The field of higher education is changing and will change radically over the next few years. Higher education institutions must implement a new strategy that takes into account three relatively new characteristics/parameters that are completely changing the face of this field :
- Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is based on the assumption that people today are looking for diverse ways to improve everything related to personal knowledge, skills and competencies based on the understanding that the current era is characterized by changes and developments at a rapid pace. Those who do not assimilate such a dynamic learning concept will find it difficult to advance in the labor market.
- Micro Education
Or micro learning — is an approach of short sprints. Instead of studying for three years for an undergraduate degree, The Millennials choose to study specific areas in short frames of several months and then move on to the next profession. For example: You study a course in product development for a few months, then a few months of professional training in digital marketing and maybe then a short course in the field of artificial intelligence uses. This type of mix creates an up-to-date, efficient and evolving professional (once every few years it is necessary to update knowledge through additional courses). These courses can be at an institution of higher education (if institutions of higher education understand the value of this trend) or in online or community frameworks.
3. Artificial intelligence as a tool that enhances learning . Much has been written and said about the impact of artificial intelligence on the field of education and higher education.
There are lecturers/teachers/institutions trying to fight the phenomenon in which students use smart machines of various kinds. They don’t have a chance.
What we will see already in the near future is that students are learning to work with artificial intelligence technology as an supportive tool. AI-based knowledge is built on study templates that are characterized by a request format. The student needs to know what to ask for, understand which templates to fill out, and in the end a puzzle of new knowledge is obtained for each subject. It’s about dialogue with a smart machine. Students learn to ask questions, especially good follow-up questions, and then know how to make intelligent use (preferably with practical tasks) of the answers provided by artificial intelligence.
The field of artificial intelligence will transfer the education system to a new mode of personalization. AI-powered tools can analyze student performance data and provide personalized recommendations for improvement in areas where they have difficulties. AI-powered chatbots can also provide instant feedback to students and answer their questions online. AI-powered online courses can create personalized learning plans for each student based on their interests and abilities.
Higher education institutions must build work programs based on the triangle of Life Long Learning & Micro Education & AI capabilities
They must offer short study frameworks that meet different student’s needs (at different junctures in their career path), and they must also treat AI capabilities as an opportunity for improvement and not as an enemy that threatens to undermine historical learning patterns.
