Fast forward: Forces defining the future of postsecondary learning
The global pandemic opened the eyes of many postsecondary leaders to new realities and new possibilities.
Among Covid-19’s many substantial effects, higher education institutions were reminded of their reliance on digital technologies, the impact of economic disruptions, and the interconnectedness of learning, work, wellness and students’ personal lives. This paper explores four transformative forces accelerated by the pandemic and examines their effects on program delivery models, digital learning infrastructure, and institutions’ ability to meet the dynamic needs of students, employers and other stakeholders. The authors describe these forces’ primary manifestations and implications and pose questions for senior leaders and trustees to consider.
The authors considered forces accelerated by the pandemic that have had a sizable effect on multiple sectors, including postsecondary education. They focused on those driven by technological change and analyzed the implications for institutional strategy and competitiveness.
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