In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," we delve into the findings of the UK’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, revealing a split in satisfaction between international and UK students. The discussion expands to explore the challenges and benefits of online education, such as program flexibility, student engagement, and the pivotal role of faculty involvement. The episode also examines the effects of COVID-19 on educational expectations, the balance between cohort-based learning and flexibility, and the potential for AI to personalize learning. As the episode closes, the speakers share their holiday traditions, university financial challenges, and critique of the educational rankings, setting the stage for thoughtful considerations as they prepare to reunite in the new year.

In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," we discuss the extremes of attitudes towards technology in education, particularly around AI. Starting with Donald Clarks critique of an anti-tech keynote at the OEB conference, we dive into the popularity of 100% skepticism or 100% optimism we often hear during keynotes. We explore the importance of organizing high-profile debates to tackle polarizing issues and reflect on the success of past debates. We also highlight the prevalence of critical voices in academia and the need for more balanced discussions on AI and tech in education. Join us for a rich conversation on the future of online learning!

00:00 Passenger saves taxi from crash in rain.

05:48 Discussion on tech skepticism and AI negativity.

10:17 Keynotes seemed unremarkable; celebrity status issue.

13:40 UK trends critical of edtech and AI.

16:02 Ed tech debate polarized, seeking balanced voices.

18:55 EU bloc critical towards technology developments.

22:43 Conference experiences amplify edtech divide, platform critical voices.

26:46 Debate got personal, especially regarding AI skepticism.

29:16 Perceived big tech takeover of higher education.

33:39 Tech development orthodoxy criticized for promoting bias.

36:07 Universities haven't fully adapted to digital era.

39:29 Debate planned between author and Stephanie Hall.

In the Season 2 premiere of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," hosts Phil, Morgan, and Neil take you on a tour of the latest educational technology conferences. We explore key takeaways from CanvasConnect in Barcelona, where lifelong learning and practical course organization dominated the sessions, and the D2L Connections event in Amsterdam, highlighting the buzz around AI-driven tools like Lumi and H5P integration.

Morgan shares experiences from the Moodle Moot in Mexico, unpacking the challenges and future directions for Moodle, while Phil reports on the vendor partnerships and AI discussions at Educause in San Antonio, Texas. With increased attendance and a revamped exhibit hall layout, Educause is reviving itself for connecting educators with technology partners. Tune in for an in-depth look at how these conferences are shaping the future of online education and what it means for institutions across the globe.

00:00 Neil spoke at last year's smaller conference in Europe.

05:08 Comparing D2L's learning focus and Instructure's vision.

07:45 H5P and Lumi positively viewed, but underused.

11:07 Lifelong learning tension: transformational vs practical focus.

14:42 Education hype can disconnect from universities' realities.

17:38 Enjoyed European-style breakfast with Yucatan pork.

21:39 Leadership transition creates balance challenge for direction.

24:22 Moodle crucial for higher education and LMS.

29:53 Facilitated Educause workshop, changing partnerships perspective.

33:17 Strategic planning impacts edtech vendor outlook.

35:20 Organize AI, clean data for accurate insights.

40:07 Initial moral panic impeded serious AI discussions.

41:50 Space-themed hotel excited 8-year-old.

Title Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBKKo43lJ-E

This week, we dive into the non-regulatory issues surrounding EdTech ecosystem usage where multiple apps are used within a course. Controlling which apps can be used can trigger academic freedom concerns, but how can educators gain a more complete view of student learning? We discuss the complexities of tracking and data analytics across various platforms. Plus, we explore how centralized data approaches can benefit institutions trying to solve this problem. This discussion gives insights on leadership changes in edtech and debates on data ownership and contract management. Tune in to discover how these dynamics are shaping the future of online education!

00:00 Welcome back to final podcast episode, everyone!

05:52 LMS can't track third-party academic tools usage.

09:22 Limited edtech implementation, mainly administrative and monitoring.

13:35 Interviews revealed schools' attendance solutions, maintaining confidentiality.

15:25 Programs are credit-hour based, not clock-hour tracked.

17:46 Universities struggle with unified edtech tool integration.

23:03 Overseeing student activities on platforms is lacking.

27:01 Holistic learning tools adopted piecemeal across institutions.

28:54 Institutional policy drives centralized data integration efforts.

33:40 Holistic student learning focus benefits larger institutions.

35:07 Decentralized universities struggle with modern technology implementation.

39:50 Community college systems balance variety and centralization.

41:31 LMS VLE issues led to LTI ecosystem shift.

In this episode of Online Education Across the Atlantic, hosts Phil, Neil, and Morgan dive into the conference season in the world of learning management systems. They discuss D2L's focus on engaging interactive content through the acquisition of H5P, Anthology's new direction under fresh leadership, and the challenges faced by Instructure in clearly communicating their product roadmap. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of AI on content development and the future of LMS products. Join us as we explore the insights gained from attending user conferences, the strategic moves companies are making to stay competitive, and the importance of understanding the needs of educators and learners in the ever-evolving landscape of online education.

00:00 Morgan and Phil covered four conferences.

08:34 D2L focuses on interactive content for education.

11:16 Reflections on H5P and its acquisition.

19:48 AI's impact on content development and adoption.

25:53 Instructure's school vision includes ecological exploration.

28:01 Similarities in product development and lifelong learning.

34:47 Comparing AI in education and K-12 impact.

40:47 Misty Frost marketing Instructure moves to Spokane.

49:06 Critical assessment of educational technology market trends.

53:42 Anthology's realistic approach to competition and market strategy.

59:16 AI and new leadership revitalize education market.

01:02:57 Is new leadership guiding Moodle effectively?

Thinking about how distance education has evolved over decades and where it is heading? This episode dives into the transformation from traditional universities entering the online space to the democratization of online learning in both the US and the UK. We explore the dominance of the Open University in the UK, the potential for US institutions to enter international markets, and the rise of transnational online learning. Join us as we unravel the complexities of regulatory changes, market opportunities in places like India and Nigeria, and the future of online and hybrid education globally. Tune in to grasp the latest insights and trends shaping the future of education.

00:00 Podcasting plans, US politics, Supreme Court ruling.

05:37 Differing views on TPS expansion's impact.

09:48 Expectation of Labour landslide victory, potential opposition.

13:04 Higher education faces challenges from all sides.

14:17 Interest in AI and micro credentialing strategy.

17:47 Reflecting on past paths before discussing future.

23:38 International demand for online education is growing.

26:13 Paper discusses changing landscape of distance education.

30:48 Challenges in UK online education for undergraduates

33:09 US expansion into UK online education and beyond.

36:23 Australian higher education went premium, like luxury.

38:47 Online education markets in UK, Nigeria, India.

42:10 Strong narrative on upskilling and demand challenges.

Title reference:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0IK_R3hHLA

In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the world of online education across continents. We compare Welsh and English higher education funding, unravel FAFSA's ongoing issues, and discuss the diverse landscape of distance learning from Europe to South Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Discover how platforms like Moodle support millions of students in China and the mobile-centric approach of African Leadership University. We tackle the rise of generative AI in education, the market shifts caused by companies like Chegg, and the future of digital learning platforms globally. Join us as we navigate these educational transformations and explore the diverse perspectives shaping online learning worldwide. Tune in to stay ahead in the education revolution!

00:00 Global trends in online education explored briefly.

04:58 Chegg offers learning and cheating opportunities.

07:14 Politics dominates higher education press, student survey findings.

11:03 US struggling with FafSA issues, seeking help.

16:28 Varied national distance education institutions across Europe.

18:08 Neil's insights align with global online education.

21:42 Private universities drive increase in online students.

25:27 Online learning growing, driven by OPM's.

28:22 Private and non-open universities driving online growth.

31:32 Data challenges, digital transformation, multiple interpretations.

35:46 Contrasting national run and emerging private universities.

39:02 Government-driven platforms, micro credentials, student retention challenges.

41:24 Digital transformation in education post-COVID-19.

44:39 Spoke at universities and plans for future.

Title reference: https://youtu.be/C51CVmjkAyo

In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," Morgan, Neil, and Phil address listener questions for the first time and discuss Coursera's recent introduction of AI-based tools for plagiarism detection, proctoring, and grading in their pilot program in India. The team also explores Queen Mary University's move to end several online courses after their OPM partnership with CEG Digital, while still offering other online options. Later, the hosts tackle the future of OPMs in the US, the challenges and potential of AI in education, the necessity of innovation in online learning, and whether tech giants or edtech companies will drive AI advancements in education.  Join us for an insightful and engaging episode!

00:00 Online education resumes with methodical reader engagement.

04:51 Indian higher education facing challenges in integrity.

08:20 Generative AI enables new approach to plagiarism.

11:13 Presentation on consolidated educational tech with AI.

13:46 Enthusiastic about personalized homework, data democratization concerns.

18:11 Queen Mary University ends online course partnership.

20:24 Investors learned the dangers of excessive enthusiasm.

23:50 Innovative university investment and Dean's gone wild.

30:01 Online programs need niche strategy to succeed.

32:26 Doubtful about AI progress in education products.

34:57 Productivity distinction in certain areas has impact.

39:38 Edtech vendors should be better equipped.

41:17 ASU's partnership with OpenAI and potential impact.

Do we believe the latest enrollment news? In this episode of Online Education Across the Atlantic, Phil, Morgan, and Neil explore the latest challenges in international student enrollments in the US and UK and ask whether we should believe the latest numbers and trends? They discuss the impact of online education, dual enrollment, and vocational programs on student numbers, as well as concerns from dropping applications. With demographic changes, foreign policy measures, and FAFSA completion gaps affecting enrollments, find out what this all means for the future of education and edtech. Tune in for a concise breakdown of these critical issues!

00:00 Higher education policy focuses on job outcomes.

03:29 Debate on education and political motivations.

07:49 Education benefits, OPM, guild, N. Stride's growth.

11:15 Financial pressure on OPM companies prompts changes.

14:56 Limited academic year data, but enrollment insights.

16:03 Slight decline in undergraduate and international applications.

21:18 Covid causing widespread impact on K-12 education.

24:28 Dual enrollment has mixed impact on colleges.

26:05 Challenges facing international student applications and institutions.

31:41 Improvement in FAFSA completion, impact on students.

35:09 FAFSA completion signals impact on state aid.

36:35 Debate over higher education funding and impact.

40:19 Decline expected in international student enrollments.

43:52 Anticipating an eventful year, impact on education.

In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," Morgan, Neil, and Phil dive into the potential impact of AI on higher education. They explore the regulatory challenges and opportunities brought by rapid AI advancements, focusing on big tech players like Google and Microsoft. The discussion covers the UK's decision to maintain the graduate route for international students, the role of AI tutors, and the necessity for higher education institutions to adapt their curriculums to meet today's learners in the current state of technology and learning. The hosts also touch on the controversial use of AI in replicating voices, enrollment trends, and groundbreaking AI functionalities like OpenAI's GPT-4o. Tune in to understand how these developments could reshape the educational landscape and what it means for the future of learning.

00:00 UK universities concerned about international student impact.

06:07 Jealous of short election cycles, OPM troubles.

07:19 Challenges with U bootcamps led to exit.

12:55 AI developments are overwhelming, changing daily life.

13:51 AI advancements and partnerships expand education tools.

19:38 Generative AI acts as a real-time tutor.

23:52 Neil's comment inspired a disagreement about conversations.

27:04 Discussion on AI tutoring and educational efficacy.

28:58 Google should focus on providing tools for education.

34:09 Tech companies role in education and bypassing it.

39:08 Higher education uncertain about embracing tech advancements.

40:41 "Engaging, useful education; differentiate and seize opportunity."

44:09 Fascinating news on AI and higher education.