While most had hoped that the pandemic would be nothing more than a memory by the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, that isn’t the case. As a result, there are still challenges to navigate to ensure that higher education institutions can meet the needs of students.
Couple that with shift expectations and preferences on the part of students, and having ways to offer the right mix of learning modes is increasingly essential. If you are wondering what you need to do to be ready for this academic year, here’s what you need to know.
Offer Fully Online Courses
If your use of fully
online courses was limited pre-pandemic, don’t necessarily revert back to that model for this academic year. The vast majority of students want the option to take at least some of their classes using that format.
While specific
courses have a clear hands-on component, making them harder to transition, others can easily shift to an online model. By focusing on certain introductory-level classes, you can also make core requirements easier to access, reducing the participation limitations that come with maximum seating in a physical classroom.
Introduce Technology into In-Person Courses
As you transition come classes back to an in-person model, don’t completely forgo technology. Students would like to see tech integrated effectively into classroom-based learning, so finding opportunities to make that happen is wise.
Exactly how you’ll want to introduce technology into the classroom may vary based on the subject and assignments. In some cases, it could simply be material distribution. In others, shifting exams, assignments, and other activities to a digital platform may be ideal. Creating opportunities for participation through technology may also be wise, such as by hosting live quizzes or surveys with push-button-style response capturing.
Make Materials Digital
Even if your institution reintroduces in-person classes, making the course materials digital is essential. Students appreciate highly accessible resources. In that regard, it’s hard to beat a digital form factor.
In many cases,
digital materials can streamline studying, as well. Integrated highlighting and bookmarking features can make it easy to find specific information with larger resources, ensuring students can locate the material they need quickly.
Plus, digital materials are more portable. Instead of carrying an armload of books, students can reach all of the information they need from a laptop or tablet, reducing a significant physical burden.
Are You Ready to Meet Students Needs and Challenges This Academic Year?
If you want to update your coursework to meet the needs of today’s students and would benefit from the expertise of learning and development (L&D) professionals, Clarity Consultants wants to hear from you.
At Clarity, we have nearly three decades of L&D experience. We can streamline the process of updating your learning approach to ensure it addresses the needs of your students and the challenges that may lie ahead. Plus, if you want to expand your internal L&D team, we can connect you with high-quality L&D candidates right when you need them.
If you are ready to partner with leading L&D professionals, Clarity Consultants is here.
Contact us today.
