Online Class Explores New Ways of Thinking and Learning

Linkages Among Technology, Economics and Society, a graduate-level course developed and taught by biological and agricultural engineering professor Otto Loewer, is not a typical engineering course. “This is an interdisciplinary course that appeals most to those who enjoy such things as history, politics, business, economics, and exploring the role of technology and engineering, both in the past and in the foreseeable future,” Loewer explains in the syllabus.

The class, which is cross listed in biological engineering and operations management, is taught entirely online through the university’s Blackboard system. Loewer has also authored a digital textbook for the course, also titled Linkages Among Technology, Economics and Society, using Apple’s new iBookstore program. This program allows him to publish the text in a format that is inexpensive, interactive and easy to update.

In the class, students look at different political and cultural issues and explore the ways in which economic and technological factors influence these issues. Loewer points out that the course is not technical, and it is a good course for students interested in public policy. Loewer hopes to help his students learn new ways of thinking that will stay with them throughout their careers. “I’m promoting more enlightened leadership,” he said, “through a new conceptual model for understanding change.  The goal is that this new way of looking at the world will lead to more effective communication and, as a result, to sustainable prosperity and well being.”

Loewer explained that the class works well online, because students can work at their own pace, from wherever they are. The class assignments include blog posts and video presentations, and students are required to comment on their classmates’ posts. Loewer sees this online discussion as an integral part of the class, a way for students to learn from each other and recognize other points of view. “They learn to differ professionally without assaulting each other,” he said. “They understand there is more than one side to these issues.”

Loewer offers the course in both 8-week terms and in full semester formats. It is open to all graduate students at the University of Arkansas. The course listing for this class is BENG 5633/OMGT 5633.