| | APRIL 202419CIOReviewKate Ames, Council Member, CQUniversity Council, CQ University EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN UNIVERSITIESWhat are some of the major challenges that have been impacting the educational space lately?We face three major challenges in Australia - digital disruption, the influence of legislations and social disruption. Digital disruption refers to the major changes that are happening in the digital world due to the rise of artificial intelligence, changes to the learning management systems, and advancements in learning analytics and education technologies. They appear to stabilise the systems but often cause confusion among students and staff. The second challenge is the regulation in Australia that underpins university funding. We are undertaking a pilot project with a micro-credential that is going to make some changes on how we design and develop our courses. At the same time, there is a broader review happening in Australia called the Australian Universities Accord which will have crucial implications on funding structures and approaches generally. Social disruption, however, is an international challenge. The post-pandemic world demands a larger workforce. So, people are looking for short term courses and qualifications for rapid upskilling. The situation is compelling people to question the value of investing large amounts in universities and to reflect on what they actually need. This also poses a challenge before us. With all these potential transformations and disruptions that are prevailing in educational space, how do you envision its future?The future of education is definitely going to look different, but the role of universities cannot be overlooked or replaced. A degree is considered a fundamental unit of learning and a Kate Ames, the Council Member, CQUniversity Council at Central Queensland University has a proven track record of strategic innovation in project development and implementation. Building and leading high-performing teams, she has been instrumental in pushing boundaries and driving excellence in learning and teaching landscapes. She oversees various aspects, including innovation teams, micro-credentials, short courses, and the development of new course models across multiple campuses in Australia.In an interview with CIOReview, Kate Ames, Council Member, CQUniversity Council at CQUniversity, shares her insights on the challenges of ed-tech in universities and overcoming them to future-proof the world of education. CXO INSIGHTS
< Page 9 | Page 11 >