Cyprien Lomas Amod Lele Kyle Dickson; EDUCAUSE
When the pandemic suspended most in-person learning, colleges and universities turned to video technologies as one of their primary strategies to maintain instructional continuity while faculty and students were confined to their homes. Instructors who had rarely or never used video for teaching began to, and those who had previously used video often expanded that use. Many lessons were learned about the tradeoffs of synchronous versus asynchronous video, and even as the pandemic fades and in-person classes resume, video will remain an element of learning for many faculty.
April 24, 2021
7 Things You Should Know About Teaching and Learning with Video
April 23, 2021
15 Mistakes Instructors Have Made Teaching with Technology in the Pandemic
By Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology
There’s a lot that faculty have done right teaching with technology during the COVID-19 pandemic — but there have also been times when technology use has been subpar. In a recent Educause survey, the majority of students reported that their instructors communicated and used technology effectively in their courses, whether learning took place online, face-to-face, synchronously, asynchronously or some combination thereof. At the same time, technology glitches and pedagogical misfires have at times led to more negative student experiences.
21 Ways to Structure an Online Discussion, Part Three
Annie Prud’homme-Généreux, Faculty Focus
In this five-part article series, we look at ideas for structuring an online discussion. These inspirations were chosen because they address concerns that discussion forums need to give learners options in the way they participate, in the way they give each learner the opportunity to contribute something unique that is worth reading (i.e. the responses are not repetitive), and learners have an opportunity to express themselves and form communities (Schultz et al., 2020).
Share on FacebookWhat impact do non-degree credentials have?
Kristen Mitchell, eCampus News
Non-degree credentials have been looked at as a potential lifeboat for displaced workers in the hospitality and restaurant industries that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kyle Albert, assistant research professor and co-author of the report. Research shows, however, that not all programs are created equal and market value fluctuates between fields. “On average non-degree credentials seem to be associated with higher earnings for those who do get them,” he said. “But there are some patterns of inequality around who earns credentials and who benefits from them that are concerning.” Researchers need better access to data about non-degree credentials, Dr. Albert said. Better access to data would enable researchers to build tools and platforms to help individuals connect with non-degree credentials that will optimize career mobility.
https://www.ecampusnews.com/2021/04/07/what-impact-do-non-degree-credentials-have/
Share on FacebookApril 22, 2021
AI is revolutionizing education
Hosni Zaouali, eCampus News
Artificial intelligence will accelerate the evolution of teaching and learning. Overall, AI should allow students to get personalized instruction and teachers to have more free time to prepare classes and update their information. While it’s still too early to evaluate the extent of the change in the quality and scope of instruction that AI might achieve, what is certain is that it will cause a revolution. That is because educational systems around the world remain rooted in the foundations established in the 1800s. Most of all, AI will crush the idea that all students must learn in the same place, in the same way, and at the same speed.
https://www.ecampusnews.com/2021/04/08/ai-is-revolutionizing-education/
Share on FacebookUniversities call for clearer rules on science espionage
University World News
The United States government is converging on a long-awaited set of rules designed to protect American science from theft by foreign spies. A series of announcements this year describe steps that US universities and researchers must take when reporting foreign financing and collaborations to US science funders. But university groups say they need more clarity on how to implement the rules. And the guidelines do not spell out how institutions can address concerns of racial profiling sparked by the US government’s crackdown on foreign interference in recent years, writes Nidhi Subbaraman for Nature.
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2021041013054818
Share on FacebookDebunking six continuing fallacies of higher education
Sanjit Sethi and Elliot Felix, University World News
We call these assumptions the six fallacies of higher education:
• There is a ‘traditional student’.
• Learning happens Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, in autumn and spring.
• The campus is for classes.
• We measure student success solely academically.
• Costs can increase faster than quality.
• Accreditation ensures excellence.
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210405080338394
Share on FacebookApril 21, 2021
It’s Time for Open Educational Resources
Ray Schroeder, Inisde Higher Ed
Learning before the 21st century was mostly about accessing and retaining theories, facts and figures; now it is mostly about applying theories, facts and figures in creative and critical ways to solve problems and advance society. Increasingly, higher education is less about memorization and more about problem solving. Over all, many students seem to do better in classes where the textbooks are open. It may not be that the OER materials are superior — rather it may be that when the class materials are free, students actually obtain and use them. C. Edward Watson, CIO and associate vice president for curricular and pedagogical innovation at the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and co-author Barbara Illowsky describe their “epiphany” in discovering the meaningfulness and impact on equity and affordability of using OER. “Yet one of the best-kept secrets for improving student equity and college affordability is within the hands of faculty: using Open Educational Resources (OER) in their courses instead of commercial textbooks and paid electronic materials.”
Share on FacebookDesigning virtual learning to deliver application and impact: 20 powerful techniques
Patti P. Phillips, Jack J. Phillips, Chief Learning Officer
With much of learning and development converted to a virtual format these days, a critical question is being raised. Is virtual learning working? This question is being asked by executives in organizations, and when they ask it, they are not concerned about whether the participants are actually learning. Rather, they are concerned about participants using what they’ve learned and whether it is having an impact in the organization. Executives want virtual learning to drive impact, as demonstrated by specific business measures. Almost a decade ago, in his book, “Learning Everywhere: How Mobile Content Strategies are Transforming Training,” Chad Udel suggested that virtual learning should drive high-level business results.
Share on FacebookBiden seeks extra $400 a year in Pell grants for college and to expand aid to Dreamers
Greg Iacurci, CNBC
President Joe Biden is seeking an additional $3 billion in Department of Education funding for federal Pell grants, which are for families who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The budget proposal would offer students an extra $400 a year in grant funds. It would be the biggest annual increase since 2009, according to the administration. The request would also make Pell grants available to undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers.
Our OER Epiphany: Advocating for Open Educational Resources as Tools for Affordability and Equity
C. Edward Watson & Barbara Illowsky, AAU&P Liberal Ed Blog
As your institution looks to the 2021–22 academic year, what can you, your colleagues, and your institution do to further the goals of student equity and college affordability? How might you launch or accelerate efforts associated with OER? Now is an excellent time to learn more, plan for the future, become an OER advocate, and examine how you and your institution might add OER to your portfolio of student success and equity initiatives.
Share on FacebookApril 20, 2021
UW System planning to expand its online learning platform targeting adults
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin System is planning to expand its online education platform, especially for adult learners. The program will target about 815,000 adults in Wisconsin who have some college credit experience, but no degree, according to the UW System. Leaders say adult learners prefer to earn their education through an online platform. It also plans to communicate with employers to decide which career-ready programs to develop.
https://www.news8000.com/uw-system-planning-to-expand-its-online-learning-platform-targeting-adults/
Share on FacebookStudents Complain: Too Much (Busy) Work in Online Classes
By Dian Schaffhauser, Campus Technology
Almost three in five students (59 percent) in a recent survey complained that they are doing more assignments online than they ever did in their in-person classes, and nearly as many (55 percent) protested that much of it felt like “busy work.” The survey, sponsored by education publisher Wiley, was done by 1,046 business majors attending four-year colleges and universities as undergraduate or graduate students in the United States.
Employers say college grads lack needed skills, but that could be changing, survey finds
Hallie Busta, HigherEd Dive
Employers remain confident in the value of higher education but continue to think new graduates lack the skills needed to succeed in the workplace, according to a survey of nearly 500 executives and hiring managers. It is the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ seventh survey of employers, and past iterations showed a similar disconnect between companies and colleges. However, the latest findings show graduates are getting better at communicating their skills and that employers’ views vary by age.
Share on FacebookApril 19, 2021
Online learning boomed during the pandemic—but what happens when students return to classrooms?
Abigail Johnson Hess, CNBC
“The growth has been pretty staggering,” says Anant Agarwal, founder and CEO of online learning platform edX. “We saw a 15-fold, not 15%, a 15-fold increase in the number of new learners registering on edX during the month of April 2020. And in fact, for the year through November 2020, compared to the year through November 2019, the number of new registrations on edX went up by 161%.” Agarwal credits the increase not only to the number of workers who became unemployed during the pandemic and began taking online classes during their job search but also to the many workers who became increasingly concerned about up-skilling.
Share on FacebookMicrosoft and LinkedIn Expand Global Skills Initiative
Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology
To help job seekers gain the skills they need for employment in today’s economy, Microsoft and LinkedIn are extending their global skills initiative through the end of 2021, providing free LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn courses as well as low-cost certifications that align to in-demand jobs. Areas of focus include customer service, project management, data analysis, software development and more. “Over the past year, we’ve seen the pandemic hit people who can bear it the least,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith, in a statement. “We are doubling down at LinkedIn and across Microsoft with new work to support a more inclusive skills-based labor market, creating more alternatives, greater flexibility, and accessible learning paths that connect these more readily with new jobs.”
Share on FacebookRice’s OpenStax opens applications for 2021-2022 Institutional Partner Program
Jeff Falk, Rice University
OpenStax, Rice’s educational technology initiative, announced today that applications for its 2021-2022 Institutional Partner Program are now open. U.S. colleges and universities looking to expand open education advocacy and adoption of open educational resources (OER) to support their students can apply for the free program. The Institutional Partner Program provides higher education institutions with free coaching, training and support as they work to increase the use of OpenStax and other OER among their faculty and students. While the support that each school receives is individualized, admitted institutions will collaborate within a cohort and a larger network of over 50 colleges and universities that have completed the program since 2015. The deadline to apply is May 3. Institutions for the 2021-2022 cohort will be selected in July.
Share on FacebookApril 18, 2021
UAkron Faculty Shifts to Online Education in Innovative Ways due to COVID-19
Stephanie Fairchild, Buchtelite
The pandemic has abruptly changed the lives of both students and faculty here at The University of Akron. After writing an article last fall about how students were feeling about the transition to online learning, I wanted to give the faculty a chance to showcase how they have innovated within the shift. Four UA professors discuss adjustments and achievements in the classroom.
Share on FacebookOnline Learning is Exhausting
Samantha De Loera, St. Xavier Student Media
There is a little bit over a month left of the spring semester at Saint Xavier. This semester has been really stressful for me, so I could not be happier that the semester is almost over. School is already stressful enough as is, and going to college during a pandemic is definitely not making it any easier. I am currently taking all online classes this semester, and I can say that there are both pros and cons to this. I like having all online classes because I am able to stay in the comfort of my own home while I do my homework or join zoom classes.
https://sxustudentmedia.com/online-learning-is-exhausting/
Share on FacebookZoom Meetings Are Here to Stay: Can We Beat the Fatigue?
Knowledge at Wharton
Barankay said videoconferencing has replaced personal engagement, which is one of the biggest sources of creativity and innovation in an office setting. With video, there are no chance encounters, casual conversations, or other interactions that can spark ideas. It’s also harder for employees to feel connected to each other or to a larger mission when all their conversations are on screen. “People have to hop off one Zoom meeting and hop on to the next one. They don’t really have room to breathe, to then become really settled and engaged with the meeting,” he said.
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/zoom-meetings-are-here-to-stay-can-we-beat-the-fatigue/
Share on FacebookApril 17, 2021
Udacity Adds School of Cybersecurity
Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology
Online learning platform Udacity has launched a School of Cybersecurity, a set of nanodegree programs aimed at training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Each program offers instructor-led sessions and hands-on projects tailored to real-world scenarios, to provide learners with practical experience, skills and resources in the field. The School of Cybersecurity curriculum currently encompasses four nanodegrees.
https://campustechnology.com/articles/2021/04/02/udacity-adds-school-of-cybersecurity.aspx
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