Whether we like it or not, the world in general, and education in particular, is becoming  increasingly dependent on technology. As the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear, computing  devices (desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smart phones) and the Internet are  becoming increasingly important to learning at almost every stage of life. The artificial  intelligence in the hardware and software on these learning devices is becoming increasingly  powerful. As more and more of these AI-powered devices interconnect, big data analytics,  blockchain-supported microcredentialing, mixed reality, and many other technologies will  become increasingly available for learning.  

The development and interaction of these myriad technologies will produce a dizzying variety of exciting affordances and opportunities while, however, further widening the digital divide  between rich and poor, young and old, male and female. It will be noted that while those on the  disenfranchised side of the divide might appear less dependent on technology for their learning,  in reality their need for technology is greater, for it is only through timely and effective access to  technology that they could jump across the ever widening knowledge divide.  

How might individuals and institutions successfully find their way through this bewildering  learning landscape of technological dependence and divide?

We invite all the learner-leaders in this summer institute—speakers and participants alike of the summer institute’s keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and seminars—to reflect on, and discuss answers to, this question. Only together can we successfully navigate technodependence.