The challenges of digital transformation in higher education
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 6:19 am
Digital transformation has permeated every industry, including Higher Education (HE).
Prospects are not only looking for the best academic institution, but they are also looking for positive digital experiences.
They demand blended learning and accessible digital solutions for administrative activities such as admissions, registration procedures, schedules and exam information.
This is forcing higher education institutions to innovate and deliver smart digital solutions that enhance the student journey and improve operational efficiency. However, only 13% of higher education providers in the United States are developing a Digital Transformation strategy .
So what are the key challenges facing colleges and universities and how can they be addressed? We examine them here.
1. Late response to changing expectations of younger generations
It is a constant cycle of adaptation for higher education institutions. With each admissions cycle, education providers must look for ways to keep up with technological changes and advancements in the digital mindset of young adults.
First, students want more flexibility in terms of digital cyprus business email list offerings, with 45% favouring a mix of face-to-face and online sessions . Second, they are looking for additional ways to interact with course materials and their peers, such as on-demand lecture recordings and interactive conversations via easily accessible platforms. Finally, they want to use digital student services and online support rather than coming to campus.
But universities are still somewhat slow to respond to these needs. They lack a culture of rapid delivery and technological development, and have slow and financially constrained decision-making processes.
2. Failure to digitally empower the student population
Market forces now drive education, so you must provide your students with choice and interaction on their own terms.
You can't expect them to keep logging into outdated university websites, searching for information through FAQ sections and isolated department pages - these barriers prevent students from obtaining effective information.
Whenever they need to check class locations, assignment deadlines, or grades, they want to do so quickly and without having to jump from one platform to another.
Higher education institutions are now expected to implement a full spectrum of solutions, ranging from alerts about schedule changes and text reminders about tuition payments, to accessible student portals for managing student records and disseminating important information.
Enabling students to engage with your institution with little effort on their part requires you to use optimized real-time communication channels .
3. Lack of prioritization for mobile usability
Prospective and current students will most likely visit the school's website via their smartphones . They expect condensed information, broken down into choice pieces, intuitive navigation, and responsive design.
In addition, they want a single point of access for all of the university's web functions , from applications and admissions to course management and school services.
However, the reality is that many institutions are not yet at the point where they can meet these expectations. Traditionally, education providers invest in a main website, but this is no longer effective as students no longer hang out there. Therefore, institutions with weak mobile digital strategies continually lose prospects who simply abandon non-responsive websites and go to the competition.
Prospects are not only looking for the best academic institution, but they are also looking for positive digital experiences.
They demand blended learning and accessible digital solutions for administrative activities such as admissions, registration procedures, schedules and exam information.
This is forcing higher education institutions to innovate and deliver smart digital solutions that enhance the student journey and improve operational efficiency. However, only 13% of higher education providers in the United States are developing a Digital Transformation strategy .
So what are the key challenges facing colleges and universities and how can they be addressed? We examine them here.
1. Late response to changing expectations of younger generations
It is a constant cycle of adaptation for higher education institutions. With each admissions cycle, education providers must look for ways to keep up with technological changes and advancements in the digital mindset of young adults.
First, students want more flexibility in terms of digital cyprus business email list offerings, with 45% favouring a mix of face-to-face and online sessions . Second, they are looking for additional ways to interact with course materials and their peers, such as on-demand lecture recordings and interactive conversations via easily accessible platforms. Finally, they want to use digital student services and online support rather than coming to campus.
But universities are still somewhat slow to respond to these needs. They lack a culture of rapid delivery and technological development, and have slow and financially constrained decision-making processes.
2. Failure to digitally empower the student population
Market forces now drive education, so you must provide your students with choice and interaction on their own terms.
You can't expect them to keep logging into outdated university websites, searching for information through FAQ sections and isolated department pages - these barriers prevent students from obtaining effective information.
Whenever they need to check class locations, assignment deadlines, or grades, they want to do so quickly and without having to jump from one platform to another.
Higher education institutions are now expected to implement a full spectrum of solutions, ranging from alerts about schedule changes and text reminders about tuition payments, to accessible student portals for managing student records and disseminating important information.
Enabling students to engage with your institution with little effort on their part requires you to use optimized real-time communication channels .
3. Lack of prioritization for mobile usability
Prospective and current students will most likely visit the school's website via their smartphones . They expect condensed information, broken down into choice pieces, intuitive navigation, and responsive design.
In addition, they want a single point of access for all of the university's web functions , from applications and admissions to course management and school services.
However, the reality is that many institutions are not yet at the point where they can meet these expectations. Traditionally, education providers invest in a main website, but this is no longer effective as students no longer hang out there. Therefore, institutions with weak mobile digital strategies continually lose prospects who simply abandon non-responsive websites and go to the competition.