Which ICT-based innovations are potentially disruptive to current models of higher education?

A disruptive innovation is an innovation that disrupts an existing market. The term was coined by Clayton Christensen as "disruptive technology" in 1995. Christensen said "generally, disruptive innovations were technologically straightforward, consisting of off-the-shelf components put together in a product architecture that was often simpler than prior approaches."

"Low end disruption" occurs when a simpler, cheaper and lower-performing offering that still meets customer needs enters the market and undermines ostensibly more sophisticated offerings.

"New market disruption" occurs when an innovation enables a new or emerging market segment that is not being served by existing incumbents in the industry.

Disruptive innovation is frequently seen as a threat to existing well-run businesses but it can also be seen as an opportunity for those capable of harnessing the innovation.

For more information on the usage of "disruptive innovation" and examples see wikipedia (link).

We invite you to contribute to a brainstorm on the question: "which ICT-based innovations are potentially disruptive to current models of higher education (forms of teaching, assessment, course structure, estate, research and research management, student management,  etc...)?"

The brainstorm has three main parts: a “blank sheet of paper” for your initial ideas, some stimulus/prompts to look at the question from a different point of view, and ranking the ideas of other people for probability and impact. This will take a bit of time and thought but you can return several times according to your mood and inspiration.

The closing date is December 10th and a report that draws out the key messages will be published a few weeks later. This report will help to shape JISC's support for the sector in harnessing innovation and we hope it will help you and your colleagues too.

Click 'Begin' to start.