The Silent Revolution in Higher Education

Abstract

There is a silent revolution going on in higher education that in time will change the face of the academy. This is not a revolution in curriculum, albeit that is probably necessary. Nor is it a revolution in requirements, albeit that, too, would be desirable. The revolution we refer to is in the delivery system, i.e., the way information is conveyed and the manner in which students learn.Amazing new technologies already under development in American labs are about to transform learning in profound ways. Rapid advancements will produce powerful new learning environments and experiences using such new tools as simulation, visualization tools, virtual environments, personal intelligent tutors, vast digital libraries, and interactive museums-learning and collaboration unbounded by geography.Emergent technologies could help students of all ages reach their goals by teaching individuals precisely what they need to know in the way they learn best and at their own pace. Students will be able to learn faster and better than is now the case. They'll reach much higher levels of achievement, and at a drastically lower cost than even the relatively low tuition of public institutions of learning.The first milestone will soon be reached: twice the learning in half the time at one-tenth the cost. Futurists like Thomas Frey predict that the speed of learning will increase tenfold, with the possibility that the equivalent of our current K-12 education system will be compressed into as little as one year.

Teachers’ and Students’ Experiences of Simultaneous Teaching in an International Distance and On-Campus Master’s Programme in Engineering

“…In general, the spread of electronically customized education around the world seems to be an irreversible process as more courses and programs are delivered online. London and Draper (2008) call this phenomenon "the silent revolution in higher education. "…”

Pedagogical dilemmas in the simultaneous education

“…This has resulted in a shift of traditional boundaries of universities moving beyond brick and mortar education institutions. London and Draper (2008) argues that this phenomenon, the 'silent revolution', has a potential to transform the academic system. They argue that revolution refers to neither curriculum nor requirement revolution, but rather the way that education is delivered.…”