Hello colleagues,
The cusp between 2018 and 2019, and the new year, may be a good time for reflection (or recovery, depending on your situation). This article from eCampus News, "Experts say we’re approaching a third wave of higher-ed reform" exploring "demand-driven education" is relevant to adult secondary education and transition to college programs for adults as well as to higher education. From the article:
The authors outline a number of suggestions for individuals, education systems, and industry, pulled from promising practices observed in the U.S. and the U.K., including:
• Competency-based education, which allows learners to show what they know as soon as they know it and move quickly to the next level
• Employer and industry-led models, which radically lower the opportunity costs of education by providing further training on the job
• The latest labor market intelligence tools and techniques, which provide educators with powerful insights into the changing skills marketplace
• Dynamic and work-based pedagogy, to instill the critical skills needed for the future of work
• New pathways and business models that support access and completion for learners at any point in their career and at virtually any income level
Here are five questions for you to think about:
1. Should your program be competency-based? Is it already? If not, what would you need to get there?
2. Does your ASE or transition to college program prepare students to succeed in post-secondary education and/or training?
3. Is it aligned with what employers in your community need, so that they will want to hire your students?
4. Does your program work with employers to provide (company-funded) workplace basic skills programs for employees who need these skills? If not, should it?
5. Does your program provide students with the digital literacy skills (computer, smartphone comfort and competence ) they will need to get and keep good jobs?
I welcome your thoughts, questions and comments.
David J. Rosen, Moderator
LINCS CoP Program Management group