Higher ed leaders discuss innovating learning for students, and a new report suggests that many college dropouts have most of the credits they need to graduate.
When the Stars Align: A New Constellation of Innovation
Thirteen institutions and organizations gathered at Arizona State University for an “unconference” around the theme, “Shaping the Future of Learning in the Digital Age.” Participants discussed how to innovate student learning through measures such as including students and employers in conversations and fostering authentic interpersonal interactions. (EdSurge)
Report: Many College Dropouts Are More Than Halfway to a Degree
A new report from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators suggests that one in five students who don’t graduate have at least 75 percent of credits needed for their degrees and recommends that colleges focus on this at-risk population. Del Mar College, for instance, sends these students personalized emails and offers them workshops, tutoring, and career coaching. (NASFAA)
Making the Learning Experience Student Centered to Combat the Skills Gap from College to Career
Many students cite the prospect of a job as a main factor in attending college but are unable to make potential employers aware of the skills they have, Troy Markowitz writes. He urges institutions to prioritize showing students the relevance of the skills they attain by leveraging technology, customizing student engagement, and identifying gaps. (Forbes)
How Your Office Could Inspire Student Collaboration
Some students may be too intimidated to visit their instructors’ offices, so faculty look for ways to make their spaces more approachable. Jim Friedman, for example, replaced his desk with a round table, allowing students to work together. Other institutions are reimagining spaces and creating new ones to encourage faculty-student collaboration. (The Chronicle of Higher Education Teaching Newsletter)
Small Liberal Arts Colleges as Learning Innovation Base Camps
Relationships are at the heart of liberal arts colleges, Joshua Kim writes, which is why they are “base camps” for learning innovation. Using this metaphor to convey how liberal arts schools build a culture of trust and cultivate a willingness to take risks in both faculty and students, Kim explores how these schools can lead change across higher education. (Technology and Learning)
Partner News
Broward College / Miami Dade College: The Aspen Institute Names 10 Finalists for 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence (The Aspen Institute)
