Emerging Trends in Higher Education
I will keep this as brief as possible to provide a high content/value to text ratio ))
- Digital Content Delivery
- More Choice! Allows educators to easily customize the course package. Important chapters from different books along with various case studies, journals, and articles can all be put into one course package. Custom packaging increases pedagogical freedom for educators and adds value to the course.
- Makes content searchable! This is one of the biggest pros for those who do not enjoy wasting their time looking for that particular “quote” they found previously. Even better is if you have a hard copy to read and a digitized copy to search.
- Reduces logistic costs and inventory costs. No more calling the bookstores and finding out that the class textbook has not yet arrived or forecasting the amount of textbooks to be purchased. The Bullwhip effect is minimized.
- Streaming Media
- Endless possibilities. Although making videos or any other media does require time. On a side note it would be great to set up a “Big Brother” type program where educators are teamed up with students in Arts & Technology and collaborate together to create media rich content. Valuable skills will be learned by both parties.
Investing in successful IT projects will decrease costs and increase customer service. A double win situation if the IT project is successful.