Significant Challenges Impeding Technology Adoption in Higher Education

EDUCAUSE LEARNING INITIATIVE | MAY 2016

The resources below explore prominent trends in technology in higher education and some of the factors that inhibit the adoption of those technologies. Technology-based developments such as MOOCs, competency-based education, personalized learning, and new models of the transcript have the potential to address a range of dilemmas facing higher education, including cost, access, and workplace relevance. At the same time, issues such as quality and the acceptance of novel forms of credit and credentials will take time to work through before technology can reach its potential in higher education.

 The Digital Degree (2014)

This article from The Economist situates online learning—MOOCs, in particular—in the context of the changing economics and demographics of higher education. Despite its potential, however, MOOCs and other forms of online education have their detractors and may not be appropriate for all situations.

Elements of Digital Literacy (2015)

From Deakin University, this resource provides a clear, visual reference for an integrated model of digital literacy, organized by proficiency level. The model provides actionable steps on how to find, use, and disseminate diverse information sources.

Beyond the Transcript (2015)

This article outlines the weaknesses of traditional transcripts and an effort led by the associations for registrars and student affairs to reimagine what a future transcript might look like and how it could function. Included in the discussion are models such as online portfolios and competency-based education, and those involved say that there isn’t likely to be a single approach that works for every institution

Personalised Learning: An Overview (2015)

This paper provides a broad overview of personalized learning, covering issues such as important definitions, motivations and means, expected outcomes and benefits, and a vision for how the systems work. Also included is a conceptual model of personalized learning.

Economic Engagement Framework (2016)

From the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, this framework provides practical tools—including an institutional self-evaluation—that help institutions understand what they do well (and not well), measure engagement, tell their story, and engage with stakeholders to maximize the impact.

Here’s What Will Truly Change Higher Education: Online Degrees That Are Seen as Official (2015)

This article argues that the primary reason that online learning has yet to fundamentally alter higher education is that colleges and universities confer the degrees that remain the currency of social and employment structures. When systems such as badging and other kinds of credentials achieve the status of traditional degrees, only then will they challenge the longstanding model of higher education.

You Can Now Get College Credit Without Ever Taking a Class (2015)

This article presents both sides of competency-based education (CBE)—the opportunities and potential benefits, as well as concerns that could derail the growth of the competency model. CBE can provide a shorter, less expensive path to a degree that represents real-world skills, but accountability and quality can be difficult to ascertain.

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