Hi, LO listers,
Having been involved in higher ed in a variety compacities for the past
decade, I'd say that the issue is the viability of the educational systems
which have been designed as they have. As a society, we have been very
degree/certification oriented, and that a university degree is the answer
to a career. That is changing, and students are asking for the relevancy
of much what takes place within that environment. So I think the pressure
is on universities and colleges to design programs which are relevant to
the world of work and can attract participant learners. The problem is in
designing programs that develop the person as much as providing the
knowledge and skills for the workplace. And my sense is that many
students don't believe they have time to engage in that "soft" learning.
And the winners will be those that innovate and market well, who have
built up their endowments to provide discounted rates to specific classes
of students, and who service the needs of students, employers and
communities well. And the winners will be students who will find more
choices, though not more traditional choices, and better programs to meet
their needs.
And for small colleges, it will be most difficult because the cost of all
this change will be high. That will be where the loss of schools and
programs will be most evident.
I'd be interested to hear from any on the list who work at small colleges
and universities about how their schools are addressing these issues.
Thanks,
Ed Brenegar
Leadership Resources
828/693-0720
edb3@msn.com
--"Ed Brenegar" <edb3@msn.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>