Top 10 Campus Technology Stories of 2020
A look back at the most-read stories of the year in higher education IT.
It's been an unusual year, to put things mildly. COVID-19 and remote learning have dominated the discourse in higher education technology circles — and that's certainly reflected in the reading habits of Campus Technology's audience of IT decision-makers. Below, in ranked order, are the stories that generated the most interest in 2020.
1) Johns Hopkins Dashboard Maps Global Coronavirus Cases
In the early days of the pandemic, the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University developed an interactive, web-based dashboard that tracks the status of COVID-19 around the world. That tool quickly became the go-to resource for COVID data.
2) Free and Discounted Ed Tech Tools for Online Learning During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As more and more colleges and universities shut down their campuses to curb the spread of COVID-19, education technology companies stepped forward to help move student learning to the virtual realm.
3) Where to Get Free WiFi for Students During COVID-19
In a similar vein, telecom companies also stepped up to provide free WiFi hotspots and free or discounted broadband services for students in need.
4) COVID-19's Ultimate Impact on Online Learning: The Good and the Bad
According to Michael Horn, co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, higher education's rapid move to online learning this past spring may have left a sour taste in the mouths of students and faculty across the country, but there is a silver lining.
5) Updated Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Map Adds Local Data
Soon after launching its COVID-19 dashboard, Johns Hopkins University upgraded the map tool to include local data from every city and county in the United States.
6) Google Adds 3 New Certificates on Coursera
In July, Google announced three new certificate programs on Coursera: Data Analytics, Project Management, and User Experience Design.
7) 9 Resources for When Coronavirus Moves Your Course Online
To help with the rapid transition to remote learning, Campus Technology gathered our top stories on online teaching and instructional design, chock full of tips and best practices from the trenches.
8) Adding Escape Rooms to Your Online Course
Here's how a virtual version of the escape room concept is engaging students at Northampton Community College.
9) 15 Trends Shaping the Future of Higher Education
The Educause 2020 Horizon Report identified 15 social, technological, higher education and political trends that are influencing teaching and learning in higher ed today — and will have a lasting impact on tomorrow.
10) Gale to Bring Udemy Learning Content to Libraries
Thanks to a partnership between Gale and Udemy, "Gale Presents: Udemy" has provided library patrons with access to 3,500 on-demand video courses in 75 different topics from Udemy's business collection.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].