Higher Education is Changing and So Should We? Online and Ground Systems

 Higher Education is changing and the world between online and ground professors are also changing to create blended universities. There are some differences between the two modes of teaching but the fundamentals of knowledge transfer are still the same. Blending traditional and online systems is something that already started but the culture has not yet caught up to these changes (Its normal that culture is slower to change.). Thus the next generation of professors and students will be very much open to teaching and learning on ground and online. 

There are natural advantages and disadvantages to both mediums of education. One provides convenience and the other provides a culture. There are also differences in terms of how we interact on ground and how we interact online. Ground provides rich educational culture (and other advantages) while online is becoming more relevant for the digital economy and is more convenient for continuing education (as well as non-traditional students.)

Our economy is evolving and changing quickly. People will need to go back to school to update their skills more frequently then they did during the Industrial Era. That can be difficult in a traditional campus environment unless one lives in the immediate vicinity of a University. If you want to complete your school work while taking care of kids or working your job the commitment for ground classes are much more than online (In the old old model many had to quit work to go to school.😬 Lost human capital!). 

However, it is also that level of commitment and the way online education is viewed that creates the problem. Students in online education often view schooling like a long term service that helps them achieve their goals versus a single four/five year campus commitment. Take a couple of classes and then take a break because life is chaotic and then come back and take some more classes when ready is the mindset some students maintain (Nothing inherently wrong with it if we encourage them to keep going and get right back in.). 

Bouncing in and out can cause havoc on traditional college metrics. Two different modes and the same benchmark for each. Its hard to sort of move beyond that because of many facets and layers of culture and interests. Broadening when/how someone is considered "drop out" and when they are "engaged in life" could change those metrics.  Is it accurate? It depends on who you ask and where their interests lay.

That doesn't excuse universities from doing their best to retain college students through strong curriculum, engaging coursework, student services/help, institutional culture, quality faculty, connecting often and mentoring students throughout their programs (Personally, I think it would be helpful to reach out to struggling students and have a mentor connect with them to encourage them to stay focused on finishing. A single point of reference/human face to reach out.). Either way we will discuss and struggle with which is the best path forward as far as ground or online provides the most societal benefit. Likely, like lots of other things, it won't be all one way or another way, but a greater awareness of how they work together to create national competitiveness. 

Perhaps we can get them to adapt and enhance each other to improve our lagging international educational competitiveness? 🤷 that would require an awful lot of 👂🦻 (Oh wait! Listening before concluding is what higher education teaches us. How are we doing on our critical thinking skills? A+ or D+? Don't let grade inflation fool you! 💖)