Enhanced hybrid learning
In a post-pandemic learning environment, the temptation to study from the comfort of one’s own home has led to university class sizes and lecture attendance falling significantly. Despite this, over half of students would prefer to learn ‘mostly in-person’ and two thirds prefer blended in-person and online teaching. So, how can educators encourage learners back into the classroom or lecture hall?
While technology-enabled a greater shift to remote and on-demand learning during lockdown, it is no replacement for in-person learning experiences.
But, when students are dealing with various demands on their time and resources, there is a need to prove the worth of attending campus while supporting changing needs. Many commentators have asked whether the lecture hall is dead, but the evidence suggests the answer is a firm ‘no’. A fully online future for FE and HE is neither realistic nor wanted – neither by students nor educators. Blended approaches, however, can meld the best of both worlds, where the right strategy and technologies can help bridge the gap between in-person learning experiences and remote learning.
How the cloud can enhance the learning experience
Colleges and universities were forced to change due to the pandemic. Without the ability to hold in-person lectures and seminars, platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams presented themselves as learning lifelines. The rapid adoption of cloud technologies to support this shift has provided the impetus for continued innovation. The transformative mindset forced upon universities by the pandemic can now be capitalised on to spur even better experiences, both on-and off-campus.
Such an approach relies on the cloud to provide a rich, connected learning environment where students have access to an ‘always-on’ syllabus, alongside integrated digital information resources and seamless communications tools – all of which provide enhanced experiences in the classroom and beyond.
This means going beyond basic cloud provision to incorporate digital innovation designed to enhance the student experience, no matter the location. It’s no longer enough to offer online seminars through MS Teams but about creating immersive and engaging digital learning environments that can provide seamless engagement and communication across multiple touch points.
Research suggests that cloud capabilities can help to reduce student churn by around a third, by focusing on a holistic student experience. For example, removing the boundary to attendance and ensuring that students receive the same experience on-site, at home, in halls, or overseas. Such agile learning can only be powered through the cloud, and universities, therefore must consider investment in cloud-first transformation. The learning is, do not do away with the cloud journey now that the demands of lockdown are done. See it as a springboard.
Cloud-first approach
Implementing an immersive and engaging digital learning environment can provide seamless student, lecturer, and staff communication across multiple touch points. One of the key benefits of a sophisticated, cloud-first approach is the ability to capitalise on multiple communication channels with students, using data to drive personalised learning and student experiences. Whether online, via social media, IM, or by telephone, communications technology can help to cost-effectively simplify student contact, expand channels, and increase digital communication, providing instant access to information that can help personalise interactions.
Students now expect the same experience with their education provider that they enjoy with commercial brands and services, which can only be achieved by harnessing data and applying it within connected, cloud-first platforms.
Laying the groundwork for a better future
By investing in cloud infrastructure now, universities can build the foundations they need for the future, where digital learning and communications technologies continue to advance. For example, Virtual and augmented (VAR) technology is in the early stages of adoption in education, with immersive technologies facilitating learning via 3D models and interactive 360° videos. Not only can this provide for highly engaging learning experiences, but also enables greater accessibility across a range of needs.
With the development of the Metaverse, there may be a time when students can interact with educators in an online world. As described in rich detail by the education thinktank, The Brookings Institue, “The metaverse is upon us. Soon it will be as omnipresent as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook (now Meta)… Make no mistake that the metaverse is coming.”
Having the foundation of a strong, adaptable and agile cloud infrastructure in place makes any implementation of next-generation technology a matter of upgrading rather than reinventing. When it comes to education, and to student expectations, change is constant.
Generation Alpha, now in their early teens, have grown up immersed in technology and the online world. They will expect their higher education experiences to mimic, if not exceed those they have grown up with.
However, the lecture hall is not dead. As reiterated by Brookings, the metaverse and other technology-enabled learning experiences will enhance social learning processes, rather than replace them. Metaverse-enabled laboratories, consumer-style apps and interactive learning experiences are just some of the things the next generation can look forward to in the coming years. Educators must implement these technologies now so students can reap the full benefits during their studies.
About the Author
Fraser Sutherland is Head of Government & Education at Maintel. Maintel is a trusted provider of cloud communications and managed services helping customers in both public and private sectors improve their business through digital transformation. We help them to make their people more effective and productive with digital workplace technology. We help them to acquire, develop and retain their own customers with customer experience technology. And we ensure they can always connect to their applications and their data through secure connectivity.
Featured image: ©BullRun
