Theoretical and Instrumental Rationales of Student Empowerment through Social and Web-Based Technologies

Abstract

Empowering students in public affairs education is vital to the mission of developing effective and ethical public servants. Emergent technologies present new opportunities for modeling, simulating, and/or re-creating complex environments in which students are likely to find themselves after completion of their studies. This article offers a conceptual framing for empowering students using social and web-based technologies across face-to-face, online, and virtual world classes using communication tools that are synchronous, asynchronous, and automated pre-scripted. It further specifies six student- and instructor-based rationales for empowerment: (a) Develop ethical reasoning and judgment in complex contexts, (b) Develop leadership and management skills in complex contexts, (c) Develop ownership in the learning process, (d) Provide space to allow the teacher to show passion and engage that passion with students, (e) Ensure buy-in to course objectives, and (f) Ensure buy-in to course content delivery methods. Suggestions to faculty to strategically design courses to empower students using technology are offered in conclusion.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas A. Bryer

Thomas A. Bryer is director of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management and assistant professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida. His research and teaching focuses on public participation and collaborative governance. He has published in numerous journals, including Public Administration Review, American Review of Public Administration, Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, Administrative Theory & Praxis, and Journal of Public Affairs Education. He has won four awards for teaching, including an award for excellence in graduate teaching and an award for his scholarship of teaching and learning.

Daniel Seigler

Daniel (Danny) Seigler is a doctoral student in the School of Public Affairs and an instructional designer for the Center of Distributive Learning at the University of Central Florida. His research interests include collaborative governance and the use of social media to engage citizens in public decision making.