Extra-condensed knowledge
Just like the impact of earlier technological novelties, higher education will adapt and come out stronger with virtual learning. Rather than being disrupted, the institutions that survive this crisis will be augmented by the new technology. Getting there, however, will entail a radical rethink of the university campus as we have known it for generations.- The current wave is not a disruption. It’s a reconstruction of learning with an incredible number of content delivery options. Horizontal learning opportunities will become even more important within this dual system.
Condensed knowledge
- The legacy model of higher education has worked so well – and lasted so long – because it balances two complementary ways of learning: vertical (top-down), and horizontal (social).
- Vertical learning is what happens in a lecture hall or office hours. Students frantically take notes or discuss the material with an expert. In effect, a vertical learning space is anywhere a professor or someone else officially knowledgeable is doing most of the important talking. Vertical learning is the formal part of education.
- Horizontal learning usually occurs between the students themselves. Educators can try to inspire it by facilitating projects like group assignments, but it also happens spontaneously as students cross paths after class, or debate at cafeteria tables. Horizontal learning is often informal, uncontrollable and indifferent to our daily schedules. Vertical learning can be planned in advance and, to some degree, packaged. It’s largely possible in an online context, and given the new realities, that’s likely where it’ll stay.
- The reconstruction of higher ed. The current wave is not a disruption. It’s a reconstruction of learning with an incredible number of content delivery options.
- Horizontal learning opportunities will become even more important within this dual system. When schools opt for augmentation, the campus of the future will pivot toward less structured education. If you strolled through this future campus, you’d notice fewer people rushing to their next classes and more groups engaging in hours-long passionate conversations.
- The physical campus would become a dynamic hub, rather than a singular point where learning takes place. It would also be a source of support (technical and otherwise) for the vulnerable students of whom Paxson rightly reminded us.
- Over time, the general campus atmosphere may come to resemble something like an Apple Store, where students gather to test out ideas as well as technology, and recharge their social batteries before diving back into coursework at home.
- Most importantly, it would uphold the notion of higher education as the best vehicle for students to learn both from one another and from experts. They will become more competent, connected and agile: It’s a promise that the future educational institutions must fulfil.
Category 2: The Big Picture of The Digital Age
[genioux fact extracted from Insead Knowledge]
Authors of the genioux fact