It’s not a secret that education is different today than it was 50—or even five—years ago. That is because it is constantly evolving along with the demand for an improved learning experience.
As technology continues to progress at an alarming rate, the education field has no choice but to keep up! In doing so, education, learning, and universities have changed as a result.
The following is a collection of very significant ways in which the college landscape has changed and continues to change each day:
1. Distance Learning
Growing in popularity, distance learning is no longer a perk for institutions to have. It is a requirement in order for them to stay relevant. Many employers will pay for their employees to obtain continuing education to keep their business practices current.
2. Technology
Similarly, technology is changing at an increasing rate. From the way students learn all the way down to how they pay for their education each semester, technology is making a lasting impact on education. Thanks to technology, hundreds of online universities have popped up offering students the opportunity to earn their degree from home. Standing colleges and universities have also adopted the online education option, giving students the opportunity to gain the in-classroom experience and flexibility of working online.
3. College is More Prominent Among all Ages
Many jokingly refer to the bachelor’s degree as the new high school diploma—and, in some ways this statement is true. The demand for college-educated workers is increasing with time as university students are growing in numbers.
Many no longer consider the high school diploma a suitable prerequisite to entry-level positions. Rather, the bachelor’s degree has become a base requirement in many fields, with a master’s degree remaining the deciding factor between applicants.
Accordingly, more students are competing for places in universities, making them much more competitive due to the increased demand.
4. Quality is Always Improving
According to BlackBoard, “Graduates need to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the workplace, so there is an increasing focus on the quality of the education that is offered. There is also a growing recognition that participants in today’s economy will work collaboratively, beyond borders.”
5. International Students are On the Ris
The United States is currently noted as the most popular destination for students who wish to learn abroad. A 2011 study showed that approximately 75% of prospective international students identified the United States as their primary preferred study destination. The next runner up was the United Kingdom, at just 8.4%. This makes it clear that the USA is a highly sought after destination when international studies are concerned.
Therefore, more students come or plan to attend school in the US from across the globe than anywhere else on the earth!
International students are a positive addition to any university. These students promote campus-wide diversity, foster bonds between universities and foreign countries, and can increase awareness and tolerance among students of all backgrounds by simply representing their own cultural backgrounds.
Internationals students can learn more about which university you should pick when looking to study abroad!
6. Social Media
Students’ social media usage is on the rise—and, accordingly, so is their interaction with a university’s social media pages. Students who are enrolled in or applying to a particular university will often interact with it online through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media accounts.
According to US News, “Colleges are making an effort to monitor conversations about their schools on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and to correct any misinformation that may deter future students.”
This means that schools have a lot more work to do these days—keeping up with social media can be quite time consuming, as it is updated rapidly and continuously. Engaging students on social media is one factor, while maintaining the school’s positive reputation with all of the great things the university has accomplished and instilling excitement into current and prospective students is another task in itself. As a matter of fact, some colleges and universities have created a job position just for such a task!
7. Parents Play a New Role
Students are becoming increasingly dependent on parental assistance when it comes time to apply for college. While the students of the 1980s took most of the responsibility for themselves, today’s parents are stepping in to audit and direct the process.
“Now parents are more involved in every aspect of the college admissions process, and students don’t mind and often go to their parents for help.
Finances are one reason that parents are more involved with the process. It used to be easier for students to work their way through college, but now more students are financially dependent on their parents” (US News).
Because today’s economy is emerging from its recently volatile climate, some students are in need of resources from their parents and guardians to complete their education. Along with that support comes the direction from parents. Many believe that if they’re going to pay for it, they should have a say in it!
FNU: Preparing You for All the Changes Ahead
Florida National University (FNU) is committed to doing our very best to help our students succeed. That means that we are constantly looking for ways to improve and remain up-to-date on pressing issues in the educational sector. To learn more about what FNU has learned, contact us today.
