Higher education is being pummeled by the Covid-19 pandemic. This spring’s campus shutdowns led to a quick rush to “remote learning,” exposing the fragmented adoption of high-quality education technology and digital capabilities across thousands of colleges and universities. The tumultuous fall semester, complete with aborted campus openings and widely diverging online and blended options, has only increased the pressure on America’s colleges and universities.
The Pandemic Pushed Universities Online. The Change Was Long Overdue.
Which institutions will seize the moment to transform, and which will be left behind?
September 29, 2020
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Summary.
Pre-pandemic, there was already widespread acknowledgement that the traditional higher education business model is seriously challenged. Fall 2020 marks a clear inflection point as students, educators, and government leaders alike scrutinize the price and value proposition of higher education through the new lens of traditional classroom versus multiple modes of digital delivery. What’s more, machine learning, SMS messaging, and AI are having a growing impact in optimizing student services and support. These technological developments make it imperative for college leaders and the policymakers who govern them to make digital transformation and technology a much more central strategic priority, especially when it comes to their core businesses: learning and credentialing. This school year marks a major inflection point for America’s colleges and universities. Which institutions will seize the moment to transform, and which ones will be left behind?