25 Years of Ed Tech

Without a doubt, the dominant educational technology in use today in most educational institutions is the Learning Management System (LMS) or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Despite repeated calls over the years by educators for the end of the one size fits all LMS/VLE, it has, like the institutions it serves, proved to be resilient and hard to break down. However, is this because the LMS is a "good enough" tool, or is it a result of "software sedimentation" that has resulted in enterprise process and structures being built around the LMS/VLE in such a way that alternatives become impossible to imagine, let alone implement.

Show Notes

Without a doubt, the dominant educational technology in use today in most educational institutions is the Learning Management System (LMS) or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Despite repeated calls over the years by educators for the end of the one size fits all LMS/VLE, it has, like the institutions it serves, proved to be resilient and hard to break down. However, is this because the LMS is a "good enough" tool, or is it a result of "software sedimentation" that has resulted in enterprise process and structures being built around the LMS/VLE in such a way that alternatives become impossible to imagine, let alone implement. 

What is 25 Years of Ed Tech?

25 Years of Ed Tech is a serialized audio version of the book 25 Years of Ed Tech, written by Martin Weller of the Open University and published by AU Press. The audio version of the book is a collaborative project with a global community of volunteers contributing their voices to narrate a chapter of the book. Bonus episodes are a series of conversations called "Between the Chapters" to chat about these topics and more!

"In this lively and approachable volume based on his popular blog series, Martin Weller demonstrates a rich history of innovation and effective implementation of ed tech across higher education. From Bulletin Board Systems to blockchain, Weller follows the trajectory of education by focusing each chapter on a technology, theory, or concept that has influenced each year since 1994. Calling for both caution and enthusiasm, Weller advocates for a critical and research-based approach to new technologies, particularly in light of disinformation, the impact of social media on politics, and data surveillance trends. A concise and necessary retrospective, this book will be valuable to educators, ed tech practitioners, and higher education administrators, as well as students."

Credits:
Text in quotes from the book website published by Athabasca University Press CC-BY-NC-ND
BG music Abstract Corporate by Gribsound released under a CC-BY license. Track was edited for time.
Artwork X-Ray Specs by @visualthinkery is licenced under CC-BY-SA.
Audio book chapters produced by Clint Lalonde.
Between the Chapters bonus podcast episodes produced by Laura Pasquini.