Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

Desire2Learn has updated and published a Canadian edition of its report on the future of learning (28 page PDF) (and you don't even have to give them information to read it; well done D2L). The premise is that the nature of work is changing and that therefore "societies must embrace new or hybrid learning models to allow individuals and economies to thrive going forward." A challenge is coming from automation and AI, "putting cognitive jobs at risk." There's also the rise of "the gig economy". So "neither employers nor employees can expect skills to stay relevant throughout careers."

So what needs to change? "Higher education must redefine its value proposition for students and employers." Just getting a credential is not enough any more. Institutions need to embrace "delivery models that are learner-centric, flexible, responsive, and adaptive," for example, "a system of stackable credentials (that) can be leveraged to provide ongoing education and skill development for employees." D2L recommends aligning programs and credentials to labour market needs (which I think is a dubious proposition), expanding work-integrated learning (which I support), and ensuring the system is affordable (which i very much support).

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024 09:28 a.m.

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