#IdeaPlus

online format, I consider that it will be
easier for the industry to be more present
in Higher Education. I also think that there
are already some other good news, like
the fact that many of the competencies
that employers are demanding today
can be developed much more
effectively through a hybrid model, where
the contact hours are less, but more
meaningful, and where students can take
advantage of a much more active
learning experience. The new context will
be a much better environment for a
flipped classroom approach, where more
practical, collaborative
and experiential
learnings take place,
and where crucial
competences like
critical thinking,
communication,
teamwork, adaptation,
computer literacy or
global mindset can be
enhanced more
effectively.
7. How will education
management change in the
post Covid world?
I think that the basic principles of Higher
Education will continue to be the same:
universities will have to provide students
with the necessary conditions for them to
learn and get ready for a successful
career and a positive contribution as
citizens. Those conditions will still be
related to the curriculum, the learning
resources, the learning environment and
the faculty members, and academic
leaders will have to take care of each
element thoroughly. The difference will be
that technology needs to play a
protagonist role in each of them, and that
will need to be reflected in all the future
investments and strategies. Education
With greater
clarity, I see a new
historical period
starting in
education, where
technology will be
one of the main
protagonists.
can be much more effective, engaging
and personalized thanks to technology,
but we will have to embrace the future
and manage change without fear. I
believe that will be the major difference. I
also believe that faculty members will be
even more important now, since the
change can only happen with their
conviction and support. We will need to
provide them with good development
opportunities, make them part of a
learning community themselves, support
them technically and pedagogically, and
recognise them. We will also
need to ensure the readiness
of students in this new
learning model, starting
with their access to
technology and some
key skill like time
management and
autonomous work.
8. How will the economics
of higher education
change ahead?
I hope this situation
proves that online/ hybrid
education can be as good, if not better
than purely face to face education. But in
order to provide students with high quality
online education, major investments in
technology, innovation and talent need
to be made, which means that online
education cannot be expected to be
much cheaper than face to face. We
may argue that a football stadium is no
longer something necessary, but so many
other expenses will be there. What will be
important to consider is the return on
investment, which must be as high as
possible, so that graduates and society
can benefit from a new model that will
enhance future prosperity.
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