An Overview of Emerging Global Trends in Higher Education

Abstract

Development in modern society imposes a need for changes in the higher educational system. The key actors in production of knowledge, promoting social, technological and pedagogical research are Universities and higher education institutions. The primary goals of higher education institutions are to improve the quality of learning and teaching through the use of new technology. Access to the internet and easy mobility across the countries has resulted in more penetration in the country. Technology and Artificial Intelligence has helped higher education institutions in shifting gears to more accessible form of student and teacher assessment encompassing student-teachers specific feedback, evaluation, proctored online examinations and much more. Higher education institutions have adapted to more experiential learning methodology The continuing revolution in the global trends in higher education is intensifying. However, issues like quality, access and internationalisation have predominated the higher education system for some time. The 21st century is emerging as a knowledge economy. The workforce segments require advanced education and efficient research skills. The purpose of the higher education system is to prepare students with new skills, broader knowledge base and competency to be a part of a more complex world.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

The modern society is undergoing drastic change and is always in search of excellence. The different strata of the society aim to achieve more and more. For this, they want to build their skills, enhance knowledge and improve their competence through learning and experience. Education is associated with the aspirations of the society. Development in modern society imposes a need for changes in the higher educational system. The key actors in production of knowledge, promoting social, technological and pedagogical research are Universities and higher education institutions. The primary goals of higher education institutions are to improve the quality of learning and teaching through the use of new technology. 

Access to the internet and easy mobility across the countries has resulted in more penetration in the country.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence has helped higher education institutions in shifting gears to more accessible form of student and teacher assessment encompassing student-teachers specific feedback, evaluation, proctored online examinations and much more. Higher education institutions have adapted to more experiential learning methodology

The continuing revolution in the global trends in higher education is intensifying. However, issues like quality, access and internationalisation have predominated the higher education system for some time. The 21st century is emerging as a knowledge economy. The workforce segments require advanced education and efficient research skills. The purpose of the higher education system is to prepare students with new skills, broader knowledge base and competency to be a part of a more complex world. 

Global trends that are reshaping higher education are: 

• Internationalisation and Globalisation
• New Immersive Technologies and Digitalization
• Research and Innovation 
• Quality Higher Education
• Teaching and Learning Assessment 
• Gamification of Educational Process (Adaptive Learning) 
• Competent Learning 
• Artificial Intelligence

A. Internationalisation and Globalisation

Globalisation has profoundly impacted higher education. It has integrated the world economy and helped in the creation of an international knowledge network. Universities have been impacted by the international trends and also it has offered new opportunities for study and research that are not limited to national boundaries. Millions of students have moved internationally for study. 

B. Technologies and Digitalization

The evolving technology has resulted in plethora of media and learning support tools to help students in receiving high quality education. The universities that are still using obsolete technologies are being swiped out by those which have adopted new Information and technology and other technology-induced innovation. The internet has revolutionised the ways by which knowledge is communicated. The ICT has touched every domain of higher education and has grown exponentially. The developing countries are considering ICT as a key to increase access to higher education.  Distance education has enormous potential for higher education systems all over the world. ICT has reformed the modes of delivery of information and knowledge by distance education institutes. There are a wide range of elements of ICT such as e-mail, websites and social networking tools that have been deployed in higher education. 

C. Research and Innovation

The universities with greater emphasis on research are at the pinnacle of the academic system. Research universities provide advanced education for academic professions in various fields. Pedagogical and experiential avenues can be implemented to develop and promote student’s intentions to innovate. Problem-based environment is highly beneficial to promote integrative learning.

D. Quality Higher Education

Quality in higher education is a multidimensional concept that embraces functions like teaching and academic programs, students, staff, facilities, equipment and academic environment. The concept of performance, standards, accreditation, form the foundation of quality of higher education. The higher education institutes are evaluated for quality according to the qualification of professors, the extent of library resources, research output etc. Higher quality education is explained by the ability of curriculum to engage all students irrespective of their location, financial capabilities and abilities.

E. Teaching and Learning Assessment 

The higher education system has changed profoundly over the last ten years. There is greater emphasis on developing skills, knowledge of the students. Students are primed to engage in learning activities. Higher education institutes are now more oriented towards vocational and professional learning. Every learner learns differently and to strive with one methodology for all is no more effective. The teaching modules have evolved from blaming the student approach to teacher-centred scenario for initiating good teaching and achieving predefined learning outcomes. The purpose of this approach is to actively engage students in the learning process. The outcome of higher education is assessed in terms of commercialization of new knowledge and innovative technology. 

The assessment practices in most universities are not able to keep pace with vast changes in context, aims and structure of contemporary higher education. Assessment methods needs to be diversified so as to improve their validity and inclusivity.

F. Gamification of Educational Process (Adaptive Learning) 

Need for quality and individualization of education has led to the changes in the infrastructure and order of change of higher education courses. There are new methods to deliver courses that involve more technology and innovation. Flipped classrooms and gamification that includes more involvement from students are being adopted by the universities. Industries like MIT and Apollo Group are highly interested in these adaptive learning technologies. The concept of personalized adaptive learning helps in building program as per the learner’s thinking and lifestyle. It provides a better insight into each student’s skills and aptitude.

G. Competent Learning 

Higher education institutes are now leaning towards Competency-based education that prepares an individual for the modern economy by focusing on knowledge, skills and abilities. It is a combination of intentional and transparent approach to curriculum design specifically to work on competency a student must master.

These competencies are partnered by subject matter experts and third-party partners like industries. The set of skills required at workplace such as critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity and the institutes that encourage the development of these skills are having a competitive advantage within higher education.

H. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool that is being extensively used in the Higher education system. The human- machine interface has changed the way to learn, memorise and create information. Moreover, there are certain universities and higher education institutes that are offering AI and machine learning courses. Application of AI is dominant in Virtual teaching assistants. The largest demand for AI comes from learning platforms and this is due to preference for remote and online educational courses.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Higher education is undergoing a deep institutional change that also involves deinstitutionalization of the old values and policy framework and institutionalizing new polices and framework (Vaira, 2004). Globalisation is far from controversial concept, it is quite evident that all the nations are undergoing a transformation process that is highly influenced by global trends  (Maassen & Cloette, 2020). Integrated learning defined as the demonstrated ability to connect or apply the information is crucial for student development in terms of both academic development and for success when he enters the global knowledge economy (Barber, 2012). Integrative learning occurs when students are able to connect between current learning experiences and previous moments of education (Assessment of Collegiate Residential Environments and Outcomes, 2018). Learning has become easily accessible because of modern technology and new trends but the question arises how prepared are the institutes to adapt to such changes (Gujral, 2022).

 There should be different approaches to development of innovation and institutional analysis. Further, there should be different authorities to create rules and knowledge should be mobilised (Brodhag, 2013).  For successful implementation and development of e-learning at university settings, there are some management pre-conditions that are required to be met (Bulajeva, 2006). The modern education system of higher education is based on the objective to equip graduates with reliable qualification and a dynamic set of relevant skills (Ashmarina & Nikulina, 2017). Digital textbooks, data mining, smart learning management systems are some of the technological revolutions that has taken place (Heick, 2021).

Artificial Intelligence has become a new part of life and it has impacted higher education due to its speed and accuracy (Siau & Ma, 2018).  From basic questions to providing academic support. AI is playing a crucial role in higher education to work smarter. Research and market analysis show that global AI education market will cross $25.7 billion in 2030 from just $1.1 billion in 2019  (Ullman, 2020). Use of artificial intelligence seems to provide best solution for all the higher educational institutes that are facing difficulty in organization of learning process (Kononenko, 2020).

Assessment of student learning is a principal function of higher education that assures academic standard and impacts student behaviour, staff time and university reputation (Careless, 2019). Program-wide view of assessment has gained recognition as a useful aid in curriculum design (Jessop & Gibbs, 2014). Assessment is the heart of several changes faced by Higher education system (Dawson, 2017).

III. FINDINGS

The world of higher education continues to evolve and transform and advancement in technology has accelerated this transformation. It is evident that real momentum for change in higher education approaches to teaching and learning has changed significantly. Though, existence of traditional-based university and higher education institutes cannot be denied, privatisation, massification, technology and globalisation has increased the need for prioritising teaching, learning and assessment processes. The higher education system needs to understand the pressure of improving teaching and student learning so as to compete in the global knowledge market. There is a need for expansion towards equitable participation in terms of innovation and integrative learning. Digital and hybrid programs are gaining momentum and have witnessed explosion in digital course offerings.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

There is a lot that it required to inculcate in practice by higher education institutes when it comes to recent trends in higher education. It is conclusive that the continuously growing technology and AI are taking over higher education system. In order to achieve the optimum utilization of available resources in the form of technological advancement, globalisation, artificial intelligence, higher education system is required to undergo restructuring of its enrolment, assessment and learning process. 

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Brig Rohit Bakshi, Dr. Garima Mathur, Prof. Umesh Holani. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.