Our Four Pillars- Research & Scholarship

At the Technology Knowledge Community (TKC) business meeting held during NASPA 2014, the team took a step back from our many projects, ideas, and ‘what if’s’ to focus in on our why. Just as technology is rapidly changing the faces, places, and spaces of higher education, the TKC was also moving quickly between and within many different initiatives, without always landing on a central purpose or vision. Over a delicious Inner Harbor meal, the Chair and Chair-Elect identified what have now become to be known as the Four Pillars of the TKC: concepts and guiding lights that direct our work and provide context for not just what we do, but why we do it.

Technology requires significant and ongoing learning in order to ensure the timely, productive, and student-focused use of new and emerging tools. The Technology Knowledge Community is committed to supporting and creating opportunities to advance research and scholarship in this dynamic field, by connecting potential research partners and providing a platform for the dissemination of and communal dialogue around new discoveries and ideas related to technology in higher education. We strive to make this an interdisciplinary process, bringing to the table scholar-practitioners from around the world and from different functional areas and industries, while simultaneously ensuring that the opportunity to learn from, participate in, and develop research and scholarship that is accessible for all members. As a practice-focused community with a strong tie to academia, the TKC serves as a place for new and emerging ideas to be shared, debated, and put into practice.

For almost two years members of the TKC have been exploring the possibility of an academic, peer-reviewed journal, related to technology that could be published under the NASPA umbrella of publications. We want the journal to be academically rigorous, but with a quick review and turn around time so research on technology is able to be published before it is out of date. Early this year that work culminated in a proposal that was submitted to Routledge for the Journal of Emerging Practice in Technology and Higher Education (JEPTHE). The proposal, including the journal title, are currently under review and we hope to make an announcement on the future of the journal by the 2015-2016 academic year.

We have two other projects in the works for this pillar: the reintroduction of the #NASPAtech conference, and the establishment of a TKC research agenda. The TKC will play an active role in discussing and setting the strategic direction for the conference, and will be providing insight and ideas as the planning process takes shape. To fuel the innovation we hope will take place in these conferences, the TKC is working with faculty from around NASPA to establish a technology focused research agenda. We’re currently looking for individuals who are interested in participating in this process or suggestions for faculty/researchers who should be included in our work. Please connect with us to share your ideas.

The future of this pillar is limitless. As higher education graduate programs continue to develop more scholar/practitioners, we must find ways in which we can support the need for the creation of scholarship within the limitations of our day-to-day positions. We are hopeful that our work in this regard can create a dynamic agenda for NASPA that explores the potential and possibilities technologies offers our work, while at the same time grounding the flashy in concrete research and understanding. More and more technology classes are appearing in higher education preparation classes, and we hope to provide guiding materials for items that should be considered and included in this important work. Creating the framework for a roadmap that will guide graduate and doctoral preparation for years to come.

Identifying and defining our Pillars is the combined hard work for the TKC team and all its members. With the one year anniversary of our first Pillars conversation coming up, we’re reaching out again. Have these ideas stood the test of time? What’s missing? What’s awesome? Share your thoughts with us - comment below, or tweet at @NASPA_TKC. You can also find us on Facebook by searching for NASPA Technology Knowledge Community.

Author Bios

Matthew Brinton is the Chair of the NASPA Technology Knowledge Community and the Associate Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Northern Colorado. You can follow him at http://www.twitter.com/mcbrinton

Lisa Endersby is the Chair-Elect of the NASPA Technology Knowledge Community, an Editor with the Student Affairs Collective and one of a select few who has high fived a real, live, adorable, penguin. You can follow and connect with her at http://www.twitter.com/lmendersby.