A recent National Student Clearinghouse Research Center report reveals that post-secondary enrollment continues to decline. Undergraduate enrollment alone saw a 9.4 percent drop from Spring 2020, resulting in nearly 1.4 million fewer undergrads than before the pandemic.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to this enrollment drop, it’s also related to the overarching debate about whether the expensive price tag attached to these programs is worth a student’s time, money, and energy, especially as inflation continues to rise.
In reality, studies show that obtaining a post-secondary education opens up more rewarding opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible. For instance, college graduates will have 57 percent more job opportunities than non-graduates, even in today’s challenging labor market. A degree also provides more flexibility and choice in where an individual chooses to work.
While colleges can make getting a degree more affordable, flexible, and adaptable by implementing more online teaching/learning processes, most universities are stuck using archaic systems that aren’t catered to online students. They are clunky, difficult to use, and fail to create an engaging environment. That’s why higher education institutions need to prioritize delivering an interactive online learning experience. Here’s how.
Adopt the Right Technology and Tools
Technology has become essential in our everyday lives. And in the case of education, implementing a learning environment that is supported by teaching and learning technologies requires the proper adoption by institutions, faculty, and students alike. Arming educators with the right tools and solutions can help deliver a successful online learning experience.
Phill Miller is Managing Director of Open LMS and has nearly 20 years’ experience in edtech.