Eight years
from now, today’s fourth-graders will be finishing up high school in
preparation for their higher education experience. The campus classroom will be
much different by then, in the view of several experts interviewed by eCampus News.
For
starters, they think more students will arrive on campus with a number of
college credits already under their belts, thanks to more Advanced Placement
courses and partnerships with colleges near their high schools. That’s assuming
students even need to show up on the physical campus.
“The
average student, an admittedly fluid term that will be even harder to define a
decade from now, will likely take some courses on a traditional campus, but
also an equal mix of online courses, flipped or blended courses, and massive
open online courses (MOOCs),” wrote Jake New.
Some—possibly
many—traditional universities may go out of business. The Clayton Christensen
Institute, founded by a notable Harvard business professor, puts the bankruptcy
rate at 25% to 50% of universities by 2030. Those that survive will have to
reimagine graduation requirements, breaking the normal 15-week courses into
shorter, more focused learning segments that award certificates for successful
completion to students who may never need degrees as long as they continue to
update their knowledge and skills.
“Big data”
systems and digital apps will also help colleges and universities track student
progress, help those who are struggling with certain concepts, and steer others
to the right courses.