Tapping into Research and Education Networks
Link: https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2016/08/11/Tapping-into-Research-and-Education-Networks.aspx?Page=1
Research and Education Networks, or RENs, are a network specifically aimed at connecting scholars to their peers working on similar studies. In effect, these networks are an internet for learning. They allow researchers to share their discoveries, encouraging other students to learn about and expand on their work. Universities suffer when using generic networks for these types of applications. When trying to share vast amounts data and collect hundreds of pages of studies, the standard network slows down. RENs offer a dedicated network specifically for this use.
As we have been learning, strong connections are not a great source for new information. Bridges are much more effective at introducing new information to a group. In this situation, each university serves as a relatively self-contained group, and the RENs are a service that actively establishes bridges to encourage the flow of information. A focused, calculated system of connecting scholars in related work is many times more effective than publishing a study and hoping someone else can expand upon it. RENs allow active discovery of similar endeavors, replacing the current, passive system.
The main issue with RENs, ironically, is that they can’t connect with the institutions that they would most help. Despite their expertise in connecting strangers, their lack of marketing experience leads to an unfocused marketing strategy. RENs are being developed as non-profits by people that are simply passionate about their work. This has lead to a highly developed product, but limited outreach. Although they excel at connecting scholars, they struggle to connect themselves to willing customers. And even when they do, the high cost can be a major deterrent. Some institutions can’t afford the fees associated with such a specified network. In the future, RENs will have a major impact on the landscape of education, but for now, there is a lot of work that has to be done to tap the deep potential they have to offer.