Top Higher Education Learning Trends to Look For in 2017
Hello, my name is Monica, and I am very interested in learning about new trends in technology especially for higher education. Technology is constantly on the “move” and changing at the speed of light! In my current role as the Accounts Receivable Manager at Waubonsee Community College, I observe and understand the need for our office to be current with technology. For example, students have options to pay their tuition and fees online, in-person, or by mail/fax. At majority of schools, students are not give the option to mail-in or fax their registration or payments. My office and most of the other departments are still handling a large volume of “paper”. Paperless is the way of the future. We need to work on getting rid of paper, and drive students to utilize our online portal for registration and payment activity. Students are using their phones and rely on having ways to register and pay by their phone or tablet. I read an article on trends in technology in Higher Education, and Mobile seems to come up quite a bit! More students are using their phones to do “business” for school, and we will be seeing in increase in mobile usage. The more access that we can provide students via their mobile phone or tablet will be beneficial to the institution as well. Higher Education institutions can get out communication quicker to students. This will also be away to attract new students and ensure students stay in school which impacts retention rates. Higher Education institutions need to be current with technology trends which can be a struggle if institutions do not have the funding or resources to bring on new technology on campus. The article discussed that the new technology trends include the following microlearning, the use of virtual reality, and high-velocity learning to engage, retain and prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. The article discussed personalization which provides the flexibility for students to learn at their own pace and decide on when they want to learn on their own which will help and cater to the non-traditional students since it seems this population has been increasing. Being able to provide flexibility and accessibility with little to no challenges will be key to the future. Offering more night courses, online, and weekend courses. Microlearning is “the concept of delivering content to learners in small, specific bursts over time or just when needed.” Breaking out the course into smaller time pockets of learning a subject matter will increase attention span and allow for the student to be able to use mobile technology. The article talks about Virtual reality which is becoming more and more discussed within higher education. Because of the affordability of this product it is not widely used currently. Just think, you could be placed in another country virtually within the classroom. It would be exciting and a new way of learning! High Velocity learning is about learning at a quicker speed and problem solving. Teachers could use video games, simulations, and role play techniques to teach the subject matter. All of these are trends that are on the move, and higher education will need to adapt to these changes and technological advances in order to attract students to their campus and provide accommodations for mobile friendly learning and teaching for success. Will Higher education evolve and adapt to these changes? Until next time!
Monica
Learning in the Digital Age 