Affordable and At-Scale - Ray Schroeder, Inside Digital Learning

Affordable degrees at scale have arrived. The momentum behind this movement is undeniable, and its impact will be significant, Ray Schroeder writes. I recently attended the third “Affordable Degrees at Scale” symposium at Georgia Tech. This small, limited-invitation gathering provides an insider’s view of the technology, pedagogy, design and financial aspects of reinventing higher education in an affordable, effective and worldwide format. Sidebar conversations abound on how to fine-tune delivery, design, engagement and effectiveness. It has the feel of the gathering of start-up entrepreneurs who are sharing their “secret sauce” as well as their goals for new initiatives with peers whom they respect. Much credit goes to Nelson Baker, dean of professional education at Georgia Tech and incoming president of UPCEA, who created this symposium. Along with Associate Dean Yakut Gazi, they brought together the national leaders in this field and created an open discussion atmosphere. This is the initial entry in a new Inside Higher Ed blog, “Online: Trending Now,” by Ray Schroeder, founding director of UPCEA’s National Council for Online Education. Ray, professor emeritus and associate vice chancellor for online learning at the University of Illinois at Springfield, has been publishing “Online: Trending Now” on the UPCEA site. “Inside Digital Learning” is pleased to bring his postings to our readers now. https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/online-trending-now/affordable-and-scale