The role of the university campus is changing, much like how the workplace is evolving. The pandemic has proven a huge accelerator for change within education. This is, in part, due to necessity and recent advances in digital workspace technologies, but also because we are starting to see that learning is a dynamic activity that can happen from anywhere, given the right technology and environment.
Fundamentally, we are shifting our concept of education, that it is no longer a school or place you go to. Instead it is possible to create a digital space that allows for a more collaborative and inclusive learning experience. I find it an exciting prospect, and I believe universities should be preparing for this future of blended learning now, so that they are prepared for the next disruption — whatever that might be.
Current perceptions of blended learning
According to recent research by Citrix, via a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, 69 percent of responding UK universities are actively looking to move forward with a blended learning model in the next year, while 25 percent have no plan to do so. Additionally, 43 percent of the universities who responded said they do not currently have budget set aside for blended learning.
Delving a little deeper into the data, among those universities who responded, 82 percent said their students are expressing the desire to have some type of blended learning process in place. Clearly, demand for blended learning is mounting, and 90 percent of responding universities say they already have the necessary technologies in place to operate a blended learning model.
Why is blended learning the future?
My mother was a primary school teacher, and I grew up immersed in the topic of learning and education. Consequently, it is a passion of mine, and while I fully appreciate how important student contact is in teaching, I think my mother would also be struck by the potential that blended learning has to offer, and the prospect of teaching students in locations different to her own, opening-up her education specialties to a far wider audience.
Fundamentally, blended learning means students and educators will have the opportunity to teach or study virtually if they choose, combined with campus-based learning. When the pandemic hit, blended learning became an urgent priority, but as the concept progresses and evolves, academic institutions will ultimately differentiate themselves by the type and quality of blended learning they offer. It will become the expectation for any student applying to university, offering them further choice and freedom in the institutions they can access. The campus will not disappear but will continue to play an important role in educational and social development. Social interactions and clubs, for example, will always have a key role in students’ growth and overall experience.
As blended learning establishes itself fully in higher education, I believe it will progress further down the stack in education, all the way through to primary and younger years’ education. Education has historically taken a one-size-fits-all approach, but blended learning creates the potential for a far more flexible and adaptable model, that can be better shaped to suit individual needs and requirements.
What has the pandemic taught educators?
Educators have had to evolve quickly and place greater trust in their students, ultimately granting them higher levels of autonomy. While there was no playbook, teachers have had to learn to be more empathetic in a virtual classroom environment, and how to read the cues of a virtual audience to ensure they are engaged and interacting fully.
Clearly, there is a skills gap that will need to be addressed to ensure teachers are adept at using blended learning technologies effectively. Aside from basic technology training about how to use apps and software, we will need to empower educators to troubleshoot common IT situations and problems. Maintaining a safe and secure environment for all learners will also be crucial, and educators will need to understand their role within this.
What investments will universities need to make in blended learning?
While many universities have remote learning technology already in place, additional technology costs will be incurred initially to set up a blended learning environment, from new infrastructure to hardware and extended software licensing. Many institutions are also moving to cloud, which requires spend on additional support and the training of IT staff. Nonetheless, these investments are very valuable for the longer term.
The campus and its real estate will also need re-thinking and investment, as is happening in the corporate world right now. Lecture theatres and teaching rooms may need to be re-purposed into interactive teaching rooms, with specialist camera and audio equipment, to ensure a consistent learning experience is had between those in the room and those joining from other locations. More collaborative study spaces will also be needed.
Blended learning will help to prepare students for the future of work
Blended learning teaches students how to be self-sufficient and autonomous, learning to manage their own schedules as well as keeping focused on their work. This is incredibly important when you get into the real world and will help to produce graduates who are ready to hit the ground running. With time, blended learning has the potential to encourage different cultures and ages to collaborate better with one another, remotely. As part of this, we’re going to need to be conscious of time zones and be more patient with people, showing respect for cultural differences.
Students will also become adept at switching between asynchronous and synchronous learning, for example completing some pre-recorded modules, then joining seminars to discuss the topic in more detail with their peers. This skill is an important part of giving individuals the freedom to work in the way they choose, so that they are able to do their best work.
The future of higher education
The education sector was generally unprepared for the global pandemic, and the reality is that they need to be planning now for whatever the next disruption may be. Flexibility is going to be key, and blended learning offers the freedom and inclusiveness needed. I strongly believe that blended learning is here to stay and ultimately it could prove the big differentiator between academic institutions.
Learn More
You can hear more about my thoughts on blended learning and hybrid work in a recent podcast I recorded with Andrew Grill for The Actionable Futurist Podcast.
