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Leveling the Learning Curve
Book

Leveling the Learning Curve

Creating a More Inclusive and Connected University

William Eimicke, Adam Stepan and Soulaymane Kachani
Columbia UP, 2023
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Applicable
  • Insider's Take

Recommendation

This useful guide, intended especially for those aiming to modernize and digitize higher learning, focuses on inclusivity and access for all. It equips educators with the tools to leverage technology for a broader reach. Academics William Eimicke, Adam Stepan and Soulaymane Kachani also explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a sudden, massive shift to e-learning. They offer insights from dozens of thought leaders to showcase the power of digital tools that can bridge educational gaps. This practical book presents the vision of a “connected university” that promotes equity while unveiling new revenue opportunities.

Summary

American universities and colleges are at a crossroads.

Enrollment in US postsecondary educational institutions has declined significantly since 2019. The experience of digitized distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has put additional pressure on universities and colleges to make higher education more flexible. Institutions that don’t respond will almost certainly lose more students and may ultimately fail.

Most institutions scrambled to teach at a distance during the pandemic – largely using PowerPoint lectures combined with Zoom – and students became used to it. After the pandemic, some 70% to 75% of students reported that they want their colleges to offer a mix of on-site and remote learning options; only 53% of professors agreed. Though many faculty members and some students resist the movement, research demonstrates the effectiveness of learning outcomes through well-conceived and well-constructed digital and remote learning.

Digital online learning offers new opportunities and revenues, but only when done well.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs), which can reach tens of thousands...

About the Authors

William Eimicke is a professor and the founding director of the Picker Center for Executive Education at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Adam Stepan is the director of Columbia’s Picker Center Digital Education Group. Soulaymane Kachani is the senior vice provost of Columbia University, where he oversees the university’s teaching, learning and innovation strategies. 

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