Hey folks – I just saw this article from Campus Technology focused on key learning technologies as we move forward, and I figured I would share! Specifically, they’re pointing to the recent EDUCAUSE Horizon Report that lays out important technological issues facing higher education. Overall, they point to six especially important areas to consider:
• Artificial intelligence
• Blended/hybrid courses
• Learning analytics
• Microcredentialing (more commonly called badges)
• Open Educational Resources
• Quality Online Learning
The Campus Technology article is a little bit limited in how they address each of these, but they do link out to the EDUCASE website, which further links to the full Horizon Report as well, and those resources are where we can find more to dig into. Perhaps unsurprisingly, blended/hybrid models and quality online learning are the two most important factors post-pandemic per the report’s findings. I was especially excited to see things like microcredentialing (including specific reference to using microcredentials/badges alongside game-based learning) and OERs show up as particularly important (3.2 and 3.1 out of a 4-point scale, respectively, too).
Possibly most important for us at Kirkwood, though, is the section dedicated to U.S. Community Colleges, which specifically highlights microcredentials/badges, OERs, and flexible course design. That seems to fit pretty well with our experience this last academic year, with flexibility often at the forefront of our minds!
