Presentation for Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
PDF of Slides: Modeling ePortfolios Fe6 2017
Curriculum Development (PIDP 3210). Five-day Workshop designed to enable new and experienced educators to design and build effective curriculum conducted for the Vancouver Community College (VCC) at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) Prince George, BC. 3210 Resources page
2016
Harapnuik, D., Cummings, C. & Thibodeaux, T. (2016, August). Eportfolio Persistence: Digital Learning and Leading Program. Presentation for the AAEEBL Annual Conference. Boston, MA.
PDF of slides: AAEEBL Boston August 2016-ver2
Harapnuik, D., Cummings, C. & Thibodeaux, T. (2016, May). Go & Show Digital Learning. Presentation for the Digital Ticket Conference at Lamar University. Beaumont, TX.
PDF of slides: LU Digital Ticket-May 19, 2016-Rev 4 Digital Ticket
Harapnuik, D., Cummings, C. & Thibodeaux, T. (2016, April). Go & Show Digital Learning: Lamar University’s Digital Learning and Leading Program. Presentation for the CoSN Annual Conference. Washington, DC.
PDF of slides: COSN DC – April 6-2016-Rev 2
Harapnuik, D., Cummings, C. & Thibodeaux, T. (2016, March). Blended Learning Approach: Lamar University’s Digital Learning and Leading Program. Presentation for the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference. San Antonio, TX.
PDF of slides: TxDLA San Antonio – March 31-Rev 2
Harapnuik, D., Cummings, C. & Thibodeaux, T. (2016, February). Eportfolio Persistence: Exploring Why Learners Continue or Discontinue Using Eportfolio. Presentation for the AAEEBL Western Regional Conference at Texas Christian University. Fort Worth, TX.
PDF of slides: ePortfolio Persistence AAEEBL TCU – Feb 25
2015
Using Digital Media to Engage Students. Workshop for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Power of Video. Workshop for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Future of Learning in the SoHS-What’s Your Why. Workshop for the Dean’s Leadership Team in School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
How to Build Acceptance and Overcome Resistance to Feedback. Workshop for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – SoHS-Feedback session.pdf Feedback Workshop Videos & Resources
Exploring the Fundamentals of Blended Learning and the Flipped Classroom. Information session for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Blended Learning-Info-Session-SoHS.pdf
Understanding and Combatting Resistance to Online Learning. Information session for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Online learning issues.pdf
Using Video & Digital Media to Engage Students. Information session for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Power of video.pdf Power of Video Resources page
Four Keys to Unlocking the Cultural Component of Organizational Change: The Head Won’t Go Where the Heart Hasn’t Been. Presentation for ASQ Vancouver Quality and Business Excellence Conference. Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – 4-Keys-Culture-Org-Change-ASQ Conference.pdf
Integrating Tech in Schools: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. Presentation for the EdTech Vancouver Meetup. ZEN Maker Lab, North Vancouver, BC.
PDF of slides – ZEN Meetup- Significant Learning Environments.pdf
Exploring the Philosophy of Learning. Workshop for the Emergency Nursing program in the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Learning Philosophy for Emergency Nursing Visible Learning
Connecting the Dot for Blended Learning. Workshop for the Speciality Nursing program in the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Mindset for Change-Specialty Nursing
What is the Future of Learning in the SoHS. Workshop for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Youtube in the Learning Environment. Seminar/Workshop for the Learning and Teaching Centre at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slide – List/links of YouTube videos used in the seminar
What is the Future of Learning in the SoHS. Workshop for the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Creating Significant Learning Environments in a Quality Assurance Context. Presentation for ASQ Vancouver. Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – ASQ Presentation
Connecting the Dots. Workshop/Presentation for the Digital Arts Program in the School of Business at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Vancouver Campus, BC.
Adopting the Mindset for Change. Workshop for the Speciality Nursing program in the School of Health Sciences at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Mindset for Change-Specialty Nursing
Power of Video. Workshop for the Part Time Studies Professional Development day at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – BCIT – Youtube Workshop blogpost
Power of Intrinsic Motivation. Workshop for the Computer Science Program in the School of Computing and Academic Studies at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Motivation Session-SoCAS.pdf
Disruptive Innovation: A Catalyst for Learning. Keynote for the Business Educators’ Articulation Conference hosted by the School of Business at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Disruptive Innovation BEAC Keynote.pdf
Creating Significant Learning Environments. Two-day faculty development workshop conducted for the School of Business at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – CSLE 2 Day SoB Workshop
Start with Why. Curriculum Mornings Workshop for the Nursing Program in the School of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – SoHS Why.pdf
Connecting the Dots VS Collecting the Dots. Curriculum Mornings Workshop for the Nursing Program in the School of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Connecting Dots.pdf
Mindset for Change. Curriculum Mornings Workshop for the Nursing Program in the School of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – Mindset for Change.pdf
Creating Significant Learning Environments. Curriculum Mornings Workshop for the Nursing Program in the School of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – CSLE.pdf
Power of Intrinsic Motivation. Workshop for the Nursing Program in the School of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – BCIT-SoHS Motivation Session.pdf
Putting the Mobile Into Learning. Workshop for the Faculty Development Wednesday Workshop Series at the Learning and Teaching Centre at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Creating Significant Learning Environments: Catalyst to Bring about Change in Higher Education. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
The power of media and technology in creating significant learning environments. Presentation for the Marketing Management Program at the School of Business at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Creating Significant Learning Environments. Four-day faculty development workshop conducted for the Nursing Program in the School of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
PDF of slides – CSLE 4 Day Workshop.pdf
Creating significant learning environments. Presentation for the Dean’s Leadership Team at School of Business at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
2013
Creating Significant Learning Environments. Two-day faculty development workshop conducted for British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Using Mobility as a Catalyst to Bring about Change in Higher Education. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
What’s Our Why: Creating significant learning environments. Presentation to the Dean’s Council of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC.
Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW). Workshop for a small group setting designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators conducted for the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Burnaby, BC
Change Leadership: Using Mobility as a Catalyst to Bring about Change in Higher Education. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Where are we at with Mobile Learning in Higher Education. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Using Disruptive Innovation as a Catalyst for Change in Higher Education. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Consequences of Living Your Faith in Your Profession. Presentation to Capilano Christian Assembly Men’s Group: Capilano Christian Assembly. Edmonton, AB.
2012
Concordia University is Home Education Friendly. Presentation to Students and Parents: The Home Education Exchange. Calgary, AB.
Living and Learning. Presentation for Awards Night: Mornville Christian School. Mornville, AB.
Concordia University is Home Education Friendly. Presentation to Students and Parents: The Home Education Exchange. Edmonton, AB.
Characteristics of Analytics Leadership or How to Prevent Culture from Trumping Vision. Education Analytics Panel: Best of Analytics Conference. Edmonton, AB.
Why Concordia. Presentation to Students and Parents: Alberta Home Education Association. Red Deer, AB.
Two Men Who Make a Difference. Presentation to Faculty and Staff at Concordia Annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Dinner: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Designed Leadership. Presentation to Faculty and Staff: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
The Concordia Difference. Presentation to Students and Parents at Concordia Open House: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Mobile Learning: It’s About the Learning. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Leadership. Workshop for First Year Learning Communities: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Where are we in mLearning: What’s Holding You Back. Workshop for Bringing Mobile Learning to your Institutions Conference: Academic Impressions. Houston, TX.
mLearning: an Instructional Design View. Workshop for Bringing Mobile Learning to your Institutions Conference: Academic Impressions. Houston, TX.
mLearning: at your Institution. Workshop for Bringing Mobile Learning to your Institutions Conference: Academic Impressions. Houston, TX.
mLearning: Planning Guidelines. Workshop for Bringing Mobile Learning to your Institutions Conference: Academic Impressions. Houston, TX.
Leadership: It’s Not Just for Leaders. Workshop for First Year Learning Communities: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Using Mobility to Enhance Productivity. Workshop for Executives and Directors: Alberta Criminal Justice Association. Edmonton, AB.
The Power of Living Your Faith. Presentation to Capilano Christian Assembly Men’s Group: Capilano Christian Assembly. Edmonton, AB.
Concordia Town Hall. Presentation to Faculty and Staff: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Welcome to Concordia. Presentation to Winter Session Students: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Open Studies Orientation. Presentation to Open Studies Students: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
2011
Concordia Changes Lives. Presentation to Edmonton Public and Catholic High School Councilors: Councilors Brunch at Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Concordia University Homes School Admissions Initiative. Presentation to Wisdom School District Coordinators and Board: Wisdom School District. Edmonton, AB.
It’s About the Learning. Keynote address for Fall Awards Night: Mornville Christian School. Mornville, AB.
Mobile Learning: It’s About the Learning. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Welcome to Concordia. Presentation to Incoming Freshman Students: Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
It’s About the Learning: Pre-session. Presentation to Concordia Faculty: Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Media Literacy. Presentation to the Concordia Board of Governors Initiatives and Internationalization Task Force: Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
It’s About the Learning: Academic Planning Workshop. Workshop conducted for Concordia Faculty: Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Concordia Tomorrow: It’s About the Learning. Presentation to Concordia Board of Governors: Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 2011
Mobile Enhanced Inquiry-Based Learning (MEIBL) Bootcamp. Next Generations Learning Challenges (NGLC) Workshop conducted at the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning: Abilene Christian University. Abilene, TX.
It’s About the Learning: The Foundation for the Development and Implementation of a Strategic Academic Plan. Presentation to Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
Using Mobility to Enhance the Learning Environment. Workshop conducted at the International Sun Conference on Teaching and Learning: University of Texas at El Paso. El Paso, TX.
Mobile Learning: It’s About the Learning. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Revolution or Evolution? Social Technologies and Change in Higher Education. Online Workshop conducted at Friday Live Weekly Webcast: TLT Group’s Online Institute. Takoma Park, MA.
Design and Implementation Success Factors: Using the iPhone to Enhance the Education Experience. Key Speaker at the Education Technology Strategies for Universities, Colleges and K-12 Schools: Strategy Institute. Toronto, OT.
Student Perspective on Mobile Learning. Panel Chair for Symposium conducted at the ACU Connected Summit: Abilene Christian University. Abilene, TX.
Faculty Perspective on Mobile Learning. Panel Chair for Symposium conducted at the ACU Connected Summit: Abilene Christian University. Abilene, TX.
Using Mobility as a Catalyst to Change the Learning Environment. Symposium conducted at the 5th Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Texas A&M University. Kingsville, TX.
Are We Expecting Enough of Our Learners. Workshop conducted at the Abilene Christian University 2011 Winter Pre-session. Abilene, TX.
2010
Revolution or Evolution? Social Technologies and Change in Higher Education. Symposium conducted at the Gateways to New Directions: 35th Annual POD Conference. St. Louis, MI.
Mobile Learning: It’s About the Learning. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
ACU Connected Open House Conference, Abilene, TX.
Mobility and Next-Wave Interaction in HigherEd. Presentation for Christian Admissions Councilor Retreat. Abilene, TX.
Mobile Learning: It’s About the Learning. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Athabasca Introduction to Current Distance Education Technologies course: MDDE 610. Athabasca, AB.
Developing a Campus-Wide Mobile Learning Initiative at ACU. Webinar guest lecture conducted for University of Victoria Distributed and Mobile Learning course: EDCI 339. Victoria, BC.
ACU Connected Open House Conference, Abilene, TX.
Mobile Learning Initiative Update and New Opportunities. Webinar conducted for the Portage College Professional Development Series. Lac La Biche, AB.
The Future of Mobile Learning. Workshop conducted at the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative Annual Meeting, Austin TX.
2009 and older
Rankin, W., Dickson, K., Harapnuik, D., & Saltsman, G. (2009, October). ACU Connected Open House Conference, Abilene, TX.
Harapnuik, D., & Wall, T. (2008, October). Enhancing Learning With Web 2.0. Symposium conducted at the League for Innovation CIT 2008 Conference on Information Technology, Salt Lake City, UT.
Harapnuik, D., & Gross, C. (2008, October). SPARC Your Passion for Learning Through Lethbridge College’s Learning Connections. Symposium conducted at the League for Innovation CIT 2008 Conference on Information Technology, Salt Lake City, UT.
Harapnuik, D., & Harker, R. (2008, October). B.Y.O. Laptop: Enable Student Laptops to Access College Software. Symposium conducted at the League for Innovation CIT 2008 Conference on Information Technology, Salt Lake City, UT.
Harapnuik, D., & Wall, T. (2008, October). Enhancing Learning With Web 2.0. Symposium conducted at the League for Innovation CIT 2008 Conference on Information Technology, Salt Lake City, UT.
Harapnuik, D., & Corbett, R. (2007, October). Self Directed Online Professional Development for Educators? Symposium conducted at the Distributed Learning in the 21st Century: Shaping the Future of Learning Symposium, Edmonton, AB.
Harapnuik, D. (2007, May). Impact of Web 2.0 and M-Learning. Symposium conducted at the Alberta Business Education Association Conference, Waterton Lakes National Park, AB.
Harapnuik, D., Papp, D., & Saito, F. (2001, February). Discover Hacking. Symposium conducted at the Business Security Series at Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, AB.
Harapnuik, D., Papp, D., & Saito, F. (2001, April). Discover Hacking. Symposium conducted at the Business Security Series at the Calgary Convention Center, Calgary, AB.
Harapnuik, D., Montgomerie, T.C., & Torgerson, C. (1998, November). Costs of Developing and
Delivering a Instruction Course. Symposium conducted at WebNet 98–World Conference of the WWW, Internet, and Intranet, Orlando, FL.
Montgomerie, T.C., Harapnuik, D., Keenan, T., Chugh, U., Kirek, I. Pfoh, H. Smith, N. & Udey, N. (1998, January). Development of a Delivery System for Multimedia Instruction over the Internet: The Adaptive Multimedia Education Enabler (AMEE). Symposium conducted at the 20th Annual Pacific Telecommunications Conference “Coping with Convergence –the Future is Now,” Honolulu, HI.
Harapnuik, D., & Montgomerie, T.C. (1998, February). Web-Based Instruction: Lessons Learned,
Lessons Shared. Poster session presented at Research Revelations 98, Edmonton, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., Harapnuik, D., & Torgerson C. (1998, March). True Costs of Web-Based Instruction. Symposium conducted at Media Prosperity ’98 — A joint conference of AMTEC (Association for Media and Technology use in Canada) and ENMI (Edmonton New Media Initiative), Edmonton, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., & Harapnuik, D. (1998, March). Student Evaluations of Web-Based Instruction, Symposium conducted at Media Prosperity ’98 — A joint conference of AMTEC (Association for Media and Technology use in Education in Canada) and ENMI (Edmonton New Media Initiative), Edmonton, AB.
Harapnuik, D. (1997, March). Putting your Course Online. Symposium conducted at the Train the Trainer Series at Grant MacEwan Community College, Edmonton, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., & Harapnuik, D. (1998, March). The Internet: Communicating, Accessing and
Providing Information, A poster session for Leaders in Learning ’98: Celebrating Innovation in Educational Technologies at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Harapnuik, D., & Montgomerie, T.C. (1997, June). Delivering a Course on the Web. Symposium
conducted at The Digital Planet: University of Alberta Campus Computing Symposium, Edmonton, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., Harapnuik, D., & Palmer, K. (1997, June). Managing, Supporting and Administering Web-Based Courses. Poster session presented at ED-MEDIA 97 & ED-TELECOM 97 – World Conference on Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia & World Conference on Educational Telecommunications, Calgary, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., & Harapnuik, D. (1997, June). The Internet –Communicating, Accessing & Providing Information: An On-Line Web-Based Course. Symposium conducted at ED-MEDIA 97 & ED-TELECOM 97 – World Conference on Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia & World Conference on Educational Telecommunications, Calgary, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., Harapnuik, D., & Simpson, I. (1997, June). The Adaptive Multimedia Education Enabler. T.C. Symposium conducted at The Digital Planet: University of Alberta Campus Computing Symposium, Edmonton, AB.
Montgomerie, T. C., Birdsell, R., Harapnuik, D., McCracken, J. Smith, N., & Udey, N. (1997, April). The Adaptive Multimedia Education Enabler. Symposium conducted at Alberta Advanced Education, Edmonton, AB.
Montgomerie, T. C., Birdsell, R., Harapnuik, D., McCracken, J. Smith, N., Udey, N. & Chugh, U. (1997, April). The Adaptive Multimedia Education Enabler. Symposium conducted at Leading Together: Fostering Success in and Diverse Learning Community sponsored by the Alberta Association for Continuing Education (AACE) presentation: AMEE Consortium, Calgary, AB.
Montgomerie, T.C., & Harapnuik, D. (1997, November). Student Evaluation of a Web-Based Course. Symposium conducted at WebNet – 97 — World Conference of the WWW, Internet, and Intranet, Toronto, ON.
Montgomerie, T.C., Harapnuik, D., & Palmer, K. (1997, December). An Online Database System for Managing, Supporting, and Administering Web-Based Courses. Symposium conducted at the International Conference on Computers in Education, Kuching, Malaysia.
Montgomerie, T.C., & Harapnuik, D. (1997, December). Putting Your Course Online: Lessons Learned, Lessons Shared. A Tutorial (presession) given to the International Conference on Computers in Education, Kuching, Malaysia.
Montgomerie, T.C., & Harapnuik, D. (1996, October). Observations on Web-Based Course Development & Delivery. Symposium conducted at WebNet ‘96 – Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, San Francisco, CA.
Harapnuik, D. (1996, May). Business on the Internet. Edmonton, AB: Compusmart Business Series.
Harapnuik, D. (1996, June). Conducting Business on the Internet. Edmonton, AB: OA Internet.
“Toxic culture is like carbon monoxide: you don’t see or smell it but you wake up dead! Senior pastors do a lot of good things, but they fail to understand the impact of the existing organizational culture on their new, exciting vision for the church. It is like changing the engine on a sports car to make it faster, but it’s spinning its wheels in the mud. Or to use a different metaphor, they try to transplant a heart into a patient whose body rejected the foreign organ. No matter how perfect the new heart is, the patient had no chance at all unless the body accepted it.
Culture — not vision or strategy — is the most powerful factor in any organization. It determines the receptivity of staff and volunteers to new ideas, unleashes or dampens creativity, builds or erodes enthusiasm, and creates a sense of pride or deep discouragement about working or being involved there.”
Chand also recommends forming an informal group to examine these and related questions. Identifying just how toxic your organization culture is a crucial first step, but you will still need to create the circumstances that will bring about the changes needed to move your organization culture to a better place. Unfortunately, this takes time and if an organization’s competitive advantage is its small size and ability to respond to new opportunities then a toxic culture will neutralize this competitive advantage. Furthermore, a toxic resistance to change may mean that it is too late for this particular organization. Seth Godin the author of Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us encourages leaders to recognize when it is too late and it is time to move on.
This can be a very tough pill to swallow for the people within the organization, but we all know it is often much more cost effective to build from scratch than it is to renovate. We are seeing the demise of many organizations across many industries so before we blame the economy, market, government or other external factors perhaps we need to take a closer look at the organization itself and, in particular, its culture.
The solution to this problem is to not let the culture get to the point where it is toxic. This requires balance of compassion, character, strength of conviction and sound leadership skills. Unfortunately, as Edwin H. Friedman points out in his book A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix, there is a severe shortage of character and nerve in our society. In a rapidly changing world that is being projected forward by one disruptive innovation after another the difference between an organization surviving or thriving may be this strength of leadership and the ability to foster the circumstances that contribute to a strong, vibrant culture that motivates people to collaborate, serve and be and do their very best. What type of culture do you have in your organization and what are you doing about it?
points out that culture not only trumps vision but once you understand that it is the most powerful factor in an organization that new shinny vision will not be realized until steps are taken to bring about cultural change.
encourages leaders to recognize when it is too late and it is time to move on.
