Exponential Technologies: Higher Education in an Era of Serial Disruptions

Exponential Technologies:Higher Education in an Era of Serial Disruptions provides an introduction to leaders in community colleges and universities to the near future impact of technologies that a developing in an exponential manner. Whereas past technologies grew in a linear pattern, gradually, the technologies of the twenty-first century develop in what appears initially to be gradual, almost off to side without much fanfare. However, the gradual process reaches a certain point when it suddenly, without warning, increases in speed phenomenally; it appears to come from nowhere to the surprise of many. Although the technologies first impact the business community, it rapidly follows up toward the educational environment. If leaders in higher education are unaware of the exponential growth of the technologies, the institutions they lead will be caught unprepared and may find it very difficult, if not impossible, to catch up. Moore’s law, which claims that computer power doubles every 18 months, is the force behind the exponential velocity. Leaders and faculty must become aware of the technologies and learn how to deal with them or the technologies will deal with the unprepared.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Chapter 1: The Disruption Tsunami Chapter 2: Near Term Digital Technologies Chapter 3: The Big Three Chapter 4: Operations Internally and Externally Chapter 5: Unaffected Occupations Chapter 6: Financial Planning Chapter 7: Exponential Administration Chapter 8: The Exponential Institution Chapter 9: Projections Chapter 10: Mission and Vision Chapter 11: Exponential Graduate Program Chapter 12: Future Technology Center Epilogue References

About the Author :
Darrel W. Staat served as president at two technical colleges in Maine, one community college in Virginia, and the South Carolina Technical College System. Currently, he is the Coordinator and professor of an Ed.D. program in community college administration at Wingate University, Ballantyne Campus in Charlotte North Carolina.

Review :
The author has written on an all too significant topic that, in fact, consumes my leadership energy as to decisions ahead for all higher education. The wave of technology and its impact on how higher education presidents lead should drastically impact our decisions on faculty training, creativity in curriculum design, procurement, and facilities. Darrel Staat’s Exponential Technologies: Higher Education in an Era of Serial Disruptions is a compelling read in these ever-challenging times. In this wide-ranging text, Staat exposes the impacts of new technologies within higher education and prepares us to face the rising tide of change. For too long, many of us in higher education, have assumed we are exempt from exponential change caused by technology. This book makes it clear that higher education’s approach to the teaching and learning process, in many ways, is fast becoming extinct. This book is an awakening that every college or university administrator and every faculty member should be required to read, to help us understand and prepare for the “disruption tsunamis” that are upon us. Eye opening book that must be read by higher education leaders who want to be successful with digital technology in the next decade. It will catch some higher education leaders off guard since they do not comprehend the rapid changes in technology that will impact their campuses. Dr. Darrel Staat brings to us the wisdom of a highly successful educational leader who has spent a lifetime devoted to education along with the insight of someone bold enough to look the future square in the eyes. This is a must-read for anyone working in education, especially those who want to remain in the game. Dr. Darrel Staat is the perfect person to write this book. A leader in community college higher education for four decades, Staat brings new insight and perspective into what the enterprise of higher education will encounter in the next 50 years and beyond. Staat makes a convincing case that should our industry be unwilling to adapt, it will get left behind.