Track: Engineering Management

Abstract

Online distance learning (ODL) has empowered traditional and non-traditional students to the point that there is a total transformation, from the makeup of student bodies to the way education is delivered. Higher education is rapidly changing, and technology is the catalyst of this change. The impact of emerging technologies and the affordances of these technologies improve access and therefore democratization of education and cost issues for students. While allowing higher education institutions to reach traditional and non-traditional students on their terms; in their own time and at their convenience. To elucidate the idea of the impact of technology in education with regards to the democratization of education, trends of emerging technologies in online learning in the next 5 years and beyond are examined. This paper reports on examining technologies that are and could be catalysts of social transformation in the next five years and beyond. A preliminary investigation based on a qualitative research approach suggests a constant evolution of emerging technologies and an apparent contribution to the democratization of education. This report will present the impact of changes in an online paradigm and the support afforded through fostering a sense of community in a potentially cold social environment.