How Online Learning Is Reshaping Higher Education

COVID-19’s sudden shock pushed higher education into online learning almost overnight. At first, many universities did not seem ready for the challenge. But a year later, more and more students had begun to enjoy the convenience of online learning.

As universities continued to invest more heavily in better IT software, students learned how to socialize online, and teachers were able to teach from anywhere in the world. People began to realize that online learning may play an important role in the future of higher education.

Here are some of the ways online learning is changing higher education.

Adapting to Change

With in-person classes replaced, assignments submitted online, and graduation ceremonies moved to the internet, some universities adapted to online learning faster than others.

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) in Kuwait is one example of a university that successfully made a rapid transition to this new way of learning. As a result, AUM recently received a five-star rating for online learning in the QS Stars evaluation.

The American University of the Middle East recognized that one of the most important parts of the university experience is collaboration between students and faculty. Throughout the pandemic, the university remained focused on building and maintaining a sense of community on campus, and extending that experience into online learning.

By 2021, many universities had also moved other student support services online. AUM again took the lead, quickly moving its full Tawteen Career Center online to help students prepare for the post-pandemic job market and provide them with online mock interviews, virtual workshops, and one-on-one consultations.

This year, AUM also held its annual career fair virtually. More than 8,000 students and alumni attended the seventh career fair, where they met leading local and international employers offering around 1,500 job opportunities. The online event also used a range of web tools, including chat rooms, conference calls, webcasts, webinars, and one-on-one interviews.

AUM’s counseling center also provides students with free academic support, encouraging them to become active and independent learners.

Improvements in IT Software

In the first half of 2020 alone, investment in education technology reached record highs.

This early wave of spending during the pandemic led to major improvements in teaching methods. Many universities around the world, including the American University of the Middle East, adopted the online platform Moodle and invested in integrating a range of other live teaching tools.

Students can log in through the same interface on a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile phone to attend and participate in live classes, access materials, interact with classmates and teachers, submit assignments, check grades, and take online tutoring sessions.

AUM also introduced a mobile app to help students stay updated on all important university information and access learning resources more quickly and conveniently.

Today, many universities are finally hoping to return to in-person classes on campus, while online learning may be used to make education more accessible for students who cannot be physically present. Online learning will allow many students to choose to receive high-quality teaching from anywhere in the world.

In addition, students can access webinars, video tutorials, FAQs, and social media interactions to prepare better for classes and improve interaction between teachers and students.

Connecting with People Around the World

The social side of university life is one of the things students most often miss when learning online. However, many universities around the world are using technology to connect students based on shared interests.

At the American University of the Middle East, for example, the university places great emphasis on building a digital ecosystem that creates a lively learning and social environment for students.

The university organizes a wide range of activities for students, including competitions, lectures, and quizzes. Recent online events have included Music Skit Night, a World Water Day event with activities and competitions, and an online fitness coach event.

These online activities seem likely to continue even after the pandemic ends, although they will mainly take place live and attract participants from around the world.

The Rise of Online Courses

One major area where online learning has truly flourished is the rise of MOOCs, or massive open online courses, and self-paced e-courses. These courses are often open to everyone for free and offered by well-known institutions, giving learners the chance to take additional classes in subjects that interest them.

AUM’s soft skills e-course platform is open to students, faculty, and staff and offers an opportunity to take self-paced e-courses and build new skills. Through its partnership with Skillsoft, the university provides exclusive access to more than 6,000 world-class soft skills video courses.

AUM also recently hosted a two-week online introductory workshop on robot building and programming. During the workshop, students learned about robot sensors and actuators, electronic connections and interfaces, software programming, and the logical design of robotic systems.

In addition, as part of its student-centered approach and its effort to provide high school students with a real and comprehensive learning experience, AUM also offers online courses and workshops in science, coding, English, mathematics, and more through the AUM Youth website.

These free online courses allow students to broaden their knowledge, explore subjects they are interested in more deeply, set goals for self-improvement, and make better-informed decisions about their educational choices.

Blended Learning: The Future of Higher Education?

Now that remote teaching has proven effective, the future of higher education will be shaped by universities and their students together. Some believe that the blended model will become the direction of the future, with students attending some classes in person and others remotely.

But will the future be even more high-tech? The American University of the Middle East believes the answer is yes.

The university has already acquired telepresence robots that allow students and teachers who cannot be on campus to be virtually present through a robot. These robots are equipped with two cameras for a wide field of view and include tilt, pan, and zoom systems. You can also choose a destination and send the robot to a specific location.

Whatever direction higher education takes in the future, online learning has already made an important contribution to it.