Nadia Isata is the Head of Education Sales at Class, leading new growth and post-implementation customer success. With 20 years of experience in higher education, she has driven EdTech innovation to modernize academic processes. In 2023, she launched the Innovation Advisory Group and served on the Steering Committee for the Leading Academic Change 2.0 National Survey.
Nadia Isata is the Head of Education Sales at Class, leading new growth and post-implementation customer success. With 20 years of experience in higher education, she has driven EdTech innovation to modernize academic processes. In 2023, she launched the Innovation Advisory Group and served on the Steering Committee for the Leading Academic Change 2.0 National Survey.
It’s no secret that the world has embraced flexibility and is trending hybrid. A blending of online and in-person modalities is showing up in virtually all areas of daily life, from the boardroom, to the doctor’s office, to the courtroom—and the classroom is no exception. While this isn’t news to higher education, it’s worth examining when it has the ability to extend access to quality education to new learners, allowing institutions to expand and increase enrollment. How prevalent are synchronous online programs in higher education? How successful are these blended modalities for undergraduate and graduate programs, and are students engaging with them? What benefits do online programs offer students, instructors, and institutions, and what role do technology leaders have in guiding the success of the technology supporting these programs and aiding in change management?
We’ll explore these questions and more in a new blog series, first focusing on the instructor’s experience, and then taking a detailed look at these programs from the student’s point of view.
Students have spoken, and there’s a growing demand for virtual offerings in higher education. In 2023, McKinsey surveyed 7,000 students in 17 different countries, and 65% said they want aspects of their learning experience to remain virtual.
A majority like 65% is something colleges and universities can’t ignore, and with advancements in technology enabling broader access, it seems like online programs are here to stay. What does this mean for instructors? McKinsey also reveals in their survey that “a significant share of students are dissatisfied with the online experiences their universities offer.” This means there’s an expectation from students to receive the same level of excellence in online learning as they do through in-person learning—and instructors have a responsibility to help ensure this excellence.
It’s not all about pressure on educators, however, who also see benefits from online learning programs. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these.
Synchronous online programs refer to programs in which students and instructors interact with each other in real time. This differs from asynchronous online learning, in which an assignment is given online and the student is given a predetermined time to complete the assignment on his or her own time. While there are pros and cons to each type of online learning, synchronous online learning opens up a whole new set of opportunities for educators, who don’t necessarily have to be bound to a physical location to provide the same engaging, meaningful, interactive experience.
Beyond just the classroom, we now live in a reality where programs like tutoring, office hours, and mentoring sessions, can be offered or attended from any location that suits both the student and the instructor. If anything, this allows for a more positive experience for both the student and instructor, unconstrained by physical limitations.
Higher education institutions need a robust solution—one that blurs the lines between synchronous and asynchronous learning environments—to ensure that students and faculty can truly maximize the benefits of online learning programs.
For educators, there are many benefits to an all-in-one solution for online learning experiences. Take this example from one Class user on how Class empowers educators to provide an engaging, student-focused online learning space, “Before the Class platform was introduced into our ecosystem, it felt like we were talking to an empty room. ,” says Eduardo Salcedo, and instructor at Miami Dade College. “But thanks to Class, we can see the interactions and see students feel more natural in this remote environment. We can get them engaged in their education before they slip through the cracks.”
On the individual level, eliminating things like transportation, childcare, and work disruptions is big for both students and educators. While saving time is a clear benefit of eliminating these needs, the cost savings in these areas have the potential to compound to a pretty significant level over time.
Institutions can also extend educational access through a number of previously untapped higher education online programs. Extending their reach and attracting traditional and nontraditional students in and out of state, the benefits and affordability are clear for students, and a plus for educators. With Forbes reporting that the online learning market is projected to grow by 20% by 2030, instructors will no doubt see the demand for online teaching opportunities continue to increase.
While technology has made big advancements in recent years, it’s up to technology leaders to step up and create best-in-class platforms for online learning. Platforms like Class take this responsibility seriously, with a commitment to scaling quality instruction, enabling meaningful engagement, and making virtual programs accessible.
As they work to increase accessibility in online learning programs, technology leaders will be extremely impactful in the area of change management.
Change management combats technology fatigue and helps ensure the proper adoption of new tools. Because technology leaders have extensive experience implementing and encouraging the adoption of online platforms, their expertise will prove especially valuable to educators, who need a seamless virtual experience to reduce distractions and provide the best learning environment possible.
Why should all of this matter to leaders at colleges and universities, and why should they look to expand online learning through virtual programs? Aside from the benefits of online learning we’ve covered here, increasing access to synchronous online programs will increase enrollment and provide faculty and students with a cost-effective yet valuable online learning experience.
And remember, 65% of students aren’t satisfied with their online education experience. This means leaders in higher education have an opportunity to provide a high-quality experience that differentiates their institution from others, capitalizing on the increased demand and enrollment that comes with offering better online options.
See how the Class platform can help you expand access and increase engagement and enrollment in your virtual programs—reach out to a Class team member today.
Nadia Isata is the Head of Education Sales at Class, leading new growth and post-implementation customer success. With 20 years of experience in higher education, she has driven EdTech innovation to modernize academic processes. In 2023, she launched the Innovation Advisory Group and served on the Steering Committee for the Leading Academic Change 2.0 National Survey.
Nadia Isata is the Head of Education Sales at Class, leading new growth and post-implementation customer success. With 20 years of experience in higher education, she has driven EdTech innovation to modernize academic processes. In 2023, she launched the Innovation Advisory Group and served on the Steering Committee for the Leading Academic Change 2.0 National Survey.
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