Engaged By Design
Engaged By Design
Podcast Description
Exploring innovation trends in learning, design, leadership, and change management in higher education. Experienced, successful leaders who have been there, done that, and own the t-shirt share perspectives and lessons learned from more than two decades of online learning and student success.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast revolves around significant topics such as leadership in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment, innovative approaches to online learning, and change management. For instance, episodes delve into strategies like the MACRO leadership model, showcasing how leaders can effectively engage learners and navigate institutional challenges to drive sustainable growth.
Exploring innovation trends in learning, design, leadership, and change management in higher education. Experienced, successful leaders who have been there, done that, and own the t-shirt share perspectives and lessons learned from more than two decades of online learning and student success.
Other Podcast Providers:
Amazon: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Engaged-By-Design/B0DB9GZV7F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-engaged-by-design-283650488/
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/engaged-by-design-6102170
Welcome to Season 2 of the Engaged by Design podcast! In this kickoff episode, Dr. Michael Cottam interviews his co-host Dr. Vernon Smith—this time in the role of featured guest—to explore how artificial intelligence, economic pressures, and platformization are driving the unbundling of professional roles in higher education.
Drawing from Vernon’s dissertation research and recent policy shifts, this episode dives deep into what’s happening behind the scenes of your course shell, syllabus, or advising software.
🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- What “unbundling” means and how it applies to the faculty role
- Examples from other industries (like restaurants and healthcare) that mirror higher ed’s transformation
- The difference between Craft, Collegial, and Virtual Assembly Line course models
- How AI and automation are accelerating labor and capital substitutions
- What roles and tasks are most likely to remain “bundled”—and which will be offloaded or outsourced
🧠 Reflective Questions:
- Is your role being unbundled as we speak?
- Where do you see unbundling happening in your institution or department?
- What parts of your professional bundle feel irreplaceable—and what could be supported or restructured?
🎧 Mentioned in the Episode:
- Vernon’s dissertation on course production models in community college e-learning
- The rise of OPMs (Online Program Managers) and revenue-share outsourcing
- William Baumol’s theory of cost disease and its relevance to education
- Real-world analogies from restaurants, healthcare, and gig-based platforms
🔗 Next Up:
In Episode 2, we’ll explore how to rebundle intentionally—focusing on human-centered leadership, MACRO strategies, and what should never be outsourced in the student experience.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions with us at EngagedByDesign.com and join the conversation on LinkedIn or your favorite podcast platform.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with colleagues navigating the future of learning and leadership!
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