Think Tank Methods

Dr. Aly, O.
Computer Science

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to discuss a technology and a key trend from this Web site: https://www.nmc.org/nmc-horizon/. The discussion will analyze at least two forces that impact the trend and the technology.

Note: For additional information on the sociotechnical process, review this Web site: http://horizon.wiki.nmc.org/

Discussion

This discussion is about “Think Tank.”  Let us begin with the definition of “Think Tank” before we get to the NMC. The term “Think Tank” is defined as a structure for a group that focuses on providing a solution to a particular problem in the technology and science domain (Caliva & Scheier, 1992).  However, it is regarded as a process rather than a structure by (Caliva & Scheier, 1992).  Thus, the term can be defined as “a process for in-depth consideration of issues and challenges whose relevance reaches beyond the individual or program and the immediate time frame.” (Caliva & Scheier, 1992).  In (Shaw, Russell, Greenhalgh, & Korica, 2014), Think Thank is described as “a civil society organization specializing in the production and dissemination of knowledge related to public policy” (Shaw et al., 2014).  In (Whittenhauer, NA), the Think Tank is described as “an organization that assembles experts with the sole purpose of coming together to think—more specifically, to think of ideas on how to solve a particular problem” (Whittenhauer, NA). Most of the Think Tanks in the United States are funded by the government or political advocacy groups (Whittenhauer, NA). However, some of the Think Tank are established as for-profit organizations which sell their intellectual property or ideas to businesses and government (Whittenhauer, NA).  There are two models for the Think Tank; the “one roof” Think Tank model and “without a roof” Think Tank model (Whittenhauer, NA).  The “without a roof” Think Tank model is more effective than the “one roof” because it does not require the funding that is required by the “one roof” on travel costs and so forth.  The “without roof” Think Tank model spends most of the money on research and the required costs for computers and utilities are not paid by think tank organization using this model (Whittenhauer, NA). 

NMC Horizon Report 2017 Higher Ed Edition:  This is a collaborative effort between NMC and the EduCause Learning Initiative (ELI) (NMC, 2018).  This Edition is the fourteenth edition to describe the annual findings from the NMC Horizon Project.  The purpose of this project is to identify and describe emerging technologies likely to have an impact on learning, teaching, and creative inquiry in education.  The key trends for accelerating technology adoption in Higher Education include three modes of trends: long-term, mid-term and short-term (NMC, 2018).  The main objective of the long-term trends is to drive ED Tech adoption in higher education for five or more year.  The advancing cultures of innovation and deeper learning approaches are the two forces that are required to achieve the long-term trends (NMC, 2018). The main objective of the mid-term trends is to drive Ed Tech adoption in higher education for the next three to five years (NMC, 2018).  The growing focus on measuring learning and redesigning learning spaces are the two forces that are required to achieve the mid-term trends (NMC, 2018). The main objective of the short-term trends is to drive Ed Tech adoption in higher education for the next one to two years.  Two forces are required to achieve short-term trends which are the blended learning designs, and collaborative learning (NMC, 2018).

For the long-term trends, the advancing cultures of innovation force include many areas of higher education that are spreading innovation, including the advancing cultures of entrepreneurial thinking and designing new forms of artificial intelligence (AI) (NMC, 2018).  It is considered to be the vehicle for driving the innovation.  The focus of this trend has moved from understanding the value of fostering the exploration of new ideas to finding ways to replicate it across a span of diverse and unique learning institutions (NMC, 2018).  The main element to enhance this force is to encourage higher education to modify its status quo to accept failure as an important part of the learning process.  The integration of the entrepreneurship in the higher education is an important step in realizing that big ideas usually begin from somewhere (NMC, 2018). Students and faculties should be equipped with tools that are required to spark the real progress in that domain.  Thus, the institution must evaluates and examine the curriculum and implement the required changes to remove any barriers that limit the development of new ideas (NMC, 2018).  There is a need for policies that can assist institutions to better finance revolutionary practices encouraging the nations to be more strategic in the allocation of funds to invest in efforts that enhance the completion of programs and the attainment of degree (NMC, 2018).

The deeper learning approach force is defined by William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as “the mastery of content that engages students in critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-directed learning” (NMC, 2018).  The connection between the coursework and the real world is required to help student remain motivated.  The deeper learning has proved that it is effective for improving the rates of the graduation in schools (NMC, 2018). The trend of the deeper learning approach force has been growing and is continuing to new developments.  The active learning approach has two strategies of inquiry-based learning; the problem-based learning where students solve real challenges and project-based learning where they create completed products (NMC, 2018).  There are no explicit policies that mandate project-based learning or other deeper learning approached in the universities or colleges. However, there is an effort from entities such as the Knowledge Alliances in Europe which represent projects intending to bring together post-secondary institutions and businesses to solve common problems (NMC, 2018).  The emphasis is on to develop innovation using multi-disciplinary approaches to education, and simulating entrepreneurial skills in higher education; and exchanging knowledge (NMC, 2018).   In the US, there are efforts from entities such as the Improving Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century Act is to assist Americans to receive the skills that are required to compete for in-demand jobs.  The purpose of these efforts is to support students to get involved in work-based learning opportunities and promote the use of new types of credentialing (NMC, 2018). 

References

Caliva, L., & Scheier, I. H. (1992). The Think Tank Techniques. Retrieved from http://academic.regis.edu/volunteer/ivan/sect03/sect03b.htm.

NMC, H. P. (2018). NMC Horizon Report: 2017 Higher Education Edition. Retrieve from https://www.nmc.org/publication/nmc-horizon-report-2017-higher-education-edition/.

Shaw, S., Russell, J., Greenhalgh, T., & Korica, M. (2014). Thinking about Think Tanks in Health Care: a call for a New Research Agenda.

Whittenhauer, K. (NA). Effective Think Tank Methods. Retrieved from http://classroom.synonym.com/effective-think-tank-methods-5728092.html.