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Digital Transformation

Here you'll find articles exploring digital transformation in higher education.


Research: Compromised On-Premises Accounts Blamed in 75% of Attacks Targeting Education

In three of four cyberattacks targeting education institutions over the last 12 months, IT and security practitioners surveyed by Netwrix cited compromised on-premises user or admin accounts as the attack pathway, according to a new report.

Southwest Texas Junior College Increases Online Courses and Certificates

Southwest Texas Junior College, a community college serving a large 11-county area, announced it has partnered with instructional design firm iDesign to create new online courses and certificates in STEM, the humanities, social sciences, and more.

Zoom One for Education Launches with Unified Communications, Licensing for Universities

Zoom has globally launched its new Zoom One for Education plan, offering a unified communications and collaboration licensing option designed specifically for education organizations, according to a news release.

IBM Commits to Train 2 Million AI Learners for Free by 2026

As part of the 2023 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, IBM announced it will train, for free, 2 million learners in AI worldwide within the next three years, building on its existing commitment to skill 30 million learners by 2030.

University of Phoenix Releases Generative AI Philosophy and Academic Guidance

Effective Sept. 1, 2023, the University of Phoenix has released a new Generative AI Philosophy and Academic Guidance statement.

DeVry University Launches AI Lab

Announcing its commitment to provide "an education tailored to address the needs of an AI-driven workplace," DeVry University has launched a new AI Lab, which will be focused on discovering which AI skills are needed in an AI-driven career and how to prepare for it.

University of Phoenix Survey Explores Adults' Perceptions of AI for Use in Work and Education

The University of Phoenix commissioned a survey in July 2023 on how adults understand and feel about the use of generative AI. The survey of 2,045 adults ages 18 and older, performed online in July 2023 by Harris Poll, found that while most feel AI should be used in the workplace and classroom (59% and 57% respectively), a significant number don't understand the different forms of AI and don't feel completely comfortable about its accuracy.

Learning Analytics and the Future of Change in the Classroom

How does a university take the inordinate amount of data it collects and somehow make sense of it to build strategies for driving change in the classroom? And is it worth the investment?

7 Questions on Generative AI in Learning Design

Open LMS Adoption and Education Specialist Michael Vaughn on the challenges and possibilities of using artificial intelligence to move teaching and learning forward.

Pew Research: Americans Feel More Concerned Than Excited About AI

According to recent research conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, 52% of Americans feel "more concerned than excited" about the use of AI in daily life, compared to 37% in 2021 — an increase of 15 percentage points.

Digital Navigator Program Announced in Baltimore to Boost Internet Access

With the help of a $150,000 grant from Comcast, the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has started the Digital Navigator program to train about a dozen CCBC students to help residents, including other CCBC students, to get online.

Microsoft Announces New Generative AI Copyright Commitment

In response to concerns from Microsoft customers using its generative AI tools, Microsoft has announced it is extending its commitment to assume responsibility for copyright challenge legal risks, as long as customers use its built-in "guardrails" to prevent copyright infringement.

What to See at Tech Tactics in Education 2023

These session highlights offer the AI, data, and cybersecurity insights you need to navigate today's evolving technology landscape.

OpenAI Releases Educators' Guide for Teaching With AI

OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, has released a guide for educators on how to teach with AI in the classroom. The guide includes prompt ideas, how ChatGPT works and its limitations, ChatGPT effectiveness, and issues of bias.

Survey: College Students Both Excited and Concerned about AI Tools

A May 2023 survey of Gen Z students conducted by Touchstone Research shows how students perceive generative artificial intelligence, how they use it, and what they’re using the tools for — and college students are more likely to be using the tools for school work than younger students.

Educause 2023 Students and Tech Report Emphasizes Choice and Accessibility

Educause recently released its "2023 Students and Technology Report: Flexibility, Choice, and Equity in the Student Experience," which looks at findings in three key areas: how to support students living on- and off-campus, how students shape their higher education based on market pressures, and how accessibility impacts student education choices.

Institutional Analytics: The Data Revolution in Higher Education

Campus Technology sits down with David Weil, Vice President and Chief Information and Analytics Officer, Information Technology & Analytics, at Ithaca College, who will be delivering talks on both AI and data and analytics at the upcoming Tech Tactics in Education Conference, to be held Nov. 7–9 in Orlando, FL.

Transact Campus Partnership Lands Talkiatry Services on Campus Transact Apps

Virtual psychiatric care provider Talkiatry has announced a new partnership with mobile credential and payment provider Transact Campus that will make mental health support more available on college campuses, according to a news release.

Why It's Time to Examine Institutional Strategy for a Multi-Modal Future

Among the core themes of the recently released Changing Landscape of Online Education report is that growing student demand for online and hybrid learning is moving higher education toward a multi-modal future. We spoke with Dr. Bethany Simunich, co-director of the CHLOE Project, about key takeaways from the CHLOE 8 survey and why institutions that aren't examining their online strategy may be putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

OpenAI Intros ChatGPT for Enterprises

OpenAI has announced the launch of ChatGPT Enterprise, offering "enterprise-grade security and privacy, unlimited higher-speed GPT-4 access, longer context windows for processing longer inputs, advanced data analysis capabilities, customization options, and much more" for organizations that integrate the tool into their business operations.

Several Universities Partner with EdX to Offer AI Boot Camps in Fall 2023

Online learning platform edX has announced AI boot camps to start this fall at several universities nationwide. The online program will be especially geared to early- and mid-career professionals who wish to build AI skills rapidly for entry-level positions, the company said.

GigXR, DICOM Director Debut 3D Medical Imagery Learning Using Holograms of CT Scans and MRIs

Immersive learning platform GigXR has unveiled a new library of hyper-realistic 3D medical imagery derived from MRI and CT scans for use in healthcare education, training, and simulation, according to a news release.

University of Texas and Coursera Expand Free Microcredential Program for Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni

The University of Texas (UT) system and Coursera have partnered to offer an expanded, free microcredential program to any UT students, educators, staff, and alumni interested in obtaining microcredential certificates to help prepare them for new workforce demands.

CAPTRS, Institute for Experiential AI to Develop Human/AI Collaboration for Global Pandemic Response

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS) has partnered with Northeastern University's Institute for Experiential AI (EAI) to develop threat models for epidemic and pandemic disaster preparedness.

7 Questions on Anthology's Approach to AI

We spoke with Anthology Chief Product Officer JD White about his company's vision for AI as well as practical considerations for embracing AI tools in the classroom.

Ambow Education Introduces AI-Driven Hybrid Learning Platform

Ambow Education has announced its new AI digital instruction platform, HybriU, that integrates online and offline learning tools with multiple features geared to colleges and universities around the world.

Evidence in Motion Brings Hybrid Accelerated Doctoral Programs to Southern California University of Health Sciences

Healthcare hybrid learning company Evidence in Motion (EIM) has partnered with Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) to offer three hybrid accelerated doctoral programs starting in 2024.

WCET Survey Finds Slow AI Adoption at Colleges and Universities

The WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) conducted a national survey in April 2023 that showed colleges and universities have been slow to strategize and implement AI tools campuswide.

Quizlet Report Suggests Teachers Are Better Champions of AI Than Students

In its report, "State of AI in Education," ed tech company Quizlet found that teachers overall are better champions of AI than their students in recognizing its value.

Who's on First: Defining Institutional Roles in the Age of AI

Higher education is no stranger to disruptive technologies, and artificial intelligence is the latest to transform teaching, learning, and research. In order to thrive in this new age, institutions must plan, collaborate, and communicate an AI strategy for stakeholders across the campus.

Report: Graduates Uncertain About Workforce Readiness Because of AI

Cengage Group's third annual employability report, "AI Joins the Workforce," asked employers and graduates questions about how AI is impacting job skills requirements and whether graduates feel prepared for them. Their responses suggest a "quickly shifting employment landscape" of different hiring priorities, the report noted.

Report: CIOs Moving Decisively to Adopt Generative AI

Education, corporate, and government chief information officers globally are decisively adopting generative AI as a major part of their tech strategy. That was the conclusion reached in the recent MIT Technology Review Insights report, "The Great Acceleration: CIO Perspectives on Generative AI."

PhotoShelter Unveils AI Visual Search Capability Eliminating Need for Metadata

Digital asset management platform PhotoShelter has unveiled a new feature called AI Visual Search, giving brand subscribers the ability to search their entire brand library based on visual descriptions and eliminating the need to manually add metadata to images, according to a news release.

Generative AI Is a Top Emerging Risk for Enterprises, Gartner Says

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard have cracked the top-10 list of emerging risks for enterprises, according to a new report by research firm Gartner.

GrammarlyGO to Add New Features to Help Students Use AI Responsibly

Grammarly writing software company will introduce new features in late August to GrammarlyGO in time for the start of fall quarter. The new features, student-focused prompts, guardrails, and the ability to cite generative AI transparently, will help students to "augment — not replace — their critical thinking and communication skills," the company said.

Atlantic International U Integrates Dall-E into Virtual Campus and Curriculum Builder

Continuing its commitment to offer artificial intelligence technology to help students create or modify their chosen academic programs, Atlantic International University (AIU) in Honolulu has incorporated image generator Dall-E into its Virtual Campus and Curriculum Builder tool.

Simplilearn and UT Dallas to Offer AI and ML Boot Camp for the Digital Workforce

Online digital skills training company Simplilearn Solutions has teamed up with the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) to offer an online boot camp to upskill AI and machine learning (ML) professionals through the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Tech Companies Announce Frontier Model Forum to Address Safe, Responsible AI Development

Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI have partnered to launch the Frontier Model Forum to draw on the expertise of member companies to promote safety and responsibility in developing frontier AI models. They are calling for other companies to join them in this collective effort.

Educating the Next Generation in AI

What skills will students need for the workforce of the future in an age dominated by artificial intelligence? In addition to basic computer science, data competencies, and the mathematics and statistics behind AI and machine learning, there are a range of social impacts to consider: AI risk, ethics, privacy, questions of bias, etc. We spoke with Dakota State University President José-Marie Griffiths about how her institution is preparing students for careers in AI.

Turnitin AI Detection Rates: 3.3% of 65M Papers Reviewed Were Flagged as Majority AI Writing

​Of the more than 65 million student papers reviewed for AI writing by Turnitin's detection tool since April, more than 2 million — or 3.3% of all papers reviewed — have been flagged as containing 80% or more AI-written text, according to a news release.

Anthology Introduces AI-Enabled Course Building and Student Success Features in Blackboard Learn

At its annual Anthology Together 2023 conference, Anthology introduced new features and products in Blackboard Learn, along with two new Intelligent Experiences. The company also announced it has adopted Microsoft's Azure Open AI to power its spectrum of higher education ed tech solutions.

FCC Proposes Voluntary Cybersecurity Labeling Program for Smart Devices

The Federal Communications Commission chairwoman has introduced a proposal to create a “voluntary cybersecurity labeling program” for smart devices, in an effort to boost transparency and protection against cyber threats in the growing Internet of Things market – a channel that cyber criminals are increasingly using to attack education institutions.

Why Data Is the Most Important Tool for a Higher Education Leader

Tech Tactics in Education speaker Jason Simon shares how colleges and universities can better utilize data to tackle existential challenges and move toward analytic maturity across the institution.

Microsoft Seeks CS Instructors for Pilot of Visual Studio Code for Education

Microsoft has announced Visual Studio Code for Education, a new computer science instruction platform designed to teach students tools used by professional developers. Microsoft is inviting educators to join the pilot program, try it out in their classrooms in the 2023–24 school year, and provide feedback.

D2L Adds AI-Based Plagiarism Detection to Learning Platform

D2L has partnered with Copyleaks to integrate AI-based plagiarism detection into its D2L Brightspace learning platform.

Research: How IT Can Proactively Prepare for Enrollment Cliff, Support Institutional Initiatives

With institutions of higher education experience enrollment declines — and steeper drops projected over the next few years — IT departments must align their efforts with their institutions’ strategies for addressing the downturns, according to a new brief from advisors at Info-Tech Research Group.

MongoDB University Unveils Partnerships with Underrepresented Groups, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera

MongoDB University has announced new partnerships and initiatives to help close the widening software-development skills gap, according to a news release.

Time for Class 2023 Report Shows Number One Faculty Concern: Preventing Student Cheating Via AI

Tyton Partners' 2023 annual report, "Time for Class: Bridging Student and Faculty Perspectives on Digital Learning," notes that the premier concern of higher education faculty is preventing student cheating, mainly from the use of generative AI. This was up from being their number 10 concern in 2022.

AI Tools in Education: Doing Less While Learning More

Here, Mark Frydenberg, a Distinguished Lecturer of Computer Information Systems and director of the CIS Sandbox at Bentley University, shares his experiences using AI in education.

Cypher Learning Introduces AI-Powered Copilot to Accomplish 80% of Gamified Course Creation in Minutes

Learning platform company Cypher Learning has announced its release of Copilot, which uses a customized AI strategy to do 80% of the work to create complete, gamified courses and competency aligned assessments in mere minutes, according to a release.

Trust and Transparency Are Key Factors When Using AI in Academia

Much can be learned from embracing artificial intelligence in the teaching and learning process. Here, two professors share their experiences using ChatGPT freely in the classroom.

The Mechanics of Digital Transformation at National University

As National University's chief digital officer, Alex Chimon leads both the digital and the data realms, with the strategic goal of improving student outcomes and the student experience. We talked about NU's key digital transformation goals, how the worrisome capabilities of artificial intelligence will impact Dx efforts, overcoming fear of change, and more.

Data and Information Security Take the Spotlight at the Tech Tactics in Education Conference

The agenda for the 2023 Tech Tactics in Education conference has been revealed. The inaugural event will offer five tracks — two for K–12, two for higher education, and one for both — spotlighting data and IT security in the "new now."

Turning a Core Competency into a Campus Culture of Cybersecurity: A Guide for Higher Ed

A new guide for higher education from Ninjio on improving cyber defense through campus-wide training offers actionable advice for institutions’ leaders on how to translate their core competency — education — into a successful cybersecurity awareness program that reduces vulnerabilities and improves security posture across the entire campus and network.

Innovative Tools to Improve Student Success Take Top Honors at 1EdTech Conference

Nonprofit open-ecosystem collaborative 1EdTech Consortium recently awarded top honors to six higher education institutions for their development of “innovative and bold” ed tech tools that broaden access to personalized and accessible learning.

Territorium's Comprehensive Learner Record Achieves New Milestone

Territorium has become the first U.S. ed tech company to earn CLR 2.0 and Open Badges 3.0 certifications from 1EdTech, furthering the standardization of digital credentials — or “comprehensive learner records” — that are easily shared between digital wallets, the company said.

U Kentucky Establishes Committee to Explore and Make Recommendations on AI

The University of Kentucky (UK) has established the ADVANCE (Advancing Data utilization for Value in Academia for National and Campuswide Excellence) Committee to study AI and ChatGPT and make recommendations for their use on campus. Led by Provost Robert DiPaola, the committee includes a broad range of representatives from academic and administrative areas, according to a release.

Preparing for the Classrooms and Workplaces of the Future: Generative AI in edX

Here, we ask Anant Agarwal for his perspectives on the impacts of generative AI in higher education environments and what edX is doing to help lead the way in the productive use of innovative new tools based on the technology.

Snowflake Launches Government & Education Data Cloud

Data cloud company Snowflake has launched the Government & Education Data Cloud, a platform with specific, pre-built capabilities that give the public sector and education partners a single integrated cross-cloud data platform for multiple uses. This platform will meet international, federal, state, and local agency security and compliance standards, according to a release.

Offering Online Students a Front Row Learning Experience

At some point in our academic careers, most of us have found ourselves stuck in the back of an overcrowded lecture hall. Too far from the presenter to see or hear much of anything, it wasn't long before we lost interest, started on other work, or took a nap. Anyone sitting in those first few rows may have been enlightened and inspired, but for the rest of us, the class was less than productive. Higher education has set out to change that.

More IHEs Paid Ransoms in 2022, Even As Average Recovery Cost Fell, Sophos Research Finds

Nearly eight out of 10 higher ed organizations surveyed for Sophos’ 2023 State of Ransomware Report said they were hit by ransomware last year — a 23% increase from the previous year’s results — making education the most-attacked sector in 2022.

Apogee Intros Cloud and Security Professional Services for Higher Education

Managed services provider Apogee has introduced Cloud and Security Professional Services, offering expertise, tools, and processes to accelerate cloud adoption and strengthen an institution's security posture.

UC Berkeley Startup Accelerator and Nonprofit Cal Hacks to Host Generative AI Hackathon

Berkeley SkyDeck, a startup accelerator at the University of California, Berkeley, and Cal Hacks, a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering a culture of hacking, entrepreneurship, and social good, are teaming up to create a two-day generative AI hackathon to explore the potential of large language models and build a new generation of responsible AI.

Hallo Launches New Career Coaching and Jobs Platform with GPT-4 Coach Boris

On a “mission to fix the antiquated Career Services Center” system, Hallo has launched a revamped website for connecting students to career opportunities, and it features a personalized, AI-powered career coach named Boris, the company said in a news release.

New Educause Resource Offers Multimodal Learning Strategies

Higher education IT association Educause has released a new resource to help educators and IT leaders navigate changing learning modalities and better serve student needs. Part of the association's Showcase Series, "Online, In-Person, or Hybrid? Yes" pulls together reports, lessons learned, and other materials that align with the corresponding Top 10 IT Issue for 2023.

USC Viterbi School of Engineering Issues First On Chain Digital Credential

In a first for the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering, graduating 2023 Grand Challenge Scholars have received an on-chain, verifiable digital credential.

Institutions Must Plan for AI to Go Mainstream, Says 2023 Educause Horizon Report

Higher education technology association Educause recently released the 2023 Teaching and Learning Edition of its annual Horizon Report, forecasting the trends, technologies, and practices that will shape the future of postsecondary education. AI is a significant theme throughout the report, both appearing in the top technological trends for 2023 as well as factoring into the key technologies and practices impacting colleges and universities going forward.

The Dark Side of ChatGPT: 6 Generative AI Risks to Watch

Gartner has identified six critical areas where the use of large language models such as ChatGPT can present legal or compliance risks that enterprise organizations must be aware of — or face potentially dire consequences. Organizations should consider what guardrails to put in place in order to ensure responsible use of these tools, the research firm advised.

Turnitin: Of 38M Submissions Since April 4, 3.5% Had At Least 80% AI-Written Text

In the first six weeks of educators using Turnitin’s new AI writing detection feature, the platform processed 38.5 million submissions, and the results — as well as plenty of feedback from educators and administrators — led Turnitin to tweak the detector and to further explain the meaning and accuracy rates of the detection scores.

Airtame Launches 'Share to Call' to Enable Hassle-Free Screen-Sharing

Screen-sharing technology provider Airtame has released a new feature, Share to Call, on its hybrid conferencing platform to make screen sharing easy, the company said in a release. With Share to Call, anyone can instantly share their screen in a Zoom or Microsoft Teams call from their personal device without having to go through a lengthy process.

There Is No Going Back: College Students Want a Live, Remote Option for In-Person Classes

Based on a survey of college students over the last three semesters, students understand that remotely attending a lecture via remote synchronous technology is less effective for them than attending in person, but they highly value the flexibility of this option of attending when they need it.

USC Initiative to Integrate AI and Digital Literacy Skills for All Students

The University of Southern California (USC), long known for its advances in computer science and as a leading provider of tech talent, has announced a $1 billion-plus initiative called "Frontiers of Computing" to focus on "AI, machine learning and data science, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, gaming, and blockchain," according to a release.

Open LMS Partners with AI Detector to Combat Plagiarism

In the increasing climate of AI-generated content, educators are expressing growing concerns about plagiarized work from students and how to recognize it. Open LMS, a provider of Moodle-based open source learning management system platforms, has teamed up with AI detection company Copyleaks to help tackle this problem.

LG's New Ultra-Wide ProBeam 4K Laser Projector Offers Up to 285-Inch Image

Amid a growing demand for ultra-wide conferencing projection and new virtual presentation apps with multiple live views, LG Business Solutions USA has introduced a new 4K UHD laser projector with 21:9 aspect ratio support offering “maximum visibility,” according to a news release.

Majority of U.S. Education CISOs See Cyber Attack as Likely in Next 12 Months

A majority of chief information security officers in the U.S. education sector believe they’re likely to experience a material cyber attack in the next 12 months, and a majority have dealt with a material loss of sensitive data in the previous 12 months, according to the newest Voice of the CISO report published this week by cybersecurity company Proofpoint.

NSF Announces 7 New AI Research Institutes at Universities Nationwide

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a $140 million investment in seven new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes on themes spanning trustworthy AI, next-generation cybersecurity, AI for decision-making, AI-augmented learning, and other important topics.

Survey: Foreign States Considered Bigger IT Security Threat Than Ever

A new survey of public sector IT professionals conducted in January by independent research firm Market Connections found that careless or untrained insiders remains the top-ranked threat to higher education institutions’ network security, while the threat of malicious attacks by foreign governments is considered a bigger threat than in years past, according to the survey results.

Can Artificial Intelligence Expand Our Capacity for Human Learning?

Gardner Campbell considers issues and concerns surrounding AI, identifies helpful resources, and offers some grounding thoughts on human learning.

Ellucian Unveils New Partner Program to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Higher Ed

Higher education SaaS provider Ellucian has revamped its partnership programs, combining them into a new Ellucian Partner Network, aiming to “ignite scale and acceleration of digital transformation across the industry,” according to a news release.

Four Steps CIOs Can Take to Mitigate IT Employee Fatigue

Technology research firm Gartner advises chief information officers to include discussions about fatigue and burnout in order to reduce employee turnover and achieve better results in network management efforts, according to a new report.

OpenWiFi, Wi-Fi 7, 6 GHz, 5G Convergence to Drive Substantial Growth in Wireless Networking

Despite a number of challenges facing the technology sector in 2023, the next five years will see significant growth in the proliferation of new wireless networking technologies, both in the enterprise and among consumers.

More than Half of Students Will Use AI Writing Tools Even if Prohibited by Their Institution

In a recent survey by Tyton Partners, nearly one in three college students reported being a regular user of generative AI. And 51% of students said they will continue to use generative AI writing tools, even if prohibited by their instructor or institution.

How Generative AI Will Enable Personalized Learning Experiences

With today's advancements in generative AI, the dream of ultra-personalized learning may not be far off from reality. We spoke with Dr. Kim Round, associate dean of the Western Governors University School of Education, about the potential of technologies like ChatGPT for learning, the need for AI literacy skills, why learning experience designers have a leg up on AI prompt engineering, and more.

Moodle Partners with Copyleaks to Detect AI Content, Interspersed Human/AI Content, and Plagiarism

Open source learning management system Moodle has formed a partnership with AI content and plagiarism detector Copyleaks. With thousands of education institutions using Moodle's LMS, custom development, and learning design services, and the explosive use of AI-generated content, Moodle said in a release that feedback from its clients cemented its move to incorporate an AI detection tool.

Mesa Community College Revamps Classroom Audio for Remote Learning

Arizona's Mesa Community College is renovating its classroom audio systems with a variety of solutions from conferencing, collaboration, and streaming technology provider ClearOne. The goal: to "enhance the flexibility and quality of remote learning experiences" for the institution's 20,000 students, according to a news announcement.

Coursera Adds ChatGPT-Powered Learning Tools

At its 11th annual conference in 2023, educational company Coursera announced it is adding ChatGPT-powered interactive ed tech tools to its learning platform, including a generative AI coach for students and an AI course-building tool for teachers.

SANS Institute and Google Partner on Cloud Diversity Academy

Cybersecurity training and certification organization SANS Institute has partnered with Google to launch the SANS Cloud Diversity Academy (SCDA), a training initiative aimed at helping underrepresented groups pursue a career in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on cloud security.

7 Questions with Higher Digital's Joe Gottlieb and Joe Moreau

Effective change management addresses the cultural and workforce shifts that accompany technology transformations in higher education. Here's how to take a holistic approach to IT change across the institution.

Class to Release ChatGPT-Powered A.I. Teaching Assistant

Class Technologies has announced plans for a beta release of A.I. Teaching Assistant, a ChatGPT-powered tool designed to improve learner engagement and outcomes in live online courses.

Purdue and Google Cloud Partner in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Study

Purdue University and Google Cloud have partnered, using Google's BigQuery and BigQuery GIS data sets, to show where rural areas need Level 3 DC Fast Charge Stations. This information can help public and private sectors plan investments to support equitable access to electric vehicles to help reduce and eliminate carbon energy impacts.

Anywhere Learning Happens: The eduroam Global WiFi Access Service

As the eduroam WiFi access service has grown to reach around the globe, so has its capacity to serve the changing needs of the research and education community. Why does ubiquity matter? Here, two eduroam-US advisory committee leaders tell CT why and how eduroam is working to be anywhere students are learning.

CISA Issues Warnings on Seven New Exploited Vulnerabilities

Since April 3, CISA has published alerts on seven known exploited vulnerabilities — two of which pose immediate risks for a long list of Apple devices — ordering federal agencies to remediate the identified vulnerabilities immediately and encouraging all organizations to do the same.

Worldwide IT Spending to Grow 5.5% in 2023 as Digital Transformation Continues

Worldwide IT spending is projected to increase 5.5% this year to a total of $4.6 trillion by the close of 2023, according to the latest forecast by market researchers at Gartner. And IDC analysts project significant growth in cloud infrastructure spending, tempered by a decline in spending on non-cloud infrastructure and devices.

Turnitin's New AI Writing-Detection Features for Educators are Now Live

Plagiarism detection software Turnitin now includes new live AI-writing detection features that “identify the use of AI writing tools including ChatGPT, with 98% confidence,” the company said.

What the Past Can Teach Us About the Future of AI and Education

Current attitudes toward generative AI hearken back to early skepticism about the impact of the internet on education. Both then and now, technology has created challenges but also opportunities that can't be ignored.

Apogee Expands Executive Advisory Services for Higher Education

Managed technology services provider Apogee has added to its suite of Executive Advisory Services, expanding the offering to 15 disciplines, including IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, and compliance assessments and strategies.

UC Riverside Signs Subscription Deal with Google Cloud to Power Research and IT

The University of California, Riverside is boosting computing speed, agility, and scale for researchers through a new subscription agreement with Google Cloud. The deal is part of an effort to modernize the institution's enterprise infrastructure and provide more computing flexibility and innovative IT services on campus.

Deadline Extended: Tech Tactics in Education Call for Speakers

Coming to Orlando, FL, Nov. 7-9, 2023, the new conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will focus on cybersecurity and data practices across K–20 education.

AI and the Future of Writing Instruction

The use of AI for writing and communication presents an inherent contradiction: Those who can best write with AI will be those who can best write without it, according to Mark Warschauer professor of education and informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and founder of UCI's Digital Learning Lab. We talked about the potential of AI for teaching and learning, overcoming faculty skepticism about AI tools, research questions that should be asked about AI in education, and more.

OpenAI-Based Instructional Design Generator Nolej AI Now Available for Educators with Free Trial

A French generative AI ed tech startup called Nolej (pronounced “knowledge”) has made publicly available its new OpenAI-based instructional content generator for educators, called Nolej AI, ahead of its official introduction at BETT in London planned for Thursday, March 30, and its scheduled commercial debut at the ASU+GSV Summit on April 19, the company's chairman told Campus Technology.

University of Kentucky Employs AI to Bump Up Recycling Program

In a commitment to increase its campus waste recycling efforts, the University of Kentucky's Recycling department has installed Oscar Sort, an incentivized AI-powered sorting system to help people direct trash into the right bins and lessen the impact on landfills.

7 Questions with Qualtrics Head of Education Lee Perlis

What constitutes student success? Traditional measurements such as enrollment, retention, and graduation rates fail to paint the larger picture of the student experience. Here's how institutions can rethink the metrics that define successful outcomes on campus.

How USC Aiken's CIO Used Regional Cybersecurity 'Buzz' to Launch a Student-Staffed Security Operations Center

Thanks to the CIO's efforts on campus and through partnering with external cyber organizations, USC Aiken is enjoying a successful first year of its student-staffed Security Operations Center, expanding cyber-monitoring capabilities for not only the Aiken campus but also for sister campuses in the USC system — and the university is no longer short-staffed in the IT department.

Blackbaud to Pay $3M Fine for 'Misleading' Customers Following 2020 Ransomware Attack, Data Breach

Blackbaud, a South Carolina-based provider of administrative, donor management, and CRM software to thousands of K–12 private schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits, has been ordered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to pay a fine of $3 million to “settle charges for making misleading disclosures about a 2020 ransomware attack that impacted more than 13,000 customers,” the federal agency said in a news release.

MathGPT Platform Can Now Be Custom-Configured for Publishers, Math Instruction Providers, Even Institutions

Expanded multi-modal MathGPT Platform possibilities mean any math content or curriculum can be turned into a personalized GPT-powered chatbot with interactive text, audio, and video learning, and GotIt can configure the platform to work with a wide variety of applications in math education, the company said.

Grammarly Announces New Generative AI Product GrammarlyGo

Starting in April 2023, Grammarly will roll out its beta version of GrammarlyGo, a personalized generative AI tool to complement its existing communication software. The prompt-initiated AI understands personal writing and brand style in context, according to the company, and will generate relevant, comprehensive text on demand.

New 'Tech Tactics in Education' Conference Announced by Campus Technology and THE Journal

Registration is now open for Tech Tactics in Education: Data and IT Security in the New Now, a new conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal. The three-day event, taking place November 7–9, 2023, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla., will offer hands-on learning, practical tips, and strategic discussions on critical cybersecurity issues and key data infrastructure and practices across K–12 and higher education.

Building a Microcredential Program Framework to Meet the Needs of a Changing Academic Landscape

From curriculum to technology concerns, consider these essentials for creating alternative education opportunities at your institution.

DMARC Study: Most Higher Ed Domains Not Protecting E-mail Security Fully

New research shows that an overwhelming majority of education institutions in the United States have incorrectly configured e-mail security settings and as a result are more susceptible to phishing and spoofing threats.

Territorium Introduces AI-Powered System to Track Skills and Competencies from K–12 to Career

Global ed tech provider Territorium has launched LifeJourney, a suite of AI-powered tools for users to keep track of education, job skills, and career readiness capabilities.

AI Writing Detection Tool Analyzes Linguistic Fingerprint to Check Authorship

FLINT Systems has introduced a new linguistic tool designed to detect whether a document was written by its attributed author. The system is designed not simply to detect whether a piece of writing was authored by an AI, but whether it was written by the person claiming authorship at all.

Survey Uncovers Cautious Optimism About Generative AI's Impact on Learning

An informal survey from video platform Echo360 found that higher education technology users around the world are hopeful about the potential instructional and learning impacts of generative artificial intelligence and applications like ChatGPT.

How Creative Listening Helps Institutions Better Serve Students

Listening to students' wants and needs throughout their interactions with a college or university can help uncover the moments that matter — the intervention points that can make or break the student experience.   

YouScience Intros Brightpath Education-to-Career Solution

Career training and aptitude assessment provider YouScience has launched a new education-to-career platform called Brightpath that helps students identify their natural aptitudes and skills, select the learning path and school coursework best aligned to their aptitudes and future career opportunities, connect with post-secondary programs matching their aptitudes and interests, find internships and jobs matching their aptitudes, and even earn CTE certifications.

Pepperdine U Joins EdX Partner Network, Plans to Launch First MicroMasters Program

Through a new partnership with online learning platform edX, Pepperdine University plans to launch its first MicroMasters master's degree program, available later this year. The new program will offer a flexible pathway to completing a master's degree through career-relevant, skill-based introductory courses.

FSA Details Data Security Requirements Taking Effect June 9

The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office recently published detailed information security requirements for higher education institutions that previously or currently service, administer, or aid in the administration of a Federal Student Aid program, noting that IHEs participating in FSA programs fall under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and must comply with its mandates by June 9, 2023.

AI in Education: Will We Need Humans Anymore?

ChatGPT is groundbreaking, but it's also merely the first in what will likely be a series of innovations built on foundational developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing that are going to change the world. We spoke with Mark Schneider, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, about how AI is transforming education and the evolving role of humans in an AI-powered future.

K16, GPTZero Partner on AI Writing Detection Tool

K16 Solutions is working with GPTZero to bring AI writing detection to K–12 schools and higher education institutions.

9 Tips for Success as an Instructional Designer

These best practices from the Learning Design and Technology program at the University of San Diego will help practitioners create the best possible learning experience for students and develop a rewarding career in instructional design.

Turnitin Integrating AI Writing Detector into Its Products

Plagiarism detection company Turnitin announced that the AI writing detection tool it teased in January will be available as a feature of its existing products as soon as April.

A Valentine for Education Technology

In conversations with educators, have you ever heard one of them say they "love" a certain technology? With Valentine's Day this week, we are wondering what it is about education technologies that educators actually love. Here, we ask Gardner Campbell what he loves about education technology.

Educause Guidance for Higher Ed Leaders: Basics of Data Privacy Oversight, Transparency, and Compliance

A new Showcase Series from Educause, titled “Privacy and Cybersecurity 101,” offers guidance for higher education leaders on pressing issues of the day: data privacy, information security, and institutional transparency around both.

University of Texas at Austin Offers Online Master's Degree in AI with EdX

Through its partnership with edX, an online degree and digital course content company, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will launch a fully online Master of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI).

AVer Intros All-in-One Camera with AI Audio for Classrooms

AVer USA, a provider of video collaboration and education technology solutions, has introduced a new all-in-one camera with AI audio built for education, called the A30​, combining a document camera, web camera, microphone, and speaker.

Gonzaga, Springboard Launch Cybersecurity, Software Engineering 'Bootcamp' Programs, Focusing on Career Prep

Springboard, an online learning platform that emphasizes mentor-student relationships, today unveiled a new partnership with Gonzaga University to deliver two online “bootcamps” to learners aiming for careers in cybersecurity and software engineering.

7 'Wicked Problems' Facing Higher Education and Solutions to Address Them in 2023

In its December 2022 report, "Solving Higher Education's Wicked Problems," WGU Labs, the research arm of Western Governors University, identified seven areas that need solutions based on the science of learning if higher education is to address the challenges facing it now and in the future.

Call for Speakers Now Open for Tech Tactics in Education: Data and IT Security in the New Now

Coming to Orlando, FL, Nov. 7-9, 2023, the new conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will focus on cybersecurity and data practices across K–20 education.

Why Banning ChatGPT in Class Is a Mistake

Artificial intelligence can be a valuable learning tool, if used in the right context. Here are ways to embrace ChatGPT and encourage students to think critically about the content it produces.

14 Technology Predictions for Higher Education in 2023

How will technologies and practices like artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, digital transformation, and change management impact colleges and universities this year? Here's what the experts told us.

Study Finds Universities Slow to Integrate and Use Data in Strategic Decision-Making

A new study, "Data Blind: Universities Lag in Capturing and Exploiting Data," conducted by UCLA School of Education and Information Studies professor Christine L. Borgman and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Press publisher and director Amy Brand, found that universities face serious challenges in capturing and using various data streams on campus, and these negatively impact decision-making ability.

WCET Survey: 6 Things Students Want to Know Before Enrolling in Digital Courses

Students who want to enroll in digital courses are finding that not enough information is provided ahead of time in order for them to be successful, a 2022 WCET (WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies) partnership survey found.

UC Davis Launching MOOCs and Professional Certificate on EdX

The University of California, Davis, which offers massive open online courses on several other online learning platforms, has now also partnered with edX to launch a suite of free MOOCs, along with a professional certificate program in search engine optimization.

VE/COIL Transformation Lab Moves to AAC&U

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the American Council on Education (ACE) have transitioned the Virtual Exchange/Collaborative Online International Learning (VE/COIL) Transformation Lab from ACE to AAC&U.

5 Digital Transformation Trends for 2023

As higher education moves into the second wave of Dx — aligning digital efforts with institutional success — here are five key trends to watch.

Campus Technology 2022 New Product Award Winners Announced

The awards honor the outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in the transformation of education technology.

DOJ Agreement with UC Berkeley Over Digital Content Accessibility Could Have Huge Impact on IHEs

A new consent decree between the Justice Department and University of California, Berkeley resolving allegations that UC Berkeley’s digital content is not accessible enough may have much broader implications for education institutions with free online content and courses that are not fully ADA compliant — regardless of the platform where the institution’s content exists.

Report: Together, Federal Funding, States, and Internet Providers Can Close the Digital Divide for the Greater Good

A new report from digital media advocacy organization Common Sense Media and the Boston Consulting Group, "Closing the Digital Divide Benefits Everyone, Not Just the Disconnected," examines how bringing internet connectivity to all results in broader benefits to society, using federal funds, with states and internet providers cooperating.

New in Bentley University's Undergraduate Core: "Living in the Metaverse"

Why is learning about the metaverse important to first-year college students? Here, two Bentley University faculty meet with CT to explain how their unique course offering on the metaverse supports the goals of the institution's new undergraduate core curriculum.

AWS Machine Learning University Launches Free AI Educator Program

Starting in January 2023, Amazon Web Services Machine Learning University will offer a free AI educator enablement program prioritizing community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities in the United States, to help these institutions prioritize teaching database, artificial intelligence, and machine learning concepts to historically underserved students.

Promethean Acquires Digital Whiteboard App Explain Everything

Interactive display maker Promethean has acquired the digital whiteboard platform Explain Everything, which allows users to create lessons, activities, and interactive presentations on any mobile device.

Georgetown Launches Bachelor's Completion Program on Coursera

Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies has partnered with Coursera to offer a new pathway to degree completion for adult learners.

10 Common Cloud Strategy Mistakes to Avoid, According to Gartner

The definition of a cloud strategy is fairly straight-forward: Gartner calls it "a concise viewpoint on the role of cloud computing in the organization." Still, within that simple statement there is a lot of room for error, says the research and advisory firm, asserting that "business and IT leaders continue to make 10 common mistakes when crafting their cloud strategy."

Texas Tech University to Pilot Statewide Online Diploma Completion Program

Texas Tech University is launching a one-year pilot program to help students in the state complete their diplomas or earn a GED. The program is in partnership with TTU K–12, a fully online school district operated by Texas Tech, and is being made possible by a $1.8 million grant from the United States Department of Education and the Texas Workforce Commission.

Global Education Needs More Institutions Participating in Open Doors Research

With better international education data collection and reporting, the industry will have a more accurate and on-demand dataset that can bolster advocacy efforts and help organizations track trends and address emerging needs.

DARPA to Explore How AI Tools Can Help Train Adult Learners

The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), an arm of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), is taking proposals to compete for $750,000 in awards to develop projects that use innovative AI approaches, such as self-directed, remote AI tutoring, to train adults for the current and future national security workforce.

D2L Brightspace Creator+ Package Enables Digital Course Creation with No Coding Experience Required

Learning technology company D2L has launched its Brightspace Creator+ package, allowing anyone to create digital courses without having to learn coding.

Occuspace Expands Occupancy Monitoring to More Colleges and Universities

Occupancy technology company Occuspace has announced its expansion into several colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada to report real-time and historical space-usage data.

Balancing Data Insight with Data Governance, Privacy, and Transparency

As VP for information technology and CIO at the University of Michigan, Ravi Pendse is committed to fostering a robust data culture that democratizes the use of data to inform decision-making. At the center of that culture is transparency: making sure students, faculty, and staff know exactly what types of data are collected, and how that data is stored, accessed, managed, and shared. Here, we talk about creating a data-aware, privacy-aware ecosystem, data governance challenges, making data visible to students, and more.

SXSW EDU Releases Preview of Lineup for 2023; Emphases Include Diversity, Equity, Student Agency

SXSW EDU recently unveiled nearly half of the lineup for its 2023 event scheduled for March 6–9, 2023, in Austin, featuring topics considered the most pressing in education, the organization said.

2U Introduces edX Boot Camps

Online learning company 2U has moved its boot camp offerings to the edX brand with the introduction of edX Boot Camps, intensive technology training programs designed to meet the upskilling and reskilling needs of working adults.

Informatica Launches Intelligent Data Management Cloud

At the 2022 Educause Annual Conference on higher education information technology, Informatica announced its launch of an AI-powered, cloud-native data management platform, called Intelligent Data Management Cloud.

Educause Focuses on Laying Foundation for the Future in 2023 Top 10 IT Issues

The Educause 2023 Top 10 IT Issues, recently announced at the association's annual conference in Denver, emphasize the importance of putting a technology foundation in place for the future of higher education.

Driving Innovation in Higher Ed Through Data

Maryville University is working to put data at the heart of the student experience — not just for the traditional four-year degree pathway, but to inspire a lifelong-learning journey.

ASU Thunderbird Taps Canvas LMS to Power 100 Million Learners Initiative

Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management has partnered with ed tech company Instructure to provide its Canvas learning platform to the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Global Learners Initiative through 2030.

Digital Promise Launches Product Certification for Equity in AI Design

Nonprofit Digital Promise and the Edtech Equity Project have introduced Prioritizing Racial Equity in AI Design, a new ed tech product certification that takes aim at racial bias in AI-powered learning software.

Arizona State University Partners with Zoom to Bring Innovation Lab to Tempe Campus

Arizona State University has partnered with Zoom Video Communications to launch Zoom's first-ever Innovation Lab on the Tempe campus.

Serving Adult Learners with Flexibility, Stackable Credentials, and Data

As a predominately online institution geared toward serving adult students, University of Massachusetts Global is rethinking traditional models of education to embrace the flexibility and career relevance that working learners need. We spoke with Dr. David Andrews, chancellor of UMass Global, about developing a new credentialing ecosystem, listening to student and industry needs, and the data infrastructure that can really support student success.

Google Partners with 4 Universities to Offer First-Ever Specializations to Complement Its Career Certificates

Google announced it is partnering with Columbia University, the University of Michigan, Arizona State University, and the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business to offer new industry specializations in growing fields to complement its Google Career Certificates.

16 Actions to Achieve a Hybrid Future

A new report from Educause offers a concrete plan of action to move colleges and universities toward the future of hybrid learning.

Student Preference for Online Learning Up 220% Since Pre-Pandemic

According to a recent Educause survey, the number of students expressing preferences for courses that are mostly or completely online has increased 220% since the onset of the pandemic, from 9% in 2020 (before March 11) to 29% in 2022.

How Technology Issues Can Impact Mental Health

In a recent survey, more than half of students said that technology problems have caused them stress in the past year.

Inside the Development of HBCUv, a New Online Learning Platform for HBCUs

The United Negro College Fund and Deloitte Digital have embarked on an ambitious effort to reimagine online education for historically Black colleges and universities. Here's how they're leveraging technology to put community at the center of the online HBCU experience.

Data Science: Re-Imagining Our Institutions at the Systems Level

What can institutions do now, to use data science better and perhaps reinvent themselves in the process? Here, George Siemens talks with CT about data science in higher education.

Howard U, National Education Equity Lab Expand Access to College-Level Algebra for Underserved High School Students

Howard University and the nonprofit National Education Equity Lab have announced they are expanding a program that allows high school students in historically underserved communities to take college Algebra in their high school classrooms and earn college credit at no cost.

Coursera Survey: Student and Employer Demand for Microcredentials Is High

According to a global survey from Coursera, employers and students alike see value in microcredentials that document job-relevant skills and experience.

Digital Learning Challenge Finalists Competing for $1M Prize

XPRIZE, an organization that operates competitions to "solve humanity's grand challenges," has announced three Digital Learning Challenge finalists that are using AI methods, big data, and machine learning to better study educational outcomes.

Breaking Down Data Silos to Create a Comprehensive View of the Student

Mass personalization through data is key to innovation in higher education, according to Anthology Chairman and CEO Jim Milton. Here's how the company is moving forward after last year's Blackboard merger to enable data-informed decisions across the university.

ClassIn Brings Combo CMS, LMS Platform to the U.S.

Virtual and hybrid learning company ClassIn is entering the United States education market this fall, hoping to attract educators’ attention with its integrated content management and learning management systems. The platform is used by more than 60,000 K–12 and higher education institutions in 160 countries.

At ASU Online, Empathy Is the Foundation of Student Success

At Arizona State University Online, student success coaches cultivate deep relationships with students as individuals, get to know their unique life experiences and challenges, and leverage data to better understand the multitude of factors that can impact retention. We spoke with Nicolette Miller, senior director of student success initiatives, about her team’s student-centered approach and what institutions should be doing to help students reach the finish line of their education.

Tips for Engaging a Remote Workforce

As flexible work policies become the norm, institutions must rethink their approach to employee engagement and workforce culture. Here's how Southern New Hampshire University is building a remote-first workplace centered on the employee experience.  

Report: Overreliance on Aggregrated Student Data Contributes to Equity Barriers

When institutions rely on aggregated data to develop practices and policies for all "underrepresented" or "disadvantaged" students, equity suffers, according to a new report from Every Learner Everywhere (ELE).

BYU Streamlines Online Education Workflows for Admin, Staff, Mentors, and Students

Brigham Young University's BYU-Pathway Worldwide online education program has partnered with Anthology to roll out two of the company's six cloud-based ed tech platforms, creating a central hub for administrators, staff, mentors, and its 60,000 learners worldwide.

University of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Public Schools Partner with AWS to Increase Access to Cloud Computing Education Statewide

A new collaboration among the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE), University of Hawaiʻi System (UH), and Amazon Web Services (AWS) aims to build a cloud computing talent pipeline from high school through higher education, with a short-term goal of training and certifying 150 learners by 2025.

The Revolution in Higher Education Will Be Led Through Data

It's one thing to talk about innovation, but another thing to actually make it happen. Driving actual change is all about timing — having the right idea at the right moment, according to Phil Komarny, chief innovation officer at an institution known for innovation: Maryville University. And that moment is now: Komarny sees COVID as a catalyst for utilizing data to revolutionize higher education and the student experience.

Vernier Software & Technology Rebrands with STEM Focus

Vernier Software & Technology has changed its name to Vernier Science Education to more closely reflect the company's focus on providing hands-on, socially relevant STEM education tools and resources, according to a news announcement.

AI Ethics Advisory Board Offers Guidance on How to Develop and Deploy AI Responsibly

Northeastern University's Institute for Experiential AI is launching an artificial intelligence ethics advisory board that will provide hands-on, independent guidance to help organizations, institutions, government bodies and others develop and deploy AI responsibly.

Saint Leo U and RobotLab Partner to Build AI and Robotics Lab on Campus

Saint Leo University and RobotLab recently announced a partnership to build an artificial intelligence and robotics lab on the nonprofit university's residential campus in Pasco County, FL.

Hybrid, Whatever that Means, Will Dominate the Future of Online Learning

In a recent survey, nearly all higher education chief online officers expected online learning of some kind to be a part of the typical student experience within the next three years. While survey respondents did not necessarily agree on how much online would become the norm, it's clear that hybrid models are favored to dominate instruction by 2025.

Learning Management Systems Are Getting Smarter

CT asks D2L CEO John Baker how today's LMS is getting smarter, and about the opportunities AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and related technologies are presenting in the LMS marketplace.

How to Make the Case for Strategic Investment in IT

The right data story can transform IT from a cost center to a driver of institutional goals. Here's how to make the most of benchmarking resources and formulate a narrative to help advance technology projects and lay the foundation for digital transformation in higher ed.

Digital Transformation for the New 'Now' in Higher Ed

As colleges and universities pursue their digital transformation journeys, budget restrictions, lack of buy-in and other roadblocks often stand in the way of strategic goals. Here, we take the pulse of institutions' Dx efforts, where resources are being spent, top challenges and more.

2U Updates Partnership Model with Stackable Revenue Share Options

2U, parent company of online learning platform edX, has revamped its partnership model, moving from a one-size-fits-all offering to a variety of revenue-sharing options that enable universities to select stackable bundles of technology and services to meet their needs.

4 Institutional Effectiveness Indicators to Watch

Is your college or university on track to achieve its strategic goals? Taking the pulse of these four areas can identify problems that need attention or successes moving the institution forward.

San Joaquin Valley College Gamifies Learning Support

San Joaquin Valley College, a private for-profit institution focused on career training, has created a new resource for online students that gamifies co-curricular learning outcomes to help boost student success.

New Liaison Product Helps Institutions Target Outreach to Adult Learners

Liaison International, provider of technology and services for recruitment, admissions, enrollment and student success, has released Intelligent Names, a new analytics platform geared toward identifying and re-engaging adult learners.

Insurance Premium Credit Available for Schools Completing Mental Health Support Program

United Educators, a member-owned insurance and risk management provider for education institutions, has partnered with suicide prevention nonprofit The Jed Foundation to offer a premium credit to schools that successfully complete a JED program aimed at supporting students’ mental health and well-being.

Indiana University Secures Internet2 Network Operations Support Role

Internet2 has signed a new three-year deal with Indiana University for the institution's GlobalNOC research and education network operations service to continue providing customer and break-fix support for the Internet2 national network.

Meta's First EdX Courses Provide Skills for Building the Metaverse

EdX has launched two Spark Augmented Reality courses from Meta, developed as part of the online learning platform's partnership with Meta Immersive Learning. The goal: to "build a learning ecosystem for the metaverse and give professionals broader access to the tools and education needed to build a career in augmented reality."

5 Institutions Building Data Literacy to Support Student Success

A new cohort of higher education institutions is delving into the use of data to improve retention and completion through the Data Literacy Institute, a program developed by the Association for Institutional Research and offered by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities as part of its Powered by Publics initiative.

3 Tech Challenges Impeding the Use of Data and Analytics in Higher Ed

Educause has released the inaugural Data and Analytics Edition of its Horizon Report, expanding the annual analysis of the trends, technologies and practices impacting higher education into "an emerging area of practice that is driving institutional decision-making and strategic planning for the future."

6 Technologies and Practices Impacting the Future of Data and Analytics in Higher Ed

The time is ripe for higher education leaders to plan for data and analytics technology solutions and practices that will position their institutions for success, according to a new report from Educause.

U Central Missouri Upgrades Classrooms with AI- and AR-Enabled Tech for Hybrid Learning

The University of Central Missouri is updating its classrooms with new AV technologies that use artificial intelligence and augmented reality to capture more engaging, flexible presentations and better serve the needs of hybrid learning.

Putting Community Engagement at the Center of Online Learning

What would a learning management system centered on culture and community look like? The United Negro College Fund hopes to answer that question with HBCUv, a new learning platform that aims to reshape the future of online education for historically Black colleges and universities. We spoke with Ed Smith-Lewis, VP of strategic partnerships and institutional programs at UNCF, and Nathan Young, head of strategy for Ethos at Deloitte Digital, about bringing the HBCU experience to an online environment, the defining characteristics of HBCUv and the equity-centered design process behind their work.

U of South Carolina Boosts IT Agility with Cloud Data Center Move

The University of South Carolina has replaced its data center with a custom cloud-based Software-Defined Data Center solution from digital infrastructure provider DartPoints.

University of Southern California Upgrades to Cloud-Based Degree Audit Solution

The University of Southern California has long utilized CollegeSource's uAchieve Degree Audit solution to manage the increasingly complex transfer articulation and degree audit process for students. Now, the institution is upgrading to uAchieve in the Cloud.

New Gradescope Mobile App Allows Students to Submit Coursework Via Smartphone

Turnitin has launched a new mobile app for its Gradescope assignment and grading platform that enables students to submit their assignments through any connected smartphone, the company announced this week, following a limited-access pilot in April.

Nearly Half of Students Want Hybrid Classes, While Majority of Faculty Still Prefer Face-to-Face

Flexibility remains a key priority for students pursuing higher education, according to a new "College 2030" report from Barnes & Noble College Insights, the research arm of Barnes & Noble Education.

Anthology Breaking Down Data Silos with Integrative Approach

Higher education technology provider Anthology has introduced Anthology Intelligent Experiences (iX), a new product approach that will enable "a connected ecosystem of products and services that use data to power meaningful interactions both in and outside the classroom," according to a news announcement.

Higher Education Data Centers Move to a Cloud Operating Model

More and more, higher education institutions are migrating their data centers to a cloud operating model. Here, Chris Wessells offers CT his perspectives on what this means for our institutions, for the IT professionals that lead them, and for data centers of the future.

Meta Releases Open Source AI Machine Translation Model

In a project called "No Language Left Behind," Meta has built an artificial intelligence model — NLLB-200 — that can translate text across 200 different languages.

Watermark Launches Insights Hub, Product Updates Geared Toward Student Success

Data analytics software provider Watermark has unveiled a new tool for decision-making that brings together data from across the company's solutions to help identify areas of progress and opportunity.

Supporting Students and Faculty in the New Normal

As classrooms evolve to accommodate the flexibility and innovation of new learning models, it's important to provide ample training and resources for all constituents. Here are three key areas to consider.

Enabling the Digital-First Campus

Leveraged strategically, technology can streamline university services and processes and ultimately help advance the institutional mission. Here, higher education leaders share how they pursue digital efficiencies, optimize operations and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

ACE Initiative Working to Expand Use of Digital Credentials in Community Colleges

The American Council on Education is launching a yearlong initiative to support community college systems, students and employees in the use of digital records and credentials.

Kajeet, Google Cloud Partnership Brings Private 5G to Schools

Wireless provider Kajeet recently announced a partnership with Google to deploy its Private 5G platform through Google Distributed Cloud Edge.

What Southern New Hampshire University Does to Engage a Remote Workforce

Southern New Hampshire University is well known for innovation in online learning, but prior to the pandemic, the institution had less than 100 employees working remotely, and had only just begun building out its remote work policies. In March 2020, the abrupt shift to fully remote work required a new approach to employee engagement. We spoke with Jennifer LaFountain, director of employee experience at SNHU, about how the institution is developing a culture that allows employees to feel connected no matter where they are located.

Ohio State U Plans Full Rollout of Robot Delivery Service After Spring Pilot

Students at Ohio State University can now order food delivery via self-driving robot. The institution completed a pilot this spring using delivery robots from Cartken, a technology startup specializing in AI-powered robotics, as part of a partnership with the Grubhub mobile food-ordering and delivery platform.

Optoma Intros Microsoft-Powered, Cloud-Based Remote Management Solution for Displays

Display manufacturer Optoma has introduced a cloud-based version of its Optoma Management Suite that is powered by Microsoft Azure and offers streamlined, real-time monitoring, diagnosing and controlling of connected audiovisual displays via a single platform.

Class Technologies Partners with Open LMS

Class Technologies, maker of the learning platform that adds teaching and learning tools to Zoom, has announced a partnership with Open LMS, commercial provider of the open source Moodle learning management system.

Google Unveils Slate of New Features and Integrations for Chromebooks, Classroom and Meet

Google has introduced a slate of new apps for Chromebooks — including a new free Screencast app and a free Figma design app — as well as new functions in Google Classroom and Google Meet, and the company announced integrations with popular ed tech apps that will launch later this year.

Internet2's Eduroam Support Organizations Program Expands in Two States

Internet2 recently announced that two additional state research and education (R&E) networks have joined its Eduroam Support Organizations program.

Virtual TA Boosts Student Success at Georgia State University

In a recent study at Georgia State University, students who received timely messages about their coursework from a virtual teaching assistant demonstrated significant improvement in their academic success.

Jenzabar Releases Campus Marketplace Solution to Support Evolving Business Models of Higher Ed

HIgher education technology company Jenzabar has introduced Campus Marketplace, a new platform that allows institutions to unbundle their courses from degree programs and make them available to both enrolled and unenrolled students through a branded online storefront.

The Future of Higher Education Is the Hybrid Campus

Blending the best of face-to-face instruction with the flexibility of online learning can enhance the higher ed experience for all types of learners, lower the cost of a degree and better prepare students for the workforce.

Kajeet Intros Sentinel Insights for Real-Time Decision-Making in IoT Management

Wireless connectivity and IoT company Kajeet has launched a new cloud-based data analytics platform called Sentinel Insights to enhance its flagship Internet of Things management tool, according to a news release.

Report: Ransomware Data Breaches' Growth Last Year Equal to Last 5 Years Combined

Data breaches resulting from ransomware attacks jumped by 13% last year — equal to the last five years’ increase combined — and are impacting more education organizations than ever, according to the recently released Verizon Business 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report.

How an Escape Room Is Building Students' Digital Skills at Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College recently won an Instructional Technology Council award recognizing its Smart Apartment Learning Lab: a combination escape room and technology sandbox in which students can learn about the tech we take for granted in our everyday lives. We spoke with Beth Ritter-Guth, associate dean of online learning and educational technology at the college, to find out how the Learning Lab is engaging students, building digital literacy and providing valuable training in the job skills of the future.

Survey: More Community College Students Want Access to Online Courses

A growing number of community college students want online courses going forward, according to a new report from Bay View Analytics.

Survey: Prospective Students Eye Career & Workforce Landscape When Deciding Their Futures

According to nonprofit ECMC Group’s latest Question The Quo Education Pulse survey of 14- to 18-year-olds, high-schoolers are paying attention to the career landscape and workforce shortages, and they’re looking for the fastest, least expensive route to careers in high-demand fields.

4 Online Tactics to Improve Blended Learning

An accounting professor shares how best practices from online pedagogy have helped her create a blended learning environment that supports student success.

14 Equity Considerations for Ed Tech

Is the education technology in your online course equitable and inclusive of all learners? Here are key equity questions to ask when considering the pedagogical experience of an e-learning tool.

Right from the Start: Data Analytics in Introductory Courses at Bentley University

Bentley students now tackle data analytics and work with large, real-world data sets early in their college careers, thanks to new and redesigned introductory courses.

Bentley U Offers Cryptocurrency Option for Tuition Payments

Students at Bentley University in Massachusetts can now pay their tuition with cryptocurrency.

New Coursera Career Academy Helps Institutions Upskill Their Learners

Online learning platform Coursera has introduced Career Academy, an offering that allows institutions to bundle self-paced online courses and career resources to help students gain in-demand skills for the workforce.

10 Institutions Developing EdX Courses in Essential Human Skills for the Virtual Age

Following through on a pledge made at the close of its acquisition by 2U, edX is awarding $1 million in grants to 10 institutions to develop free online courses in "Essential Human Skills for the Virtual Age."

U Tennessee System Unites Finance and HR Systems in the Cloud

The University of Tennessee System has embarked on a major ERP revamp, replacing its legacy on-premise finance, HR and payroll applications with the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite.

University of Michigan Launching XR-Enhanced Courses on Coursera

The University of Michigan has partnered with Coursera to launch 10 new courses that will use extended reality to provide immersive experiences in critical job skills.

Trends to Watch in 2022: Takeaways from the Horizon Report

One of the takeaways from this year’s Educause Horizon Report is that there’s likely no such thing as a return to normal: Many of the changes that higher education has undergone over the past couple of years are here to stay. To delve into the details of what’s on the horizon for higher ed in 2022, we spoke with Kathe Pelletier, director of Educause’s Teaching and Learning Program and co-author of the report.

New CT Leadership Summit: Building a Digital Transformation Strategy

In this free, one-day event, education and IT leaders will offer ideas and best practices based on expertise and research in the field, to help inform your digital transformation strategy.

10 Institutions Opening 'Metaversity' Campuses

This fall, students at 10 colleges and universities across the United States will be able to take courses on a "metaversity" campus, an exact virtual replica of their institution's physical campus.

6 Technologies and Practices Impacting the Future of Higher Education

The 2022 Educause Horizon Report Teaching and Learning Edition, released this week, offers six key technologies and practices that will have "a significant impact on the future of postsecondary teaching and learning."

Ellucian, Burning Glass Institute Partner on Student Outcomes Data Analysis Project

Ed tech company Ellucian is collaborating with the Burning Glass Institute, a nonprofit specializing in labor market analysis, to uncover new insights on what makes students successful.

Zoom Rolls Out New Features for Education

Zoom has introduced several new features for education users of its Chat and Meetings functions, fulfilling the most popular requests from teachers and administrators on its platform, the company announced today.

Nevada Partners with AWS on Statewide Initiative to Provide Cloud Computing Education and Certifications

The State of Nevada has embarked on a strategic plan to train, upskill and certify 2,500 Nevadans in cloud computing over the next three years.

Gartner: 3 Ways to Understand the Top Data and Analytics Trends for 2022

The need to anticipate change and transform uncertainty into opportunity is a driving force underlying the top trends in data and analytics this year, according to research firm Gartner.

Champlain College Using InSpace Collaboration Platform to Enhance Online Learning Experiences

Vermont's Champlain College is expanding the use of InSpace, a video collaboration tool, in its online learning division.

Clemson U Expands SAS Partnership to Deploy Data Science and Analytics Software for Teaching and Research

Clemson University is teaming up with data analytics company SAS to help build students' AI and analytics skills as well as support academic research.

U Arizona History Profs Turn Gaming into Credit-Bearing Learning Activity

Two professors of history at the University of Arizona have created a learning experience based on "Age of Empires IV," a real-time strategy video game about medieval warfare and civilization-building.

From Instructional Design to Learning Experience Design: Understanding the Whole Student

These days, we hear a lot about the "new normal" in higher education. Remote and hybrid learning is here to stay, offering students more flexibility in their learning journeys. But what if the new normal is not enough? We spoke to Mark Milliron, senior vice president of Western Governors University and executive dean of the Teachers College, and Kim Round, academic programs director and associate dean of the Teachers College, about their vision for reimagining education and why learning experience design is essential to student success.

Intel Unveils First AI Incubator Lab

Intel's AI for Workforce program, an effort to promote workforce skills in artificial intelligence through partnerships with community colleges, governments and other organizations, has announced its first AI incubator lab.

CUNY Investing $8M in Online Education Initiative

The City University of New York is launching CUNY Online, a new online education initiative tasked with producing high-quality online courses and programs and building online degree capacity across the institution.

What Is Learning Loss in the Wake of the Pandemic?

CT talks with Ellen Wagner to learn about approaches to defining, measuring, and mitigating learning loss.

Coursera, Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream Offer Tuition-Free Skills Training

Online learning platform Coursera and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), a think tank focused on advancing economic and social mobility for all, have partnered to launch The American Dream Academy, a new program that will provide free job skills training to up to 200,000 underserved learners in the United States.

UNCF Building Shared Online Education Platform for HBCUs, with Focus on Culture and Community

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has announced plans to build a new online learning platform for historically Black colleges and universities, dubbed HBCUv.

Building a Culture of Innovation

Digital transformation is not just about implementing new technologies — it's also about people and the ability to embrace change. In fact, you might say that's the hardest part: Culture is often cited as one of the biggest barriers to digital transformation in higher ed. In February, our Campus Technology Leadership Summit tackled that very topic with a panel discussion on building innovation into the culture of a university. Here's that conversation.

Only Half of Homes in Continental U.S. Receive 'True' Broadband Internet Access

A new report from research firm The NPD Group found that just 50% of homes in the continental United States have access to broadband internet with a download speed of 25Mbps or higher.

University of Illinois Uses AI Chatbot to Grow Student Recruitment for Online MBA Program

The University of Illinois's Gies College of Business is employing an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to help prospective students gain information about its online MBA program.

Polytechnic-Focused Dixie State University to Offer Technology Skills Training to All Students, Faculty and Staff

Dixie State University in Utah has partnered with technology workforce development company Pluralsight to help boost students’ technology-based skills.

SAS Virtual Learning Portal Offers Students Free Training in Analytics Skills

Analytics software provider SAS has launched a new program offering analytics skills training for higher education students.

Engageli Update Offers Browser-Based Teaching, Improved Tools

Virtual teaching and learning company Engageli has launched version 2.0 of its platform, introducing a browser-based interface for instructors (in addition to the existing native application for Windows and macOS) as well as a spate of new features for learning.

Howard U to Engage Students with Five-Year Sustainability Plan

Howard University recently announced that it will be partnering with VEIC and CustomerFirst Renewables to develop a five-year campus Sustainability Plan.

Research Hub to Explore Safety and Equity in AI

A new research hub at Northwestern University will explore the impact of artificial intelligence systems and seek ways to better incorporate safety and equity into the technology.

D2L and Class Integration Offers Solution for Blended and Hybrid Learning

Education technology company D2L has announced an integration with Class Technologies, maker of online learning software built on the Zoom platform.

10 Basics that Students Want from the LMS, and How to Help Faculty Implement Them

At Ohio State University, students developed a list of 10 ways that instructors can use the learning management system more effectively — common-sense guidelines that aim to make courses more consistent, predictable, easier to navigate and generally more student-friendly.

SANS Institute Launches Cybersecurity Scholarships for HBCU Students

Cybersecurity training and certification provider SANS Institute has launched the SANS + HBCU Cyber Academy, a cybersecurity scholarship and education opportunity for students and alumni of historically Black colleges and universities across the country.

Google-Supported Effort to Help Develop Courses in Responsible AI

The National Humanities Center, and independent institute dedicated to advanced study in the humanities, is partnering with faculty from 15 colleges and universities to create and implement curricula for developing responsible artificial intelligence technologies.

New Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network to Support AI Training in Community Colleges

The American Association of Community Colleges, Intel and Dell Technologies are launching an 18-month initiative that will design and build a network of Artificial Intelligence Incubators at community colleges across the United States.

Canadian Research and Education Network Taps BlueJeans Videoconferencing for Hybrid Learning

Canada's National Research and Education Network, an ultra-high-speed network connecting researchers and educators across the country's 13 provinces and territories, has selected videoconferencing solution BlueJeans by Verizon to support hybrid learning.

Report: Top Uses of Video in Teaching and Learning

In a recent survey, a whopping 97% of education professionals agreed that video is essential to students' academic experience.

Survey: Cheating Concerns in Online Courses Have Eased

College instructors have changed their attitudes toward academic integrity in online courses, according to a new report from Wiley.

San Diego State U Creates Cybersecurity Certificate Program

California's San Diego State University has launched the SDSU Cyber Tech Academy, a suite of online cybersecurity certificates designed for security professionals and those seeking to move into cybersecurity careers.

7 Keys to Building Equity in Digital Learning

A new report from Every Learner Everywhere, produced in collaboration with Tyton Partners and the Association for Public and Land-grant Universities, offers strategies for investing in digital learning infrastructure while bridging equity gaps to better serve under-represented students.

Data-Informed Learning Design and the Shift to Online

The pandemic has been a testament to the progress that has been made in the use of technology to support online learning, but it has also revealed how poorly traditional course design translates to a digital experience. And that’s an opportunity for institutions to become more sophisticated in leveraging digital learning environments to go beyond what’s possible in a brick-and-mortar classroom. That’s according to Luyen Chou, chief learning officer at 2U. Here, we talk about transforming online pedagogy, the potential of emerging technologies, the beauty of simple data, essential human skills and more.

New CT Leadership Summit Offers Digital Transformation Resources

In this free, one-day event, education and IT leaders will offer practical insights and advice to help your institution navigate the many facets of digital transformation.

Enrollment, Absences, Lack of Engagement Top Challenges During COVID

It's no surprise that enrollment has been a pain point for colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent D2L survey of 171 higher education leaders across North America, 30% of respondents confirmed that enrollment was an area where they've seen the greatest drop-off for students over the past two years.

Survey: 78% of Workers Who Leave Their Jobs Turn to Online Learning to Reskill

A new survey from Cengage Group examined why workers quit, what opportunities they are exploring next and what they are doing to achieve those goals.

Report: Endpoint Malware and Ransomware in First Three Quarters of 2021 Topped All of 2020

A new Internet Security Report from global network security and intelligence provider WatchGuard Technologies found that endpoint malware and ransomware attacks during the first three quarters of 2021 totaled more than in all of 2020.

James Madison Adopts Online Commons

James Madison University has embedded a digital commons in its website, to better support students in continuing education programs. The institution has adopted software from InScribe, which sets up Q&A communities in online destinations where people already congregate, such as the learning management system.

New VitalSource Feature Offers AI-Generated Practice Activities

Education technology company VitalSource has added a component to Bookshelf, its digital textbook platform, to generate practice activities. The new function, CoachMe, uses artificial intelligence to generate questions that are formed from the text and shown in the margins of the page.

Colorado State U Launches Roadblock-Free Online Pre-Req Program

Colorado State University System's online learning campus, CSU Global, has introduced a structure to woo hesitant returning students who don't want the hassle of designated term or semester start dates or having to submit transcripts before they're accepted.

Seizing the Opportunity for Digital Transformation

Back in November, Campus Technology hosted a virtual summit about innovation in IT: all of the ways higher education technology leaders have embraced agility and flexibility in challenging times. A highlight of the event was a panel discussion on digital transformation, and how the pandemic has accelerated digital efforts on campus. Here's that conversation.

"I Started College During a Global Pandemic"

A new book shares new students' reflections on college during COVID.

Community College Students Want More Flexibility, Technology in Their Courses

When asked about their preferences for a post-pandemic academic experience, most community college students in a recent survey said they want to take some courses in a fully online format, and many desired a combination of in-person and online instruction.

14 Predictions for Higher Education in 2022

IT leaders, faculty and a student offer a variety of perspectives on the future for their campuses in the new year.

Central New Mexico CC Launches Blockchain Training, Center of Excellence

CNM Ingenuity, a workforce training-focused nonprofit created by Central New Mexico Community College, is introducing accelerated training opportunities for in-demand job skills in blockchain technology.

Crowdsourced Document Tracks Institutions' COVID Strategies for 2022

With the Omicron variant spreading rapidly across the United States, colleges and universities face a familiar dilemma: Will COVID force a pivot to online when classes begin in the new year? A new project kicked off by futurist Bryan Alexander aims to crowdsource the answer to that question in a shared Google spreadsheet.

Liaison International Integration Adds Predictive Analytics to CRM Platform

Liaison International, provider of technology and services for recruitment, admissions, enrollment and student success, has introduced a new integration that combine its Othot predictive and prescriptive analytics tools with its TargetX constituent relationship management platform.

Education Blockchain Challenge Concludes with Mixed Results

The two-year Blockchain Innovation Challenge is over, with participants convinced more than ever that blockchain can play a role in helping students take control of their individual educational records and learning pursuits.

Nureva Intros Hyflex/Hybrid Classroom Solution

Audio conferencing company Nureva has launched a new classroom solution that integrates audio, video, device management and services.

Cutting Through Ed Tech Hype in Favor of Research-Driven Improvements

How will emerging technologies impact the future of education? While it’s easy to get caught up in the hype around trends such as the metaverse and artificial intelligence, true progress comes in slow, incremental improvements in using technology to inform teaching and learning, according to Neil Heffernan, professor of computer science and director of the Learning Sciences and Technologies Graduate Program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Here, we talk about augmented reality, intelligent tutoring systems and the need for better research infrastructure in ed tech.

California State University System Wraps Hybrid Cloud Data Project

The California State University system has gone public with a multi-year initiative to provide faster development and updates of applications and greater access to data for its 23 campuses.

Internet2: Extending Identity and Access Around the Globe with InCommon

During its 25th anniversary year we've been looking back at the evolution of Internet2, highlighting its technological advancements and the vibrant community at its heart. Today, we're talking with two Internet2 executives about InCommon, a key component of Internet2.

OLC Working with Instructure to Enrich Teacher Training Resources, Expand Access to Equitable Digital Learning

The Online Learning Consortium has announced a multi-year partnership with Instructure to collaborate on research projects and work together through Instructure's Canvas learning management system to enrich teacher training resources and expand access to equitable digital learning.

Designing Higher Ed Data Visualizations: Aim Deeper to Gain Knowledge and Understanding

To gain more insight from analytics, consider whether your dashboards offer basic facts or dive into true understanding of patterns within your data.

Big Data Could Pose Unsustainable Challenges to Universities

Big data research operations in higher education could hit a wall. While universities are "meeting many current needs," according to a new research project, big data work is taxing institutional technology, human and financial resources.

Pandemic Leads Education Professionals to Seek Changes in Their Careers

The COVID-19 pandemic has left the global workforce in a state of flux, with the vast majority of employees — including those in the education sector — looking for changes in their careers and in the workplace.

Despite Online Challenges, Faculty Optimistic About Future of STEM Education

Seventy-three percent of STEM faculty in a recent survey had to shift from face-to-face to remote learning in fall 2020, experiencing a multitude of barriers to teaching STEM courses online. Yet most survey respondents remain optimistic about the future of STEM postsecondary education, according to a new report from the Online Learning Consortium and Bay View Analytics.

Class Adds New Virtual Teaching Tools

Class, software that adds teaching and learning tools to the Zoom meeting platform, has introduced a number of new and updated features designed to improve the virtual and hybrid user experience.

2U Completes Acquisition of EdX, Announces New Programs

The merger of 2U and edX announced in June is now complete. Combined, the companies now serve more than 230 partners and offer 3,500-plus online learning opportunities to more than 40 million learners, spanning free courses, executive education, boot camps, and undergraduate and graduate degree programs, according to a news announcement.

U Illinois Gies College of Business Develops Microcredential Pathways with Google

The University of Illinois Gies College of Business is partnering with Google to bundle certificate programs in job-ready skills and create microcredential pathways for adult learners.

Digital Transformation in Higher Ed: What It Means and Where to Start

The digital transformation of higher ed has been going on for years, but the current pandemic has brought that process into laser focus – and accelerated digital efforts perhaps like nothing else could. Institutions are going through deep shifts in culture, workforce and technology, enabling new educational models, transforming operations, and even changing the whole value proposition of a higher education. We spoke with Betsy Reinitz, director of enterprise and IT Programs at EDUCAUSE, about what digital transformation means, how to start a Dx journey, the biggest obstacles to Dx and more.

How Analytics and Data Management Guided Universities Through the Pandemic

IT and analytics teams have had their time to shine during the past 18 months, as they integrated systems, built dashboards and tackled data governance challenges in order to provide the information needed to keep the campus community safe.

ASU Developing Research Facility in Space

Working alongside others, Arizona State University is developing a space station that acts as a business park for research, manufacturing, travel, education and exploration.

Planning for the Classroom of the Future

The right combination of technology and training will ensure your learning spaces can adapt to ever-changing modes of instruction. Here are key considerations for future-proofing classrooms, supporting faculty and surviving the next pandemic.

UNLV Adds Dozens of Hyflex Classrooms

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has introduced a number of hyflex classrooms, capable of accommodating students attending in person and online.

IT Leaders Concerned About New Cloud Storage Limits

With many cloud storage and collaboration vendors implementing limits on free storage, colleges and universities are grappling with the impact on IT.

Instructure to Buy Data Integration Company

The maker of learning management system Canvas, Instructure, has entered into a deal to acquire Kimono, which produces software for cloud-based data integration and interoperability.

Georgia State Adds Graduate Certificate Program in Trustworthy AI Systems

Georgia State University recently launched a Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Systems graduate certificate program.

Southern Methodist Boosting AI Capacity of HPC

Southern Methodist University is upgrading its high-performance computing operations. The Texas institution is investing $11.5 million in hardware, software and training, specifically to boost its HPC infrastructure for artificial intelligence-powered research.

BlueJeans Adds Remote Learning Features

Verizon Business has announced a number of new features for its BlueJeans Meetings product, designed to support hybrid and remote learning.

Native American Students Build STEM Skills While Exploring Their Cultural Stories with VR/AR Design Projects

Through a $1.5million, four-year NSF grant, Oklahoma State University researchers are leveraging their earlier work with proven, college-level design courses that incorporate VR, AR, and 3D printing technologies. But this time, they are helping underserved Native American middle school students develop STEM skills.

EducationSuperHighway Sets Sights on Household Broadband Gap

EducationSuperHighway is shifting its attention away from the needs of K-12 internet connectivity and to the unconnected American household. The nonprofit, which helped close down the "classroom connectivity gap," has a new mission: to make sure the 18.1 million households that can't afford to connect to broadband get it.

EAB Acquires Rapid Insight for User-Friendly Analytics

EAB, a provider of research, enterprise technology and data-enabled services for education institutions, has announced the acquisition of Rapid Insight, maker of data analytics tools designed for ease of use and efficiency.

Educause Top 10 IT Issues: Digital Transformation Accelerated

The top IT issues for 2022 reflect two years of upheaval and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, but also the positive aspects of digital transformation.

3 Strategies for Better Meetings

As the format of your meetings evolves, make sure you have engagement and flexibility, advises Joseph Allen, University of Utah professor and co-author of the books Suddenly Virtual and Suddenly Hybrid.

Kent State Standardizing on Aruba Networking Gear

Kent State University has gone public with a sizable network upgrade: The eight-campus system is deploying technology from Aruba for its wired, wireless, management and cybersecurity needs.

Zoom Tackles Problem of Low Bandwidth for Faculty

Zoom has introduced several new features specifically useful to educators.

Contrary to Popular Belief, College Students Do Care About Their Data

The idea that college students don't care about the privacy of their data may be a myth. These digital natives are increasingly aware of the importance of data privacy, especially when it involves the protection of information about their academic or professional prospects, according to a new report from the Future of Privacy Forum.

Digital Promise Launches Digital Learning Research Network

Digital Promise has launched SEERNet, a five-year program that's intended to inspire research on digital learning at scale in both higher education and K-12.

Embracing Innovation, Technology and Culture Change for the Sake of Access

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation and the adoption of new learning models at many colleges and universities — but higher ed culture has some catching up to do. While institutions traditionally measure change in decades, we're now in a time when flexibility, innovation and risk-taking are key to student access and opportunity as well as institutional survival. We spoke with Dr. Mark Lombardi, president of Maryville University, about why the business model of higher ed is broken, the importance of lifelong learning and technology's role in moving universities toward a better future.

Remote Access Software Enables Online Lab Work

Keysight Technologies has introduced PathWave Lab Operation for Remote Learning, a remote access solution designed for online learning that enables the remote setup of instrument labs.

WatchGuard Expands Unified Threat Management Line

WatchGuard Technologies has introduced four new mid-range models in its Firebox line of unified threat management appliances.

AI-Enabled Tech Matches Massachusetts Students to Mental Health Counselors

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education is rolling out student wellness and mental health solution Uwill to provide counseling services at public colleges and universities across the state.

Report: Most Learners Have Found They Like Online Learning

A new survey from Wiley Education Services has found that online learning "gained traction" in the pandemic.

New CT Leadership Summit: Innovation in IT

In this one-day event, education and IT leaders will share how they are planning for the unexpected, identifying efficiencies and utilizing technology to help their institutions excel in these challenging times.

Why AI Needs the Liberal Arts

Colby College in Maine is investing $30 million to create the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the first cross-disciplinary institute for AI at a liberal arts institution. Among its goals: utilizing AI to transform teaching, learning and research in a wide variety of disciplines. Yet it’s not just about how AI can inform the liberal arts, according to Amanda Stent, inaugural director of the Davis Institute. It’s also about how a liberal arts perspective can bring about a better understanding of whether, how, and in what ways the use of AI can benefit — or harm — our society.

Worries and Financial Pressure Major Disruptors of College Plans

Over a third of Americans changed their plans for education as a result of the pandemic, with Black and Latinx students more likely to do so than White students, according to newly released data from Strada and Heart+Mind Strategies.

Internet2: A New Network for a 25th Anniversary

With Internet2 in its 25th year, it seems fitting that this is the time the organization will transition to a new network. Here, CT speaks with Internet2 VP of Network Services Rob Vietzke for an update on Internet2's Next Generation Infrastructure to be launched in October.

UCLA Extension Debuts Immersive Online Certificate Programs

UCLA Extension, the continuing education division of the University of California, Los Angeles, is introducing 11 fully online certificate programs that immerse students in the same resources and collaboration opportunities as the school's in-person classes.

2 Colleges to Pilot Collective ERP Program

A HESS Consortium project to build a shared ERP services model for private colleges and universities is now entering the pilot phase, led by two institutions: Saint Mary's College and Wheaton College.

Academic Partnerships Acquires Curriculum Mapping Software

Online program management company Academic Partnerships has acquired Coursetune, a maker of curriculum mapping software that provides visualization tools for curriculum and course design.

Survey: Accessibility Challenges Persist as Hybrid and Online Learning Continues

With fully online or hybrid course formats still very much in play at colleges and universities around the world, accessibility issues remain a key challenge, according to a recent study.

Gartner: 4 Key Trends Speeding AI Innovation

Research firm Gartner has identified four trends that are driving artificial intelligence innovation in the near term.

AI-Powered Tutor Uses Google Cloud to Generate Learning Activities

In collaboration with Google Cloud, Walden University has created a new tool that uses artificial intelligence to help students review and master course concepts.

The Future of Online Learning Is Flexible and Stackable

Over the past few years, online learning in higher education has gone through a period of disruptive change. Not only did the pandemic trigger a massive shift from in-person classes to online, but it also brought new models of hybrid learning to the forefront. And micro-credentials, programs certifying specific competencies that can stand alone or be applied toward a larger degree, have gained momentum as learners have needed to reskill and compete in an evolving workforce. To explore these trends and more, we spoke with Dr. Betty Vandenbosch, chief content officer at Coursera, about the state of online education, the future of the traditional four-year degree, and what universities should be doing to keep up with alternative credential pathways.

Educause Assessment Tool Gauges Institutional Analytics Capabilities

Educause has created a new self-assessment tool to help colleges and universities better understand how their analytics capabilities can enhance teaching and learning practices, improve student outcomes and advance institutional goals.

U Tennessee Applies AT&T 5G and 5G+ Networks in Research

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is working with AT&T to build out a 5G+ presence on campus. That project will incorporate a testbed to allow university and company researchers to understand how 5G and 5G+ technology can address unique communications challenges.

Do It Once, Do It Well, Serve Many: Internet2 NET+

Now in its 25th year, Internet2 serves the higher education community with many important programs. NET+ is one we know well. Here, CT asks Internet2 NET+ leadership for some reflections and an update as NET+ reaches its own 10-year anniversary.

Idaho Taps AWS to Train Cloud-Ready Workforce

A statewide initiative in Idaho aims to train and certify 2,000 Idahoans in cloud computing over the next two years.

Survey: Adaptive Courseware Helped Improve Student Learning During Pandemic

In a fall 2020 survey of institutions piloting adaptive courseware in gateway courses, 96 percent of faculty agreed that the technology helped them improve student learning, and allowed them to better monitor student progress and hold individual students accountable for engaging in class.

Noodle Launches Lifelong Learning Platform

Online education company Noodle has introduced a new platform to help universities engage their students in lifelong learning programs.

UC Merced Cutting Cord to Legacy Financial Systems with Use of Oracle Cloud Apps

In 2019, the University of California Merced kicked off an initiative intended to replace its existing legacy finance applications with a new Oracle Cloud application. And as of earlier this year, Merced has gone live with what it calls "Alpha Financials."

Virtual Ed Platform Adds Integration with Canvas

InSpace, a new virtual education platform that allows students and instructors to interact online much like they would in physical spaces, has announced integration with Instructure's Canvas learning management system.

Thinking Full-Speed Ahead at Instructure's Future of Education Collaborative

Now, while we are not yet free from the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions and technology market leaders are looking at the next big questions: What's in the future? Which of the changes we make during the pandemic should move with us into the future?

Adobe Launches Free Analytics Curriculum for Higher Ed

Through a new Adobe program, colleges and universities can now access the Adobe Analytics platform for free along with course materials aimed at advancing digital literacy in higher education.

The Science of Studying Student Learning at Scale

A team from Indiana University set out to expand the scope of pedagogical research by creating ManyClasses, a model for studying how students learn not just in a single classroom, but in a variety of different classes across multiple universities. We speak with researchers Emily Fyfe and Ben Motz about how ManyClasses works, the challenges of using a learning management system to conduct research, what they learned from the first ManyClasses experiment, and more.

New CT Leadership Summit Explores Data Practices that Drive Student Success

In this one-day event, education and IT leaders will share their insights and best practices for making meaningful use of data now and building a data strategy for the future.

UCLA Pilots API Portal

The University of California, Los Angeles has gone public with piloting of a fairly new developer portal specifically for APIs. The API developer portal is intended to simplify the sharing and discovery of campus application programming interfaces and web services — some 200 — while also providing a campuswide API governance program.

Education's Hybrid Future: What We Know from Research

While hybrid learning environments show great potential in higher education, there are still pedagogical and technical challenges to overcome. Here are key guidelines for moving forward, based on research in the field.

Blackboard Partners with AWS to Enhance Virtual Classroom

Blackboard recently announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to integrate the company's Amazon Chime SDK service into Blackboard Collaborate.

University of Pittsburgh Moves HR Processes to the Cloud

The University of Pittsburgh is replacing its on-premise human resources system and paper-based processes with a move to Oracle's Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management solution.

Idaho Creates Statewide Digital Campus with Course Sharing Platform

Idaho's public colleges and universities can now share their online course offerings through the state's Online Idaho initiative, an effort to expand access to higher education via a statewide digital campus.

New OLC Global Cohort to Explore Advancements in Online Learning

The Online Learning Consortium is calling for applications to participate in a new cohort that will work collaboratively to identify challenges and opportunities in online and blended learning.