Stanley S. Litow’s Post

In college, it's becoming evident that many courses lack the rigor needed to foster critical thinking and deep understanding. Out of numerous classes, only a handful have truly challenged me—requiring extensive library sessions, visits to professors' office hours, and a deep dive into the subject matter. This pattern reflects a broader issue: a shift away from intellectual rigor across universities. With a growing emphasis on ease over intellectual engagement, colleges risk producing graduates with limited analytical skills and shallow understanding. This undermines educational standards and future success. As we navigate this landscape, it's crucial to advocate for a return to academic excellence, ensuring that every course encourages students to think critically and engage deeply with the material. What's your take on the state of critical thinking in higher education today?

Even at the highest levels of #education, the fundamental questions of planning remain: What skills do you have, what do you need to learn in order to accomplish your goals, and what courses can you take to get you there? At Boston University, Ph.D. students study for at least five years, learning so much inside and outside the classroom. But BU’s problem was how to help those students demonstrate their new abilities in a way the non-academic world could understand: they needed a #skills-based approach, and they turned to Lightcast. Discover how our Open Skills #taxonomy unlocked new possibilities in this customer success story: https://lnkd.in/eHkXg_Sh

For many educators, teaching is not just a career, it’s a calling. Greater Share Education Committee member Vicki Phillips writes what she sees for the future of the field: “Systems and leaders are also moving ahead with efforts to support student agency, engaging all students as global citizens and problem solvers. That means evolving learning systems to ensure that students have the skills to learn across their lives. These systems are redesigning the education experience, leveraging technology to create deeper learning and impart the skills and competencies all learners will need in the future economy. They are supporting learning that takes place anywhere and anytime, inside and outside of school. And seeing communities as partners and accelerators of student success.” https://lnkd.in/e4rAvbhb

Every higher education institution shapes the student experience by applying a storied history to its own unique traditions. But there’s one area where every institution must depart from tradition to prepare students for what happens after they graduate, and for a central characteristic of the working world: #DigitalTransformation. Here are 3 ways to help prepare students for the future:

Breaking the Chains of Tradition in Education: A Call for Innovation As we journey into the 21st century, it's time to critically examine the traditions that have long governed our education systems. While tradition can offer stability and continuity, it can also stifle innovation and hinder progress. For too long, we've adhered to the same old methods of teaching and learning, rooted in centuries-old practices that may no longer serve the needs of our rapidly evolving society. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advancements, globalization, and shifting social dynamics. Yet, our education systems often remain mired in the past, clinging to outdated practices that fail to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world. One of the most glaring examples of this is our continued reliance on rote memorization and standardized testing. Instead of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, we prioritize regurgitation of facts and figures. This not only stifles students' intellectual curiosity but also fails to equip them with the skills they need to thrive in today's complex and interconnected world. #education #innovation #development #teaching

Every higher education institution shapes the student experience by applying a storied history to its own unique traditions. But there’s one area where every institution must depart from tradition to prepare students for what happens after they graduate, and for a central characteristic of the working world: #DigitalTransformation. Here are 3 ways to help prepare students for the future:

Many business executives with past or ongoing academic careers get stuck in their pedagogical ways when dealing with their new business environment. Such awkward fitting can hurt their relationship with their new working environment. This, in turn, leads to that paradoxical phenomenon that most academics fail expectations when they leave their college offices to join the industry.

Every higher education institution shapes the student experience by applying a storied history to its own unique traditions. But there’s one area where every institution must depart from tradition to prepare students for what happens after they graduate, and for a central characteristic of the working world: #DigitalTransformation. Here are 3 ways to help prepare students for the future:

The future of higher education is ripe for innovation. In his thoughtful book The Abundant University, Professor Michael D. Smith makes a compelling case that now is the time to disrupt traditional residential college systems with technology. I recommend reading this vision of the future of higher education. Prof Smith identified that as more employers deprioritize university degrees in hiring, the main sources of power historically controlled by universities are fading. While I, personally, loved my on-campus undergraduate and Masters experiences, I would not have had the opportunity to earn my doctorate without the flexibility of an online program - which speaks to the value of expanding access. I learned from this book that too many people are left out of the status quo higher education system. The possibilities of online and hybrid learning models to expand education and empower lifelong learners are exciting. By embracing change and leveraging technology, we can transform higher education to serve all students more equitably and inclusively. I'm eager to be part of positive reforms that make abundant, high-quality education available to everyone who wants it.