Jan. 8, 2009

Are the walls of the ‘ivory tower’ breached?

Shelleyann Scott

“It has led us to ask if in fact the walls of the ‘ivory tower’ have forever been breached.”

Scott and colleague Dr. Kathryn C. Dixon of Australia’s Curtin University of Technology found this question so compelling that they recently published a book on the subject: The Globalised University: Trends and Challenges in Teaching and Learning.

The volume compiles commentaries from international academic leaders, including one case study that offers “rare insight” into the tensions of a Middle Eastern private university.

“However, the most prevalent concerns among global universities tend to fall into general categories, including a focus on the quality of learning and teaching, and the reality of students as critical consumers of education.”

Another strong international development is the growing emergence of courses that use information communication technologies (ICT). “One chapter outlines the dilemmas of the increasing transparency of online teaching strategies and course materials, which tend to expose academics to increased scrutiny and critique.”

The book also looks at the growing tendency for students to consider training over education. “Recent research suggests that in the U.S., over two thirds of all jobs require only short- or moderate-term workplace training.

“In the meantime, we invite our academic colleagues to engage with the issues facing modern universities and to have an active part in shaping future directions, rather than passively living with the consequences of change. We live and work in exciting times and should be embracing the opportunities they present,” says Scott.

For more information about The Globalised University: Trends and Challenges in Teaching and Learning, contact Shelleyann Scott at sscott@ucalgary.ca.