Competency and skills-based learning, as well
as career readiness, are top concerns for higher-ed
students
SALT
LAKE CITY, Oct. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure,
the maker of Canvas, recently released its annual global report
focused on the state of higher education. Key findings from the
report include the factors that lead to student success, what's
hindering students from succeeding and important elements for
measuring success, such as the importance of mental health support
for students. View the full report: State of Student Success and
Engagement in Higher Education.
"We are seeing a growing group of non-traditional students that
demand change in the way institutions offer courses," said
Melissa Loble, chief customer
experience officer at Instructure. "Learners are looking for
flexibility and an emphasis on career skills in preparation for
entering the workforce. Institutions that offer holistic solutions,
such as mental health resources and mentoring programs, will go a
long way in ensuring student success."
In its third year, the "State of Higher Education" research
reflects a survey of over 7,500 current students, administrators
and faculty from 23 countries representing a mixture of two-year,
four-year, public and private higher education institutions. The
report uncovered six key trends:
1. Students are demanding convenience and
flexibility. Learners now expect a higher standard of online
course design as part of any teaching and learning experience and
want options between in-person, online, or hybrid courses.
- Two-thirds of students (62%) want to take some courses fully
online and nearly three-quarters of faculty (72%) want to teach
some courses fully online.
- As a result of the pandemic, respondents have a more positive
attitude towards digital material (69%), open education resources
(65%), combined in-person and online instruction (61%), online
learning (59%) and online exam proctoring (51%).
- NORAM students are likely to take online (59%) and hybrid
classes (57%). NA faculty are also likely to teach online (57%) and
hybrid classes (75%).
2. Career readiness is of paramount
importance. Preparing students for a career path
after graduation, whether they are traditional students,
part-time students, or mid-career, is still the primary concern of
students, faculty and administrators. However, administrators and
students agree that this is the area where institutions struggle
most.
- Work/career readiness is the factor respondents say (32%) their
institution struggles with most.
- Most respondents (71%) believe work/career readiness (82%),
skill competency (87%), and student advancement (83%) are the most
important factors when measuring student success.
- North America (27%) and EMEA
(23%) are significantly less likely to believe their institution
struggles with work/career readiness.
3. Competency-based and skills-based learning
is in growing demand. There will always be learners who
seek to pursue the traditional degree-learning programs. However,
other groups of students are looking to complete skills-based
learning that allows them to enter the workforce quickly or enable
career progression opportunities in a cost-effective and efficient
way.
- Globally, two-thirds of respondents consider competency-based
education the most important factor for students. This is the case
for 57% of respondents in NORAM compared to 72% in APAC
(Asia Pacific).
4. Tech-enhanced pedagogy is critical for
student engagement. Student success today requires the
availability of technology resources, as well as engaging content
and instruction from technology-proficient faculty.
- More than half of respondents (52%) have a positive perception
of online learning, while one-third have a negative perception
(29%).
- Institutions are most likely to utilize education technology
solutions to help students feel more engaged, such as video
communications systems (57%), classroom management tools (50%), and
learning management systems (42%).
- NORAM (53%) offer diversity training, while APAC institutions
(59%) are most likely to provide technological training, and LATAM
(52%) offer periodic workshops.
5. The digital divide, or gap between those
with and those without the internet, directly impacts student
success. Internet connectivity continues to be one of the
most basic needs of learners across the globe. Institutions are
responding to students' needs, including focusing on bridging the
digital divide in a variety of ways.
- The socioeconomic factors with the greatest impact on student
engagement are access to the internet (91%), technology devices
(89%), and learning resources (89%).
- In NORAM (89%) access to the internet, technology devices (88%)
and learning resources (87%) are the socioeconomic factors with the
greatest impact on student engagement.
6. The psychological well-being of students
is at the forefront of the conversation on student
success. Building a culture of care is more important than
ever. The framework of the college experience continues to evolve;
fortunately, institutions are responding to an increased focus and
desire for mental health care as an integral part of the higher
education support system.
- Globally, administrators are significantly more likely to
believe that their institution is doing well in addressing mental
health issues (56%) compared to students (42%).
- Institutions' top offerings to support mental health are
counseling (52%), campus well-being events (45%), and mentorship
programs (33%).
- NORAM Institutions primarily address mental health issues
through counseling (62%) and campus well-being events (52%).
Instructure's chief product officer, Shiren Vijiamsingam, will
present at the Educause conference on Wednesday, October 26 from 2:15 PM to 3:00 PM MT. In his presentation
"Intentional Innovation," he will share insights based on global
trends from the study and discuss current realities of higher
education institutions, including how innovation impacted students,
faculty and administrators.
Survey Methodology
The survey was fielded in
July 2022 and was cleaned and
analyzed by Hanover Research. After fielding and data cleaning, the
study consisted of 7,572 qualified, completed responses. The data
was then cut into crosstabs by region, country, and role, along
with various additional subsegments, such as socioeconomic status.
We performed statistical significance testing across segments with
a 95% confidence level using a Z-Test with p = less than 0.05 and a
margin of error +/- 1% for the overall sample size. For any
questions regarding the underlying methodology or data, please
contact us at studentsuccess@instructure.com.
ABOUT INSTRUCTURE
Instructure (NYSE: INST) is an
education technology company dedicated to elevating student
success, amplifying the power of teaching, and inspiring everyone
to learn together. Today the Instructure Learning Platform supports
tens of millions of educators and learners around the world. Learn
more at www.instructure.com.
Contact
Brian
Watkins
Corporate Communications
Instructure
(801) 610-9722
BRIAN.WATKINS@INSTRUCTURE.COM
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SOURCE Instructure