Last week I flipped through the University of New Hampshire alumni magazine when it came in the mail, scanning my class notes to see who died, re-married, got an interesting new job. Another page caught my eye. "Being Disruptive -- in a Good Way" by UNH president Mark Huddleston.
Mark explained that he had heard Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, speak at "The Future of Public Universities" conference -- and that speech "wowed" him, and inspired him to begin creating a disruptive new educational model for UNH. A model that would help more students learn -- for less.
What if we allowed online instruction to provide, where appropriate, the foundational knowledge, and directed students' time on campus toward learning activities that maximize the benefits of these mentor relationships?
As online instruction improves, might we not devote more class time to teaching methods that take real advantage of students' time together, such as team projects, discussions and critiques?
The article went on to talk about UNH's new eUNH initiative to identify ways to use online learning to improve teaching and help students progress faster.
Aside from being intrigued with disruptive models, here's what I liked about Mark's article. It mobilized me to want to write a check to support the university.
Few of us want to work for -- or financially support -- organizations that are plodding along, doing the same things well. We want to be inspired by leaders and organizations that create new ways to support visions we care about. And who have the courage, leadership skills and discipline to move forward despite often formidable opposition.
(Sadly, last April the New Hampshire chapter of the union American Association of University Professors gave a 129 to 72 "no confidence" vote in his leadership. The change involved in disruptive innovation inevitably threatens some who would like things to continue as they have been.)
- If you want to mobilize supporters, do more than more of the same.
- When a leader has the courage to create disruptive models, step up and support him or her. It's lonely being a game changer.
Now to write that check...