Higher Education Trends Post-COVID
Post-COVID higher education trends are moving toward a dramatically different environment that requires many changes. Colleges and universities can’t continue to do things the same way they did before the pandemic. From transforming their course scheduling software to partnering with businesses, institutions of higher learning are making changes to help students navigate the new educational landscape.
Remote Learning
Unsurprisingly, remote learning is one of the top trends in higher education. Many campuses are still closed to students. They don’t want to risk spreading COVID-19 by returning to the traditional model of crowded classrooms and lecture halls. While education is unquestionably important, campus administrations want to responsibly manage operations to keep everyone safe. Not only do they want to protect students, but they also want to maintain a positive image with the public and avoid becoming known as hot spots for the virus.
Hybrid Campuses
Other campuses are taking a hybrid approach in response to the same pressures. That means that some classes may take place online, while others will meet in person, many out of necessity. For example, it’s all but impossible to do some biology and chemistry labs from home, simply because of the equipment needed to complete them. These colleges can make use of course scheduling software to allow students to safely schedule their classes. Appointment scheduling and queue management software can also help reduce crowded spaces and long lines, allowing students to make appointments with advisors, apply for financial aid, and conduct other business without having to risk transmission of illness in waiting rooms or lines. QLess software allows students to wait in virtual queues wherever they want, and they’ll receive notifications about their wait time on their mobile devices so they don’t have to arrive until it’s time for their appointment. These measures have been shown to improve student satisfaction and even retention!
Updated Teaching Technology
Since so much is being done online, another higher education trend involves the improvement of teaching technology. Zoom meetings are great, but teachers need platforms that will let them record their lectures in high resolution. They also need resources to store their recorded lectures and make them available to students, especially those who may be in quarantine or self-isolation after being exposed to the virus. It’s necessary to use programs that will allow students to participate in their lectures, as well. Higher education institutions need to review their existing software solutions and consider whether upgrading to new or different versions could allow them to facilitate learning more safely.
Collaborative Partnerships
Many colleges and universities are looking into collaborative opportunities with businesses that offer internships, trade schools, and companies that are willing to offer apprenticeships to students. Because the landscape of learning promises to change in the post-COVID world, students may not always be able to receive hands-on training in their fields. That’s why these partnerships represent another higher education trend. They stand to provide students with practical experience, which can give them a head start in the job market once they graduate.
Greater Flexibility
Flexibility is the word of the future. College administrations recognize the need to be more flexible with students, who may be experiencing quarantine fatigue, depression, or issues with focusing during remote learning. That’s where course scheduling software comes in, as well. Students can use scheduling software to register for classes, safely arrange meetings with their advisors, and schedule interviews with potential partners.
Almost all higher education trends are geared toward benefiting students and continuing to educate with safer methods and practices. Request a demo to find out more about how QLess can make life easier for students and university staff.