Online Learning and the
Future of Residential Education
Program
Sunday, March 3
Keynote Program and Overview of Summit Objectives
Venue
Radcliffe Gymnasium, Harvard University
Reception and Networking
Discussion and Dinner
This keynote program included an overview of the Summit and an interactive dialogue with the speakers on how online learning is shaping teaching, research, and the student experience both on- and off-campus.
Welcome Remarks
Drew Gilpin Faust, President, Harvard University
Opening Conversation
- Moderator: Lawrence S. Bacow, President Emeritus, Tufts University and President-in-Residence, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
- Drew Gilpin Faust, President, Harvard University
- L. Rafael Reif, President, MIT
- Gene B. Sperling, Director, National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
Closing Remarks
W. Eric L. Grimson, Chancellor and Bernard Gordon Professor of Medical Engineering, MIT
Monday, March 4
Interactive Sessions
The Monday portion of the Summit comprised three topic-based dialogues framed by a keynote address and panel discussion. Participants were encouraged to contribute ideas, insights, and perspectives during the panel presentations and facilitated question-and-answer discussions.
Venue
Opening Remarks
L. Rafael Reif, President, MIT
Remarks
W. Eric L. Grimson, Chancellor and Bernard Gordon Professor of Medical Engineering, MIT
Session 1: Blended Models of Learning: Bringing Online to On-Campus
Keynote Address
William G. Bowen, President Emeritus, Princeton University; Founder, ITHAKA Group
Panel Discussion
Interactive Group Discussion
Summary of Findings
Panelists
- Moderator: Ian A. Waitz, Dean, MIT School of Engineering
- Eric Mazur, Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics; Area Dean of Applied Physics, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- John C. Mitchell, Vice Provost for Online Learning and Mary and Gordon Crary Family Professor, Department of Computer Science, Stanford University
- Eric S. Rabkin, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of English Language and Literature; Professor of Art and Design, University of Michigan
- Philipp Schmidt, Director and Co-founder Peer 2 Peer University, Director's Fellow MIT Media Lab
- Susan R. Singer, Division Director for Undergraduate Education, National Science Foundation; Laurence McKinley Gould Professor of the Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Carleton College
Description
The purpose of this session was to discuss how online education could enhance the educational experience for on-campus students. Topics: Creating new types of learning experiences for residential students; engaging faculty members in the creation of online courses, modules, and tools; developing suitable institutional support for academic technology; and using data and research to deepen insights into how students learn.
Break and Demonstrations
Session 2: Online Learning: Today and Tomorrow
Keynote Address
Salman Khan, Founder, Khan Academy
Panel Discussion
Interactive Group Discussion
Summary of Findings
Panelists
- Moderator: Jonathan Zittrain, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government; Professor of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Co-founder, Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University
- Anant Agarwal, President, edX; Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT
- Stephen Hodownes, CEO, College of Continuing Education, Southern New Hampshire University
- Daphne Koller, Founder, Coursera; Rajeev Motwani Professor, Computer Science Department, Stanford University
- Bror Saxberg, Chief Learning Officer, Kaplan
Description
The purpose of this session was to discuss the challenges and opportunities online technologies may have on teaching, learning, and assessment. Topics: Applications of technology in diverse academic fields, from science and technology to arts and the humanities; integrating new technologies on and off campus; assessing student learning and outcomes in the online environment; and perspectives on the use of technologies in different academic settings, ranging from liberal arts colleges to research-intensive universities to community colleges.
Lunch
Session 3: Adapting to a Changing Landscape:
Addressing Institutional Barriers to Innovation
Keynote Address
Clayton M. Christensen, Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Panel Discussion
Interactive Group Discussion
Summary of Findings
Panelists
- Moderator: Martha L. Minow, Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor of Law and Dean, Harvard Law School
- George W. Breslauer, Provost, University of California, Berkeley
- W. Kent Fuchs, Provost, Cornell University
- Mark Kamlet, Provost, Carnegie Mellon University
- Anthony C. Masi, Provost, McGill University
Description
The purpose of this session was to discuss how institutions and their leaders can best enable technological innovation to further their academic and research missions. Topics: Balancing faculty workloads with incentives; managing the accreditation of programs, credentialing of students, and potential awarding of full degrees for online learning; developing financially sustainable models for online learning enterprises and understanding their possible impact on current revenue sources; fostering meaningful collaborations with other higher education institutions, foundations, and companies; and exploring the promise technologies might have for lowering educational and research costs and enabling global engagement.
Conclusions and Closing Remarks
Thomas L. Friedman, Foreign Affairs Columnist, The New York Times
Alan M. Garber, Provost, Harvard University
Chris A. Kaiser, Provost, MIT
Reception and Demonstrations