Heerdink's EdD Journey

Blogging Prompt:
“How are you seeing creativity in the students/learners that you work with on a regular basis? What is at least one issue/problem that you are seeing in your school/organization that needs improvement? How could you use methods such as personal analogy method or the fantasy method to address?”

As a Director of Information Technology in higher education, my interactions with students may not be as frequent as those of educators, but the impact of my decisions of students learning experience is still important in my own opinion. In the realm of educational technology, creativity is not just an asset, it is a necessity. It is the creative solutions that bridge the gap between technology and student success.

A persistent issue in our educational system is the digital divide. Despite the advances in tech, there remains a gap between the resources available and their effective implementation in the learning process. The challenge is not just providing the hardware but ensuring that technology is accessible, intuitive, and enriching for all students.

How do we address these challenges creatively? Let’s take the personal analogy method. If I were to imagine myself as a student in today’s tech driven academic environment, I might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tools at my disposal. Or maybe, I might feel frustrated by the lack of integration between these tools and my learning needs. By placing myself in the students’ shoes, I can begin to understand the nuances of their experiences and work on designing technology solutions that are more user-friendly, supportive, and aligned with their educational journeys.

On the other hand the fantasy method allows me to break free from the constraints of reality and envision the idea state. I can imagine a campus where technology adapts in real-time to the needs of each students, an AI-driven mentor that guides leaners through their whole academic career, a way to provide resources and support exactly when and where it is needed. While this sounds like a sci-fi movie, parts of this fantasy could be used to inform our strategic planning, inspiring us to create more adaptive learning management systems and student support networks.

Creativity in Educational Technology in not just about new gadgets and the latest software, it is about reimagining the learning landscape. By using personal analogy, we empathize and tailor our approach to meet student needs. Through the lens of fantasy, we innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Together, these methods drive us to not only dream bigger but to create a more inclusive, intuitive, and inspiring educational environment for all students.

Even though my role has turned into largely strategic, it is still clear to me that every decision we make in IT can foster an environment where creativity and technology go hand in hand, hopefully paving the way for students to achieve their full potential.