Response Toolkit: Shifting to a Hybrid Learning System

Equity has long been a priority for school systems prior to 2020; however, the pandemic has focused attention on the continuing need to create more equitable education environments. Simply putting more devices in students’ hands is not enough; they deserve access to an equitable education–including best-in-class learning solutions and technologies. These solutions must be inclusively designed, giving students multiple ways to create, engage, and participate in constructing knowledge regardless of ability, income, language, location, or identity.

The enthusiasm and vibrancy that new teachers can bring to a school are valuable strengths that are, unfortunately, too often squandered due to competing and overwhelming demands on their time, energy, and personal well-being.

Laying the groundwork for a modern campus requires rethinking the entire collegiate experience from the student perspective. When applied well, technology is more than a tool to automate and extend educational resources. It can be used both to promote and measure engagement, identify at-risk students, and provide the insights needed to help students succeed in both their personal and professional lives beyond graduation. And doing this successfully is not an easy task. Aligning multiple leadership perspectives around a well-defined technology strategy and preparing for a significant business process transformation are critical first steps.

The Center for Advancing Learning Policy and Practice Summit hosted a panel where top higher education policy and university leaders examined the future of Online Program Management and what it means for institutions. The panel delved into the findings of the recent Government Accountability Office report, “Education Needs to Strengthen Its Approach to Monitoring College’s Arrangements with Online Program Managers.” and charted a path forward.