Black teens learn to fly and aim for careers in aviation in the footsteps of Tuskegee Airmen — from apnews.com by Corey Williams and Mike Householder; via Matthew Tower
On 08/18/2023,
in adjunct faculty, business side of he, career development, colleges, community colleges, faculty/staff, higher education, online learning, quality, teaching & learning, United States, universities, vocational / trades,
by Daniel Christian
Teaching: What’s the right measure of good teaching? — from chronicle.com by Beth McMurtrie
There are several elements to this challenge. The first is that many campuses depend largely, if not exclusively, on student course evaluations when it comes to measuring instructional quality. And often those evaluations are not particularly well designed or substantive.
…
But even when course evaluations are better designed, I’m not sure any teaching experts would argue that they should be the exclusive measure of whether a faculty member is an effective teacher. That brings us to the second element of the challenge: What else can a college do?
Several readers offered suggestions, such as to include classroom observations, peer evaluation, and teaching portfolios — in which, say, an instructor describes their teaching philosophy and classroom practices, along with evidence that they are working to strengthen their teaching.
Why Labor Shortages on Campus-Building Staffs Are Reaching ‘Crisis Situations’ — from an email newsletter from The Chronicle of Higher Education which eventually links to this article
Who will keep the buildings open?
It’s no secret colleges have struggled to fill staff positions like administrative assistants, information-technology specialists, and admissions officers in today’s tight labor market. But many institutions are grasping for ways to fill key facilities positions that literally keep the doors open, such as custodians, electricians, carpenters, and maintenance workers, our Scott Carlson writes.
Staffing shortages strain the employees and contractors already on the payroll. Facilities-staff members are aging and often juggling project backlogs.
Remember: Building services were the third-most-difficult area to hire in, according to a Chronicle survey conducted earlier this year, behind information technology and dining services. Six in 10 respondents said hiring building-services staff was a serious or moderate problem.
Higher ed may be a victim of its own success. The country has emphasized college after high school over the last four decades, while trades have struggled to attract workers.
An eye-opening stat: Even with a recently renewed emphasis on the trades, the U.S. has only about 600,000 people in apprenticeships, far below the 17 million students enrolled in college.
Which Colleges Pay Off for Low-Income Students? — from edsurge.com by Nadia Tamez-Robledo
Colleges and universities that specialize in health and technology proved to serve low-income students who end up with the highest starting salaries six years after they enrolled. For this earnings data, College Scorecard does not take into account whether students graduated or not.
Hover your cursor over each bar to read details about each institution.
Brave New Classrooms — from Dr. Philippa Hardman
Why 2023-2024 will be remembered as the academic year that education embraced AI
After a rocky start, more and more evidence suggests that the academic year 2023-2024 will likely prove to be a defining year for higher education: the year higher education embraced AI.
Over the course of the next academic year, we will likely see three main changes in the world of education:
- More education institutions will embrace AI & develop policies & guidance on its appropriate use at the institution, department & classroom level.
- We will see a wave of assessment reform, with a new focus on the assessment of learners’ process and skills, including the effective use of AI.
- To enable this chance, we will see a rapid increase in the provision of AI training for leaders, educators and administrators.
While risks and barriers to entry remain real, supported by well-rounded strategic frameworks, the education system has the potential to leverage AI reinvent itself and improve its ability to deliver on the promise to deliver real-world-relevant education.
Two-thirds of colleges are adding online programs, survey finds — from highereddive.com by Natalie Schwartz
The annual CHLOE report tracks changing student demand for virtual education and how institutions are adapting their offerings in response.
On 08/05/2023,
in adult learning, career development, skills, training / L&D, vocational / trades, workplace,
by Daniel Christian
Skilled Trades School — from uei.edu with thanks to Noah Adam for this resource
Excerpt:
UEI College provides students with a wide range of career training opportunities for those who enjoy hands-on work and are interested in building, fixing, or designing things. UEI College’s programs range from HVAC Training to Automotive Technician Training. Our skilled trades programs are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in your chosen trade. With experienced instructors, hands-on training, and suitable facilities, we are able to provide you with a comprehensive education that prepares you for a successful career in the skilled trades.
On 04/17/2023,
in blended learning, business side of he, change, changing business models, colleges, community colleges, face-to-face, faculty/staff, higher education, hybrid learning, instructional design, learning ecosystem, Learning Experience Design, learning preferences, MOOCs -- Massive Open Online Courses, new business models, online learning, teaching & learning, United States, universities, vendors, vocational / trades,
by Daniel Christian
The top online learning statistics in 2023 — from Devlin Peck’s Online Learning Statistics: The Ultimate List in 2023
- Worldwide, 49% of students have completed some sort of online learning
- Online learning is the fastest-growing market in the education industry – it has grown 900% since its creation in 2000
- 70% of students say online learning is better than traditional classroom learning
- The number of online learning users is expected to increase to 57 million by 2027
- 80% of businesses now offer online learning or training solutions
- 63% of students in the US engage in online learning activities daily
- Online learning can increase student and employee retention to as much as 50%
- Online learning can reduce the time needed to learn a subject by 40% to 60%
- The online learning industry is projected to be worth more than $370 billion by 2026
- Online learning and training can improve employee performance by 15% to 25%
Trade programs — unlike other areas of higher education — are in hot demand — from hechingerreport.org by Olivia Sanchez
Many young people choose to pursue short-term credentials over traditional college because they see them as a quicker and a more affordable path to a good
Excerpt:
While almost every sector of higher education is seeing fewer students registering for classes, many trade school programs are booming. Jones and his classmates, seeking certificates and other short-term credentials, not associate degrees, are part of that upswing.
Mechanic and repair trade programs saw an enrollment increase of 11.5 percent from spring 2021 to 2022, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. Enrollment in construction trades courses increased by 19.3 percent, while culinary program enrollment increased 12.7 percent, according to the Clearinghouse.
Death of a Traditional Lecture — from by Abby L Kalkstein, PhD, and Justin L. Rheubert
Excerpts:
However, some of the digital/remote content is better than what we can provide in the physical classroom. For example, in a biology course, instructors can watch students interact with thousands of 3D models, such as those found on Sketchfab or virtual programs such as BioDigital. Additionally, students can follow along virtually as instructors point out different structures. This approach is not possible in a physical classroom unless each student has their own physical model or they bring their computers.
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We should welcome the unfamiliarity of new and blended course designs and strive to build courses based on the best approach for the content regardless of the format, rather than revert to the comfort of analog lecturing.
How College Students Say They Learn Best— from insidehighered.com by Colleen Flaherty
In a new Student Voice survey, students share their preferences for class format, active learning strategies and note-taking. Interactive lectures and case studies are especially popular.
OPM Market Landscape And Dynamics: Spring 2023 Updates — from philhillaa.com by Phil Hill
Excerpt:
OPM Market Landscape
- Market valuations of publicly-traded OPM companies have continued to drop, with 2U/edX, Coursera, and Keypath all down 75% or more from March 2021.
- Pearson tapped out of the market, agreeing to sell its OPM business to private equity firm Regent.
- Zovio is no more. It has ceased to be.
- FutureLearn sold the remnants of its business to a for-profit system, and it now has the most obnoxious website of any OPM provider, past or present.
- Byju’s, which (according to multiple media accounts) had been considering an acquisition of 2U/edX or Coursera, abandoned these plans to go off and deal with its own financial crisis.
- Noodle acquired South Africa-based Hubble Studios.
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the OPM market, triggering (but not causing) official efforts to make massive regulatory changes.
Harvard and MIT Launch Nonprofit to Increase College Access — from edsurge.com by Jeffrey R. Young
The effort is backed by the $800 million sale of the online platform edX in 2021.
Excerpt:
What would you do if you had $800 million to build a new nonprofit to support innovation in online learning?
That’s the privileged question that officials at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have been mulling over for the last two years, and late last month they announced some answers.
The result is a new nonprofit named Axim Collaborative, and its focus will be on serving learners that higher education has historically left behind.
As the group’s new CEO, Stephanie Khurana, put it in an interview with EdSurge this week: “The focus of the mission is to really help postsecondary completion and issues of economic mobility.”
California helps college students cut their debt by paying them to help their communities — from hechingerreport.org by Gail Cornwall
Inspired by service programs from earlier eras, the College Corps program puts low-income, first-generation students to work in education, food insecurity and climate mitigation
‘The reckoning is here’: More than a third of community college students have vanished — from hechingerreport.org by Jon Marcus
Among those who do enroll, red tape and a lack of support are crushing their ambition
The Importance of Student Agency and Self-Direction — from evolllution.com by Cathrael Kazin
Excerpt:
The traditional higher education model is not a one-size-fits all. And students are increasingly calling for adaptability and flexibility to meet their needs. The focus on student agency is a tactic that many leaders can leverage when looking to support these needs and thrive moving forward. In this interview, Cathrael Kazin discusses the need for student agency and self-direction, the challenges that come with it and how to improve student retention and success.
On 03/01/2023,
in Alternatives, career development, vocational / trades, workplace,
by Daniel Christian
Apprenticeship programs are becoming more popular as an alternative to college — from cnbc.com by Jessica Dickler
Key Points
- Daniel Swan started as an apprentice and now works full time as an HVAC technician in California.
- Apprenticeship programs are becoming more popular as an alternative to college.
- Over a decade, the number of registered apprentices rose 64%, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
On 02/03/2023,
in career development, community colleges, learning ecosystem, Learning Experience Design, vocational / trades,
by Daniel Christian
Supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) students on the path to success — from insidetrack.org
Excerpt:
Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways are crucial for economic equity and mobility. With February being Career and Technical Education Month, there’s no better time to talk about the importance of recognizing the value of CTE pathways, creating more cohesion between non-credit CTE programs and degree pathways, and fostering more parity in the student experience.
Career and Technical Education provides learners of all ages and backgrounds with the tangible skills and knowledge they need to move into a career path that leads to a quality job. According to Luke Rhine, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Career, Technical & Adult Education (OCTAE), U.S. Department of Education, “Nationally, there are more than 3.5 million learners enrolled in postsecondary CTE programs. States and institutions of higher education have the potential to position CTE as a catalyst to blur the lines between high school, postsecondary education, and paid work experiences to help students earn postsecondary degrees and industry credentials that our employers need, and our economy demands.”
On 01/31/2023,
in assessment, Blockchain, change, changing business models, competency-based learning/education, content development, aggregation, repositories, credentialing, Design Thinking, education, education reform, engagement / engaging students, ideas, innovation, instructional design, K-12 related, leadership, learner profiles, learning, learning agents, learning ecosystem, Learning Experience Design, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning hubs & pods & microschooling, learning preferences, love of learning, marketplaces, microlearning, more voice more choice more control, motivation, new business models, online learning, participation, passions, personalized/customized learning, platforms, reinvent, society, streams of content, student-related, teachers, teaching & learning, technology (general), ubiquitous learning, United States, user experience (UX), vendors, vision/possibilities, vocational / trades, youth,
by Daniel Christian
Unbundled: Designing Personalized Pathways for Every Learner — from gettingsmart.com by Nate McClennen “with contributions from the Getting Smart team and numerous friends and partners in the field”
Excerpts:
In this publication, we articulate the critical steps needed to unbundle the learning ecosystem, build core competencies, design learning experiences, curate new opportunities, and rebundle these experiences into coherent pathways.
.
Vision
Every learner deserves an unlimited number of unbundled opportunities to explore, engage, and define experiences that advance their progress along a co-designed educational pathway. Each pathway provides equitable and personalized access to stacked learning experiences leading to post-secondary credentials and secure family-sustaining employment. Throughout the journey, supportive coaches focus on helping learners build skills to navigate with agency. In parallel, learners develop foundational skills (literacy, math), technical skills, and durable skills and connect these to challenging co-designed experiences. The breadth and depth of experiences increase over time, and, in partnership, learners and coaches map progress towards reaching community-defined goals. This vision is only enabled by an unbundled learning ecosystem.
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Recommendations
Solutions already exist in the ecosystem and need to be combined and scaled. Funding models (like My Tech High), badging/credentialing at the competency level (like VLACS), coaching models (like Big Thought), and open ecosystems (like NH Learn Everywhere) provide an excellent foundation. Thus, building unbundled systems has already begun but needs systemic changes to become widely available and accepted.
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- Build a robust competency-based system.
- Create a two-way marketplace for unbundled learning.
- Implement policy to support credit for out-of-system experiences.
- Invest in technology infrastructure for Learning and Employment Records.
- Design interoperable badging systems that connect to credentials.
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On 01/05/2023,
in society, sociology, United States, vision/possibilities, vocational / trades,
by Daniel Christian
Employment for formerly incarcerated Americans poised to transform an industry — from standtogether.org
Excerpt:
Jason Wang’s worst moment came in his home driveway at age 15. While his mother watched in shock, he was arrested for aggravated robbery and began a four-year journey through the California prison system.
Jason had been on a path to prison his entire life: born into poverty, raised by an abusive father, and groomed by a gang. His arrest put the final nail in place to seal himself into a cycle of prison, recidivism, poverty, and hopelessness that defines generations of American families.
But Jason’s story didn’t end in a downward spiral. Today, Jason is the head of a pioneering nonprofit called FreeWorld. His organization lifts people who have been in prison into successful careers and gives them the stabilizing support systems to experience healthy families and fulfilling work. FreeWorld is a model for reducing recidivism, improving public safety, and progressing towards a better future.
“We now serve 1,400 people all across the nation. We have a less than 2% recidivism rate and our graduates are now taking care of their families. They’re eliminating all of their debt, they’re tax-paying citizens, and we’re saving the state and federal government millions of dollars in re-incarceration costs while keeping our communities safe.”