The Future of Higher Education

The economic downturn and society-wide changes catalyzed by information technology (disintermediation, consumerization, and so forth) are causing many colleges and universities to question what the future of higher education in the digital age will be. Many historic challenges persist, such as cost, access, retention, and graduation rates. The digital age offers new opportunities (for example, online learning) as well as threats (for example, competition from other providers). IT is a tool that can help address these challenges, but it may also change how we frame the future. This presentation will explore common themes emerging worldwide, including cloud computing, identity management, analytics, and open educational resources.