Exploring the Context of Converged Learning: A Case Study in a Polytechnic University

James Lipuma, Cristo Leon

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a four-year polytechnic R01 research university in the United States utilized a participatory strategic planning process to implement an innovative approach to the modes of delivery for instruction that exist between face-to-face and online instruction. NJIT defines the spectrum of integration of online and on-ground instruction as Converged Education. This spectrum allows students to either participate face to face, join remotely through real-time video conferencing technology synchronously, or watch classroom instruction asynchronously.

The article opens with a general background of NJIT’s approach to the new idea of converged instructional delivery. It provides a brief history, context, and explanation of its interdisciplinary participatory strategic planning process. Then the paper describes the process of pilot testing that was conducted to determine how best to adopt the new modes of instruction across all disciplines. Next, the process for defining and clarifying the terms and conceptions of the various modes to be adopted is presented. After this, the paper discusses the impact of the shift of Web 1.0 to web 6.0 and how the different departments and sectors of NJIT worked on strategic planning together. Finally, the resulting implementation of the new policy and its reflection in course offerings is shown and discussed.

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