No generation is more at ease with collaborative, online technologies that the today’s digital natives who are immersed in computing environment. Where pen and notebooks formed the toolkit of previous generations, today’s learners come to class armed
with laptops, smart phone and iPod. The current era of pervasive technology has substantial implication to education.
Technological innovation, a hallmark of academic research, is changing the way that students learn and universities teach.
For learning institutions, charged with the responsibility of equipping students to compete in the current knowledge economy, the prospects are great. Distance learning, opportunity to work with researcher across the globe and the sophisticated systems of learning management, are just a fraction of the transformational benefits that academic institutions are embracing. However, substantial challenges also loom.
Despite its benefits, technology is still a disruptive innovation, as well as an expensive one. Faculty members are forced to invest time in learning new approaches with little budget support. With technology, students are more than ever engaged in creating their own knowledge. Distance learning and online degree programs have gained firm foothold in academic institutions all over the globe. What was once regarded as the niche channel for the delivery of educative content is rapidly becoming mainstream, increasing access to education, expanded revenue opportunities and new market for content for universities.
Social networking is now used as a tool for supporting career activates and building connections with alumni.
Electronic-marketing campaigns expend the success and reach of recruiting as well as fundraising efforts, ultimately driving down the cost of direct mail campaigns. Self-service, automated programs reduce administrative requirements, enhance academic life and streamline course registration. Although participants perceive such changes as having a largely positive effect, a number of institutions struggle with the challenges of rising cost of information technology and avoiding technological obsolescence. In addition to lack of inadequate instructional personnel and insufficient resources can also impede the adoption of such technologies. Despite of these obstacles, many believe that technology will become more interwoven into the fabric of scholastic life, and some of conclusions that scholars have come up with include:
Technology will continue to have significant role in the advancement of education
Both private and public sectors approve that technological innovations will continue to have major effects on teaching approaches over the coming years. Certainly, it will be a core differentiator in attracting corporate partners and students in academic institutions.
Distance learning and online programs are gradually gaining a firm foothold in academic institutions all over the world
Studies have shown that more than two-thirds of all academic instruction in the world offer online courses. Most of them consider distance learning as key in advancing their mission, increasing access to education.
Academic-Corporate partnership will form a significant part of the academic experience
At a time where controlling and funding costs are key concerns, corporate partners will be vital in advancing the mission of academic institutions. To attract corporate partners, learning institutions will be required to demonstrate a commitment towards advanced technologies.
Education and Globalization
Distance learning is increasingly becoming global with technologies being the impetus to putting education within the reach on many students around the world. The norm of many universities is having oversees presence and this is well supported by data from Ukba , which shows reduction in students’ influx.
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