The Future of Higher Education Is Now Driven by The Learner
Universities, State and Community Colleges around the U.S. have historically always been behind the technology curve when it comes to online access to applications, enrollment forms, acceptance information and even the development and implementation of 100% online or even hybrid course options to help drive student success. It is only since 2020 – when the global pandemic instantly changed how quickly higher education institutions needed to adapt and change to remote teaching and learning – did we see any advancements in the services needed for students and universities alike to survive the crisis. And while we all applaud university and college institutions for their successful accomplishments of adapting in record time, John O’brien, President and CEO of Educause points out that “Technology today in higher education can no longer simply be seen as a utility working in the background, it must become the vital strategic asset for the success of every institution” (2020).
Over the last 18 to 24 months, higher education IT departments have done their absolute best to solve for challenges with lab courses, test proctoring, privacy concerns and even solving for simple student access to broadband. In a recent Educause Quickpoll, as many as 36 percent of students have found it to be moderately to extremely difficult to access wifi (O’Brien, 2020). The reality is, with the continuance of the pandemic, universities need to accept that distance learning is now going to quickly become the norm, and providing needed services for student success, including access to broadband must resolved as quickly as possible.
Even though a handful of colleges and universities have begun to focus on a new technological digital transformation (Dx) which is designed to improve the institutions operations through coordinated shifts in workforce and technology, it is neither fast nor far reaching enough to outpace the technological changes that are coming (Grajek, Reinitz, 2019). Right now, the near universal use of mobile devices and almost constant access to internet services means today’s students are beginning to seek and demand anytime, anyplace access to a more personalized educational experience.
Today’s “digital native” Millennial and Gen Z students have been raised on digital technology and instant access to everything they want and need – music, movies, news and social entertainment – and it is no different for higher education. Colleges and universities must now be prepared to adapt to the consumer demand, and provide a more affordable, flexible and competency-based educational experience.
Harvard University professor and higher education expert, the late Clay Christensen argued that rapid changes in higher education will soon disrupt the industry making traditional models obsolete. Today’s student, who has been forced into this new technology transformation due to the pandemic, is now quickly adapting and demanding greater access and usability.
When combined with new “just-in-time” educational opportunities provided from competency-based programs, non-degree certifications, and an increased demand for upskilling and or reskilling of the workforce through micro and alternative-credentials, colleges and universities must now adapt their old model, and unbundle their programs and services to meet increasing student demand (Levine, Van Pelt, 2021). Rapid advancements in technology are driving how, what, where and when today’s student receives their education, it will no longer be determined by the university, placing the future of higher education directly in the hands of the learner.
References
Grajek, S., Brooks, C. (2020). How Technology Can Support Student Success during COVID-19. Educause. https://er.educause.edu/blogs/2020/3/how-technology-can-support-student-success-during-covid19
Levine, A., Van Pelt, S. (2021). The Future of Higher Ed Is Occurring at the Margins. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2021/10/04/higher-education-should-prepare-five-new-realities-opinion#at_pco=cfd-1.0
Obrien, J. (2020). More Than a Lifeline. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2020/05/05/covid-19-has-demonstrated-how-technology-higher-ed-major-strategic-asset-opinion