education

5 Trends Disrupting Higher Education

Hospitality and travel aren’t the only sectors seeing disruption from new trends and emerging technologies.

Higher education has seen its fair share of disruption. In some cases, innovation is threatening the very model higher education is based on.

Here are five trends set to disrupt higher education:

Virtual Reality

A few years ago, MOOCs were a primary concern of administrators across the country because the promise they held threatened to replace campuses. That concern has waned because students prefer a more formal classroom setting to achieve.

However, the advancements in virtual reality threaten to pick up where MOOCs left off. Investment in virtual reality technologies in the classroom will allow VR to bridge the gap that separated MOOCs from traditional classrooms by providing the human connection students seek.

Skills Crisis

For years, millennials were pushed into higher education classrooms by their parents. The result has been a generation who is better educated than ever before, but who lack the skills to fill trade roles, creating a skills crisis.

As we acknowledge the need to learn trades and skills, more and more students who weren’t a good fit for the traditional four-year degree in the first place will see it as a viable option for a comfortable career.

Failing University Finances

Universities facing budget crises pass their rising costs on to students. Both public and private institutions have raised their fees by 28% and 27% respectively.

However, as students begin to see a smaller tradeoff between growing fees and well-paying jobs, more students will likely change their minds about the true value of a four-year education.

Better Options for Learning

At this point, it is well recognized that a strict classroom education doesn’t work for everyone. More importantly, many fail to emphasize learning outside the classroom.

Technological disruption has plagued higher education since the invention of the internet, but it’s not a trend that is going away anytime soon. While one swift technological swoop, like MOOCs, won’t kill higher education, little advancements and new products will take more and more students out of classrooms and give them a total education experience.

A Change in Funding

Rising costs aren’t the only thing affecting universities: the federal government has started to take a more hands-off role to funding universities, too.

Even Democratic administrations, which historically favor more public spending on education, have said universities need to sort out their finances if they want to stay afloat. These aren’t just words; many American universities generate more money from tuition fees than they do from public funds.

Whether you look at funding, teaching, or attendance, new trends are disrupting higher education as we’ve come to know it. How have you seen your universities change?

What Does a Future Ready Education Leader Look Like?

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology (OET) knows a thing or two about “Future Ready Leaders.” In 2016 they began the Future Ready Leaders Project in response to requests from superintendents across America.

These district leaders recognize the importance of preparing education leaders for the future, and in response, the OET has already compiled fifty videos sharing best future forward practices from around the country.

The Future Ready Education Leader

While that may sound open-ended, some compelling tenets of future ready leadership have already begun to emerge. Overwhelmingly, the skills needed center around four distinct themes.

You can expect that future ready education leaders will need to focus on the following:

  • Schools as models of equity. Future leaders will have to find ways to assure that every student will have a positive learning environment. Edtech tools can provide the digital equity that all students need, regardless of race, gender, religion or socioeconomic background.
  • Tech robust learning environments. Schools of he future must have a robust infrastructure that can support edtech solutions in a variety of creative ways, from wireless classrooms to BYOD policies. As more schools and districts transition to cloud based learning management systems, the education leaders of the future will be more comfortable with technology than ever before.
  • Personalization in learning. Future ready education leaders will find ways to provide personalized learning experience for students at every age. These leaders will do the same for all stakeholders in education, providing customized training opportunities. They’ll also do the same thing for themselves.
  • Collaborative efforts in leadership building. In the past, being an educational leader meant being in power. It was a top down approach where those not in a leadership position did what they were told. Future leaders can expect to find support in grassroots movements where everyone is empowered to contribute and collaborate inside and outside the classroom.

And finally, the future ready education leaders will be innovators who can inspire others to reach new heights in digital leadership.

The leaders who build the future in education will use research and best practices to create rigorous learning environments suited to the interests of students. They will need educational technology to provide the rigor and relevance required for college and career readiness. These leaders will use their strategic planning skills to prepare the path.

 

 

Top 5 Higher Education Podcasts You Need to Listen To

Podcasts are an incredible resource for anyone involved in higher education.

Whether you’re a student, teacher, administrator, or innovator, there’s a higher education podcast out there that aims to answer your questions and tell your story.

We’re such big believers in the power of the podcast that we’ve put together a list of our five favorite higher education podcasts for you here.

1.   The College Info Geek Podcast: Study Tips & Advice for Students

Thomas Frank puts out a weekly podcast covering everything you need to know about college and life. His episodes are timely, wide-ranging and offer both general advice in areas like productivity and time management as well as specific advice for people on a particular trajectory like filmmaking or blogging.

Must-Listen Episodes for Freshmen:

  1. Should You Take an Unpaid Internship?
  2. How to Take Good Notes from Books
  3. How to Live with Roommates Without Losing Your Mind

2.   Getting In: Your College Admissions Companion

The end of high school is all about ‘getting in’, but college admissions is an esoteric process. No one is quite sure just what will open the door to their dream college.

Getting In is designed to lift the veil of the college admissions process from beginning to end.

Must-Listen Episodes for College Hopefuls:

  1. Tips for Non-Traditional Students
  2. The Checklist Every College-Bound Junior Needs Now
  3. When You’re the First In Your Family to Apply to College

3.   Admissions Straight Talk

Applying to grad school? What about business, law, or medical school?

Admissions Straight Talk is a weekly podcast broaching what’s new and how to navigate the process of applying to graduate school. Episodes cover a diverse range of topics from finance, to navigating MBA options, to delving into specific programs at universities.

Must-Listen Episodes for Prospective Grad Students:

  1. Your Past Doesn’t Define You
  2. What to do About a Low GPA, an Encore
  3. Stand Out! A critical Goal for Your Application

4.   Higher Ed Live

Higher Ed Live is a weekly podcast covering a wide range of topics across the higher education sector. Admissions, student affairs, marketing, and advancement are all covered. But this podcast isn’t a vacuum of insider ideas – episodes also contain interviews with professionals and thought leaders from across the industry.

Must-Listen Episodes for Professionals:

  1. Admissions Live – #NACACREADS: How to Raise and Adult
  2. Special Edition – The State of Online Education
  3. Ending Sexual Violence on Campus

5.   Life101

Anthropologist Michael Welsh presents a monthly podcast in the style of “This American Life”. Although there’s only one episode, it’s essential listening for everyone in, near, or around the world of higher education.

Must-Listen Episodes for Everyone:

  1. Professor’s Night Out

Do you listen to any of these podcasts? Have we missed your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Protect Your University from Malware

When university computer systems suffer a malware attack, it is a nightmare. In addition to slowing down the entire campus’s internet services, malware can steal personal information and create data breaches campus-wide.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals are well aware of the possibilities for data retrieval on college campuses. As Sue Marquette Poremba explains, “Not only does the university store the personal information and medical records of 70,000 students and 20,000 faculty members and other staffers, but it also has financial data for sports and theater season-ticket holders […] Then there is all of the intellectual property generated by professors, graduate students and other research professionals.”

For these reasons and more, universities must protect themselves from malware and other internet security attacks. Let’s look at some ways universities can avoid data breaches and other cyber headaches.

What is Malware?

Malware is malicious software that is designed to retrieve information from computer users or cause damage to the computer system. Malware consists of adware, spyware, viruses, keyloggers, ransomware, botnets, and more. Some malware is sophisticated codes, while others are phishing attempts that prey on vulnerable, unsuspecting email users.

Plan for Security

First things first, universities should plan for security. This means having a top-notch IT department that carefully monitors the university’s network and plans for the best security possible. This means having security protocols in place before events occurred and making sure

Purchase Educational Security Solutions

There are several educational companies that provide security solutions for schools and universities. These companies protect against security threats (such as malware detection software), as well as emergency management technology.

Use Antivirus Software

All schools should use up-to-date antivirus software that regularly updates, and they should provide access to the entire campus community. This means providing the software to each student and professor who utilizes the university’s network.

Utilize the Cloud

Universities should take advantage of the cloud-based anti-virus software programs. Also, the university should do as much work in the cloud as possible. This will ensure that should information be lost during potential security breaches that the most important information will still be accessible via a cloud service.

Encourage Staff and Students to Have Strong Passwords

The stronger the password, the harder it is to hack. Therefore, encourage all staff and students using the university network to have a unique login and a strong password. Establish guidelines for strong passwords.

In Conclusion

To protect the university’s campus network, students and staff must understand their role. On that account, you must teach your staff and students about digital responsibility. Provide information about how to protect their personal computers and devices from malware and other security threats.

Top Universities in Asia 2018

Asian universities are continuing their ascent into the top universities in the world. In fact, established universities aren’t just gaining ground, new universities are forming and joining them in their quest to provide world-class education.

Looking for a university in Asia? Here are four of our favorites:

1.   Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a medium-size research school based on the island of Hong Kong. Founded in 19991, HKUST is a premier destination for students with a keen interest in the sciences as well as technology, business, and engineering.

The university often ranks among the top 10 universities in Asia, but recently it has aimed for the top of the list of global universities, coming in at #36 on QS’s list.

2.   Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) makes the list because of its position as a highly-productive research university and its global academic reputation.

KAIST was Korea’s first major public research institution in 1971. Today, it is home to just over 10,000 students. However, its student makeup is unique because there are more postgraduate and doctoral students combined than there are undergraduates.

Located in Daejeon, South Korea, this university is a huge get for postgraduates interested in a career in research and the number of citations produced among the faculty is second to none not only in Asia but globally.

3.   Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technical University is one of the best universities in the world and is consistently ranked as one of the best in Asia. Additionally, it’s been ranked in the number one spot on the QS Top 50 Under 50.

Located in Singapore, Nanyang Technological University is a science school, but it hasn’t pigeonholed itself. From materials science to engineering to natural sciences, there is no shortage of great programs for students at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

4.   Fudan University

Fudan University is the oldest and largest university on this list.  Based in Shanghai, it is one of the most competitive universities in mainland China and is known for both its wide range of disciplines and the quality of graduates it produces across politics, medicine, science, and in the humanities.

Fudan isn’t as research-oriented as KAIST or HKUST, but it does have a strong academic reputation and an international faculty, both of which benefit the student experience.

Will you be studying at any of these top universities in 2018? Did we miss a university from your list? Let us know in the comments.

4 Things That Educators Should Know About Education Law and Ethics

Ethics refers to the discipline of dealing with what is good and bad with moral duty and obligation. The application of ethics in education is essential for students as well as teachers. It lets everyone know the right thing to do, and provides a moral framework so that schools and students can work together to pursue learning in the best possible manner. Ethical teaching practices create a positive atmosphere for the growth of students and provide them with clear examples of how to live ethical lives of their own.

Law and ethics go hand in hand. Law, however, is enforced based on written principles and regulations by parties who have been given the power to do so, such as magistrates or judges. Teachers are responsible to know their own rights and legal obligations as well as those of their students and schools. This article discusses legal and ethical issues as they pertain to education law and how they ought to be applied to ensure quality teaching and learning.

What are the ethics of education? In solving ethical issues, it is first important to be as informed as possible. What is the situation? What are the students’ rights? What are your rights as a teacher? It is important to be empathetic to all parties involved, but also to know the law and the guidelines of the system within which you work. Codes of ethics vary, but useful codes may be found both in the national sphere, such as the National Education Association, and at the state level. The InTASC Standards may also be useful in discerning the correct procedure in a complex ethical situation.

What are your legal rights as an educator? Laws vary from state to state, but there are certain guidelines that should be followed. Teachers are liable for any harm that occurs to a student under their care, if they personally harm the student, have not issued proper safety guidelines, or are not adequately supervising the student. Title IX forbids discrimination according to gender in the workplace. No teacher should feel discriminated against because of gender issues.

What are the legal rights of school districts? Most school districts around the country now ban corporal punishment (as of 2012, 39 states banned corporal punishment outright). Sexual harassment continues to be a major issue in schools, and in particular for female and gay male students. Over half of female students reported being sexually harassed (AAUW, 2011). The law has taken an increasingly harder line against the use of religious elements such as school prayers, though personal expression of religion is protected.

What are the legal rights of parents and students? Though parents have tried to sue schools over the right to keep their children from learning about condoms, for example, the law generally comes down on the side of the school. Students, on the other hand, sometimes complain that their freedom is being infringed upon. For example, they chafe against wearing uniforms. Again, the law generally sides with the schools in these situations.

Parents have the right to access information about their children, including school records, and should have a say in who gets to view this information. Schools cannot discriminate against pregnant students, and the law is increasingly siding with gay, lesbian, and bisexual students. Students’ rights of free speech and protection from unreasonable searches are protected by law, though schools have more leeway in this area than some other institutions in order to maintain order within the school.

Did we miss anything?

Click here to read all of the articles from this series.

How to Help College Students Develop More Grit

The concept of grit, although not new, has recently become a higher education buzzword due, in part, to Angela Duckworth’s research on the subject in her book, Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance. Traditionally defined as “courage” or “resolve” by Miriam-Webster, Duckworth reimagined the term as regarding higher education, colleges and universities want to know how “gritty” or “resilient” their students are and how this trait can affect their progress toward degree completion. This is certainly beneficial knowledge to have, as a student’s level of grit can also affect his or her self-control and ability to engage with professors and class material.

There is a wide variety of methods by which to measure and test a student’s grit level, but what if that level falls short of ideal? A student body lacking in grit could manifest as an increase in years to degree completion due to changing majors, failure to persist to degree completion at all, or high levels of unemployment 6 months after graduation. Outcomes such as these based on students’ inability to commit to a degree path and persist to graduation are detrimental to students themselves and to the colleges attempting to support them.

But, there is good news! Incorporating purpose and vocation exploration into first-year college programming has been shown to increase students’ perseverance toward degree completion as well as increased job satisfaction and quality of life after graduation. In other words, students who go through programs intended to teach them how to shape their personal values into rewarding careers are more likely to persist toward degree completion in four years. Students who understand how to put their values into action through future careers are more likely to push through adversity in pursuit of an end goal that they can relate to.

Their grit, or, ability to passionately pursue a long-term goal, is increased by understanding how to mold their values into actions. Internships and service learning activities are additional ways in which to strengthen this commitment through the entirety of the college experience. When students see a clear path toward a goal that they identify with, they will become better at overcoming setbacks and maneuvering through unexpected obstacles, issues that might have otherwise affected their persistence to degree completion.

 

 

 

Top Universities in South America for 2018

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2018 listed 46 universities in South America on its top 1000 list. Most of the picks are found in Brazil, but there are quality universities located across the continent.

Hoping to study at home or move abroad to work on your Spanish or Portuguese?

Here are three of our favorite top universities in South America for 2018.

1.   University of Sao Paulo

The University of Sao Paulo, located in Brazil’s capital city, has been identified as the top university in South America, cracking the top 300 list on the Times rankings.

USP has nearly a century of history in academic excellence. Founded in 1934, it pioneered higher education and new teaching standards in Brazil. As a point of interest for academics around the world, it has long attracted the world’s best teachers across a range of disciplines. The school has also produced presidents, CEOs, and incredible researchers.

USP is a huge school – it’s home to 90,000 students across 11 campuses located in Sao Paulo and beyond. Students have 200 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programs to choose from.

2.   Diego Portales University

Diego Portales University is one of the top universities in South America located outside Brazil. Founded in 1982, it DPS is Chile’s first private university and has two campuses in Santiago and Huechuraba.

The school has just over 14,000 students and around 1,300 staff. Students are able to take on one of 31 undergraduate programs either as full-time day students or in evening classes. Faculties at DSP range from architecture art and design to law to engineering and sciences, providing a well-rounded education.

3.   Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia’s best university is one of the top universities in South America. Pontifical Javeriana University, named after Francis Xavier, the Jesuit founder of the Friends of Jesus, is also one of the oldest universities on the continent – it has been educating students continuously since it was founded in 1623.

Its status as a Jesuit university is not uncommon – 28 South American universities are run by the Friends of Jesus organization.

One of the things we like about this university is that it combines a large number of degree options with small class sizes, something not found at USP or at Diego Portales.

South America is home to some world-class universities offering a variety of degree programs in intimate settings. Are you looking for schools in South America? What schools top your list?

Low-Income Students at Elite Institutions: Are They Unicorns?

Low-income students have incredible obstacles to overcome to reach college.

They need to deal with poor public schools that hold back students living in low-income areas due to the property tax funding system. Low-income students also have poorer access to college-readiness and preparation resources. They’re even less likely to have help figuring out financial aid, even though they qualify for it.

A report from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation shows that nearly 1 in 4 high-achieving, low-income students navigate the college process entirely on their own.

While it doesn’t hold all students back, low-income, high-achieving students make up only 3 percent of the student bodies at elite colleges.

Yes, low-income students at elite institutions are unicorns. But they shouldn’t be.

How Can We Boost Enrollment Rates of High-Achievers?

There’s no easy answer to helping more high-achievers reach elite colleges because of the host of factors at play.

However, elite colleges can take steps to not only attract those students but to help them overcome the barriers they face in getting in. This must go beyond providing more grants and scholarships and take a more hands-on approach.

According to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, who conducted the survey about high-achieving, low-income students, colleges can take steps to improve transparency in the admissions process and reduce the number of fees thrown at colleges.

Here are a few ways they can do so:

Making Fee Waivers Easier

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation survey found that concerns about college costs discouraged one out of three high-achievers from even applying. These costs include room and board, but even the application fee can put students off.

What is more, those students aren’t sure whether that fee would be waived or if they qualified for a fee waiver.

More transparency will allow students to apply in the first place.

Providing Access to Visits

Most high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds never visit their school of choice. They’re exposed only to the promotional materials disbursed by the school.

The inability to visit is problematic in many ways. First, they’re not able to see first-hand what it will be like to go to school there, leaving them with an intimidating impression of the elite college world.

Moreover, college brochures don’t typically feature low-income students, which is important for encouraging and inspiring them.

Pick Up the Slack from Public Schools

Many students are first-generation college students whose parents don’t have first-hand knowledge of the college application system. They then have to rely on community resources, like public schools, which are too often overwhelmed with hundreds of students.

Elite colleges can reach out to these students by enabling students at the university to help high school students via their alumni networks.

At the end of the day, elite colleges benefit from the contributions high-achieving, low-income students make to their campuses, and it’s not enough to wait for those students to come to them.

Has your university set a plan to help the best and brightest reach their goals? Share your thoughts here.

 

 

Top Universities in Central America for 2018

The top schools in Central America are dominated by the Mexican institutions in North America, several of which have cracked the top spots on the Times Higher Education top 1,000 list.

However, there are plenty of great schools to choose from throughout the region.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite universities in Central America for the next school year.

1.   National Autonomous University of Mexico

The National Autonomous University of Mexico is a public research university based in Mexico City. Its urban campus is a sight to behold and is so unique that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

UNAM is a highly selective school, admitting only 8% of all applicants. It’s also an important research school in many areas. In fact, every Mexican Nobel laureate has either been alumni of or a faculty member at the school.

UNAM’s student body is incredible. It’s home to 187,195 undergraduates and 26,169 postgraduates. Not all students attend the main Mexico City campus; there are also other campuses across the metropolitan area as well as in other cities catering to graduate studies and research across Mexico.

2.   Central American University Jose Simeon Canas

Central American University, commonly known as UCA El Salvador is a private university based in the El Salvadorian capital of San Salvador. The university is run by the Society of Jesus and is one of many Central and South American universities run by the Jesuits.

The school is small – it’s home to just under 9,000 students and only around 400 staff. Yet, despite its size, the school has played a role in Central American politics. Today, it provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs across many subjects ranging from science to humanities to professional degrees.

3.   University of Panama

Located in Panama City, the University of Panama is a public university with satellite campuses across the country.

It was founded in 1935 with four disciplines and 175 students. Today, the school is home to nearly 75,000 students who have the opportunity to attend an institution that takes its role in global research seriously. The university participates in international research agreements and information exchanges as professors and staff visit institutions around the world.

Are you looking for a school in Central America? Have these three institutions made your list? Let us know in the comments below.