{"id":58259,"date":"2021-07-22T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T12:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=58259"},"modified":"2021-07-26T23:33:50","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T03:33:50","slug":"what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-university-as-the-digital-competition-grows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-university-as-the-digital-competition-grows\/","title":{"rendered":"What to look for when choosing a university as the digital competition grows"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Online teaching became the norm almost overnight when the pandemic hit. For students, the situation\u2019s complexity was brutal, the shift frustrating but unavoidable.<\/p>\n

Prospective students weighing up study options might have been confused too. However, they are now better placed to understand what universities offer in an increasingly competitive digital learning market. They also have more choices.<\/p>\n

Incoming University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott has warned competition for enrolments is intensifying as students\u2019 options grow. \u201cThe [news] media experience demonstrated clearly that your competitors in the digital space went well beyond your traditional competitors in the analog space,\u201d\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0Scott, a former managing editor of the ABC and senior executive at Fairfax Media.<\/p>\n

\u201cDigital\u201d education will redefine how students view and select universities. It may allow for more personalised learning paths, lifelong and more accessible learning, upskilling for employment and a more remote and diverse body of students.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no going back to the old model<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As learning became removed from the campus experience last year, learner-teacher engagement and peer networking altered dramatically. The digital transition was a monumental and urgent task.<\/p>\n

But time has passed. Fully or partly digitalised university programs have proliferated. And many have become more sophisticated as academics and students receive support to take the leap.<\/p>\n

A recent\u00a0PwC report<\/a>\u00a0on higher education digitisation affirms:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe changes forced by the rapid digitisation of the sector will not be undone.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cDigital\u201d in education can now mean anything from simple videoed lectures, online documents and tutorials to high-end digital animation and simulation tools.<\/p>\n

Just before the\u00a0current<\/a>\u00a0lockdowns<\/a>, Macquarie University, among others,\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0most lectures would continue online while \u201csmall group\u201d in-person learning would require students to wear masks. Melbourne University\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0it was \u201cplanning to deliver around 90% of semester 2 subjects on campus\u201d. It is also rolling out \u201cblended synchronous learning<\/a>\u201d using in-venue microphones and cameras so remote and campus-based students come together in a single class, its DVC (Academic) Gregor Kennedy said.<\/p>\n

RMIT University\u00a0posted<\/a>: \u201cClasses that require specialist spaces or equipment will be prioritised for on-campus learning.\u201d At\u00a0Sydney University<\/a>, the campus was to remain open during lockdown for critical teaching and research activity only. The\u00a0University of Queensland<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Monash University<\/a>, among many others, have introduced online invigilated examinations.<\/p>\n

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Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge has reprimanded universities for not getting enough students back on campus even though theatres and sports stadiums have opened their doors, and says he wants to see a return to face-to-face lectures. | @JordsBaker<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/t.co\/FdnMPQrKVn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Age (@theage) May 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n