The Forth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is impacting the higher education sector “exponentially”? Exponentially, this “tipping point” or rapid growth is created by the 4IR paradigm shift, providing an accelerated launching platform for higher education to leverage and venture into blended, distributed and open online learning environments extensively (World Economic Forum, 2015; Rojewski, & Hill, 2017).
Emanating from the 4IR "euphoria" let us discuss the first three questions. What is this tipping point? How is this exponentially effecting us whether F2F, blended or open distance learning? How are lecturers in the higher education sector responded to the “exponential power” created by the new 4IR technologies?
Dear ResearchGators
Let us discuss this phenomenon for the sake moving higher education forward.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is going to revolutionise Higher Education landscape by putting Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at the front burner as the situation will force young people to grow high intolerance for conventional (campus-based) learning. Let's just say the future of Higher Education is ODL. The implication is that academics in conventional universities must re-skill by getting trained on educational technology, especially the use of Learning Management Systems (LMSs). Also, it is time for the conventional universities in Africa to introduce or strengthen their blended-learning programme units with a view to tranforming it into ODL when the 4IR is fully activated.
I agree with Sunday and further add that 4IR would eventually lead to smart education which will naturally emerge in smart cities, a facet of 4IR. See these resources for further elaboration:
Chapter Industry 4.0.: The New Industrial Revolution (Book for chapt...
Conference Paper Industry 4.0: Unleashing Its Future Smart Services
Best,
Debra
Sunday and Debra you are correct but how will 4IR impacting your teaching in Higher Education? Any suggestions?
Dear Discussants
What are your understanding of 4IR impacting the higher Education Sector "exponentially"?
With 4IR, the teacher is becoming the student, there is a lot that the learners are exposed to and know that teachers may need to relearn and unlearn. Also we see less student attending the traditional classroom as they opt to study online-e-learning platforms are where the classroom is located. It may be even more participatory than the traditional class as millennials are constantly hooked up to the net. Those in class may be actually absent because they may not be following the teacher.
Secondly, research has been revolutionized. There is a lot of material out there to read and base one's study on. Open source material will take over paid for material and knowledge will become a free product. what will sell is the contestation of ideas rather the ideas themselves. The days of Aristotle and Socrates are back.
This rapidity of advance in technologies requires universities to be less departmental/school focused and more a collective of networked and nimble departments with networked curriculum components from which the learner can select to build a customised educational experience based on their needs.
.
Deinnis and Silva
Thankful for your valuable contributions in this regard. It is highly appreciated.
- Badges
- Science topic