Kristen D. Fox’s Post

A good couple of days connecting with other UK #HigherEducation online learning leaders this week. I think it's fair to say that we are all wanting to make education available as widely as possible, with a view to sustainable growth of online education in institutions, and centred firmly on what learners, students and professional sectors need. Where we go next needs clear articulation of the benefits of personal and corporate investment in designed, purposeful education - whatever the specific type of course, stackable, chunk or programme of learning is called - and the national structures that fund and enable flexible study to meet the changing career paths many people are experiencing or desire. If we can appreciate how education is not something you do once and you're set for your career, but reframe the educational discussion as something that goes in parallel with our lives, it opens up a whole different dialogue. We can then consider education as a series of milestone events and as an ever growing picture of experiences, as our ambitions change and we grow as individuals. How we offer inclusive and flexible online education that truly shifts the growth of society cannot be determined by institutions in isolation. We have to come together to provide meaningful propositions and collaborate with prospective students and industries to adapt and align education for the future. #OnlineLearning #EducationFutures #LifelongLearning

This is a long-standing challenge within higher education. Finding a way to transcript durable skills as well as credit for prior learning experiences that is recognized by peer institutions as well as employers continues to be a minefield. Some institutions are more in tuned with non-traditional students, most frequently community colleges, but those transcripted experiences rarely transfer to a 4-year college or university.

Universities need to figure out how to credential both durable skills (like critical thinking, communication, and leadership) AND prior learning experiences. It’s important for employer-education partnerships and lifelong learners! Fascinating blog by @Alberto Acereda highlights why this transformation is crucial for both academic success and workforce readiness. #HigherEducation #FutureOfLearning #WorkforceReadiness #Education #PriorLearning #DurableSkills @educationassessmentsystem https://loom.ly/3bkewuY

Big news coming soon! In late January, we will release our findings from the Research Practice Collaborative Phase 1 🚀 At America Succeeds, we believe that Durable Skills — like critical thinking, communication, and leadership — are essential for unlocking career success and economic mobility. But what educational practices lead to effective and equitable delivery and development of these skills? Over the past year, we’ve been working with Chris Unger and Michael Dean from Northeastern University to study a diverse cohort of schools across the country through our Research Practice Collaborative (RPC) to answer this question. Phase 1 of this research has been eye-opening, and we can’t wait to share the findings with you in January! 👉 In the meantime, revisit our blog that details the beginning of this exciting journey to learn about the RPC and our bold vision for quality durable skills education: https://lnkd.in/gbX8c5yd We will be sharing more RPC blog content throughout the week to preview the findings coming in January. Stay tuned — we’re just getting started, and the future of Durable Skills education is bright! 🌟 #DurableSkills #EducationInnovation #FutureOfWork #ResearchPracticeCollaborative #WorkforceDevelopment

Beyond the Surface: Insights from Misquoted Wisdom for Higher Education Professionals We often hear familiar sayings like “The early bird gets the worm” or “Jack of all trades, master of none.” But have you ever considered what these quotes truly mean when we look beyond their surface? 🤔 In my latest blog post, I explore how these misquoted pieces of wisdom can offer deeper insights into our roles and practices in academia: 🔍 "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." This lesser-known addendum reminds us that patience and strategy can be as crucial as speed. In higher education, rushing to implement new policies without considering the needs of all stakeholders can have unintended consequences. Instead, we should strive for strategic foresight and community buy-in. 🎓 "Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one." Being versatile in our roles can be a significant asset in the interconnected world of higher education. Drawing from my own experience of serving in multiple interim roles, I highlight how adaptability can foster collaboration and enhance problem-solving across departments. 💡 "Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ." Conformity isn’t always a sign of intelligence. Avoiding groupthink and embracing diverse viewpoints can lead to more innovative and effective solutions. These insights and more can help us rethink how we collaborate and make decisions in our institutions. Are we considering all the context behind the decisions we make, or are we rushing to act without seeing the bigger picture? Dive deeper into these reflections and learn how we can all foster a culture of thoughtful, inclusive, and strategic decision-making in academia. What quotes do you know where the full quote has a deeper meaning than the popular truncated version? Where do you see this phenomenon in higher ed? #HigherEducation #Leadership #StrategicThinking #Collaboration #ProfessionalDevelopment #AcademicLeadership #Versatility #ContinuousImprovement #Innovation

🔔 **High Education: A Pathway or a Paradox?** In a world that's constantly evolving, **high education** remains a beacon of opportunity. But here's the million-dollar question: Is it a pathway to success or a paradox that's become too enigmatic to navigate? Let's dive deeper 💡 ## The Benefits We Can't Ignore: - **Knowledge Empowerment**: High education equips us with the skills and knowledge to tackle the world's most pressing issues. - **Networking Opportunities**: The connections made during this phase can open doors that would otherwise remain shut. - **Personal Growth**: It's an arena where critical thinking, resilience, and ethical reasoning are nurtured. But every coin has two sides. ## The Challenges We Must Face: - **Soaring Costs**: With tuition fees skyrocketing, is it a feasible option for everyone? - **Job Market Realities**: Is a degree still the golden ticket, or have practical skills and experience eclipsed it? - **Mental Health**: The pressure to excel academically can weigh heavily on students, making it a double-edged sword. ### Are We Measuring Success Correctly? We often categorize success through conventional metrics—GPAs, degrees, alma maters. But should we also account for: - **Real-World Skills**: Communication, leadership, and adaptability. - **Emotional Intelligence**: Self-awareness and empathy go a long way in personal and professional settings. - **Lifelong Learning**: The willingness to continually adapt and learn might be the most valuable attribute of all. ## The Future of High Education: How do we redefine education to better prepare ourselves for an unpredictable future? - **Tech Integration**: Online learning platforms have democratized education but also created a digital divide. How do we bridge this gap? - **Global Perspectives**: In an interconnected world, cross-cultural competencies are indispensable. Are we fostering global citizens? - **Sustainability**: Education systems need to go beyond conventional curricula to include lessons on sustainability and social responsibility. ### Your Thoughts? High education is a complex journey with many possible routes. It’s time to have an honest conversation about its true value and potential pitfalls. - What have been your experiences with higher education? - How do you see the future of education evolving? Comment below and let's start this important conversation. 🌍💬 #HigherEducation #FutureOfLearning #ChangeInEducation #LifelongLearning #CareerGrowth #SuccessBeyondDegrees

In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving world, the role of higher education spans beyond just a degree – it’s about evolving mindsets, fostering innovation, and nurturing the ability to embrace change. Higher education is more than classrooms and textbooks; it’s the catalyst that transforms curious minds into visionary leaders. Here’s why higher education matters, more than ever: 🧠 **Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:** Classrooms at reputable universities aren’t just spaces for absorbing information. They’re laboratories for the mind, where critical thinking and problem-solving take front stage. They empower students to question the status quo and find solutions to real-world problems. 🌐 **Global Perspective:** Higher education institutions often provide a multicultural environment which is crucial in today’s interconnected world. Being exposed to diverse perspectives prepares students to thrive in global settings and adapt to different cultural nuances. 🔍 **Research and Innovation:** Great ideas that change the world often originate in university research labs. Higher education fosters a culture of curiosity and innovation, driving advances in technology, healthcare, and various fields that improve our quality of life. 👥 **Networking Opportunities:** It’s not just what you know, but who you know. Campus environments create a unique ecosystem where students can build lifelong professional connections with peers, professors, and industry experts. These networks often become invaluable over the course of one's career. 📈 **Economic Mobility:** Data consistently shows that individuals with higher education credentials enjoy greater job opportunities and higher earning potential. It’s an investment in yourself that pays dividends over a lifetime. 🏆 **Lifelong Learning:** The best education doesn’t just end at graduation. It instills the importance of lifelong learning—a mindset that keeps professionals relevant and adaptable as industries and technologies evolve. In essence, higher education equips students with more than just knowledge. It prepares them to lead with confidence, innovate fearlessly, and adapt seamlessly in the ever-changing landscape of the global economy. As professionals, let’s champion the value of higher education and support institutions that strive to push boundaries and expand horizons. Let's recognize that education is a journey, not a destination, and encourage continuous learning in every stage of life. What do you think is the most valuable skill or experience gained from higher education? Share your thoughts below! 👇

👏 I had the pleasure of being invited by Handshake to engage in a discussion with Manuelle Malot (EDHEC Business School) on two major issues: rankings and the diversification of career paths, as well as strategies for business and engineering schools. Here are my inputs: 💡 Rankings: a lever, not an end in themselves. Rankings should not dictate the strategy of schools; they must remain a marketing tool. An institution's performance should reflect the quality of its educational offering and stay true to its DNA. Over-focusing on rankings can hinder the diversity of career paths, especially when tuition fees (in France) have surged by an average of 68% over the past decade in business schools, driven by competitive pressure and costly infrastructure investments. ✅ Students are neither clients nor passive learners: they are educational Partners. They actively shape their own learning journey. Choosing a school should reflect their personal aspirations beyond its ranking or short-term criteria. ⛔ Contradictory expectations for schools. Schools are expected to showcase high salaries while also promoting less lucrative fields such as entrepreneurship or ecological transition. 👉 Preserving their identity is essential to ensure a sustainable and distinctive impact without placing undue pressure on students, academic staff, and administrative teams. ✅ An expanded role for schools through strategic partnerships: 1️⃣ Schools must collaborate with companies beyond recruitment by developing research chairs and adopting a strategy of breaking down silos. While widely established in engineering schools due to industrial challenges, chairs remain underutilized in management education despite the critical importance of managerial innovation. 2️⃣ Lifelong learning should be at the heart of institutional strategy. It raises the overall level of the institution: top-tier schools have understood this and generate a significant share of their revenue through Executive Education. The Financial Times’ latest European Business Schools ranking provides valuable insight by considering both initial and continuing education. 👉 Clarifying the contribution of management research and building a collaborative ecosystem that brings together companies, researchers, and students is key to addressing major transitions. This approach will foster innovation, enhance employability, and ensure the long-term impact of schools on their ecosystem and Alumni networks. If the topic is of interest to you, please do to hesitate to comment, like or repost! #HigherEducationLeadership #BusinessSchools #EducationStrategy #UniversityRankings #FutureOfEducation #FTRanking Financial Times Valerie Capers Workman Handshake Julie Sapède Mélodie Robeiri The Economist Andrew Jack

The ongoing disruption in higher education isn’t just about integrating new technologies or methodologies. It’s about radically reimagining the role of educational institutions in society. It’s about ensuring that learning is a lifelong endeavor, accessible to all, and directly linked to evolving industry needs and societal changes. Visionary planning is essential in navigating this landscape effectively. We must develop strategies that are not only responsive to current trends but are also forward-thinking enough to prepare for future challenges and opportunities. This means setting medium and long-range goals that anticipate technological advancements, demographic shifts, and the changing nature of work. Key questions to consider include: • How can institutions be more agile and responsive over the next decade? • What skills will be essential for the workforce of the future, and how can education systems preemptively nurture them? • How do we balance technology integration with the essential human touch to ensure holistic development? The challenge before us is significant. It requires bold leadership, innovative thinking, and a willingness to experiment and learn from both successes and failures. Let’s initiate conversations around these questions. Let’s share insights and learn from diverse perspectives. The future is being shaped by the decisions we make today, and it’s crucial that we craft an educational system that is robust, equitable, and forward-thinking. #HigherEducation #InnovationInEducation #FutureOfWork #LifelongLearning #EducationReform #StrategicPlanning

Explore some key takeaways from the 2024 JAM Executive Summit and discover what expert advice higher education leaders are taking back to their institutions. #HigherEd #HigherEdTrends #JAM https://hubs.la/Q02BHJhr0