News Roundup: Communication is Key
This week, communication is key: Interdisciplinary activity and interpersonal skills are crucial for employment after graduation; Educators and researchers are collaborating with each other and with students to solve problems.
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Maha Bali says that becoming a self-directed learner is key for adults participating in online learning. Read about her six tips for effective online adult learning. (ProfHacker)
Graduates of liberal arts programs may experience difficulty finding employment, while technical education graduates may struggle to advance in their careers without broader education. One college president argues that the solution is each program borrowing elements from the other. (University Business)
Three instructors share the benefits of co-teaching, including opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, and a few challenges that may arise. (ProfHacker)
The annual Survey of Faculty Attitudes on Technology revealed that faculty are able to serve a more diverse set of students with academic technology, but they are less likely to agree that technology has significantly improved student outcomes. (Inside Higher Ed)
Attrition in community colleges is often highest for those students who are undeclared or liberal arts majors. To help students better connect to their courses, a community college dean suggests taking a lesson from preprofessional programs and helping students connect to future careers. (Inside Higher Ed)
Graduates in the class of 2015 with degrees in liberal arts and humanities achieved higher employment rates and starting salaries than their peers in the 2014 class, which some attribute to employers’ increasing interest in hires with strong communication skills. (Wall Street Journal)
To empower the next generation of leaders, colleges and universities can include more experiential learning, increase partnerships with researchers and practitioners, and help students focus on solving real-world “grand challenges.” (Inside Higher Ed)
A new model of academic journal publishing, yet to widely catch on in the United States, proposes charging authors to fund open access for their readers. (The Conversation)