As America’s college student population becomes increasingly diverse, school administrators must be open to replacing old and ineffective ways of teaching with new modes of learning that ensure broader student success.
That was the essence of the message delivered Monday by a panel of higher education leaders at the annual meeting of the American Council on Education. The national conference began over the weekend in Washington, D.C., and continues through today.
But embracing innovation for innovation’s sake is not enough, one of the speakers said during the plenary session, titled “Improving College Readiness and Completion.”
“If you have innovation, it’s wonderful,” said Dr. Diana G. Oblinger, president and CEO of Educause, a nonprofit with the mission of advancing higher education through intelligent use of information technology. “But until you have something that reaches all these millions of students, you won’t have success.”
The panel discussion focused on a range of issues shaping the college completion agenda — from the growth of online learning to a student population that is becoming older and more female. The panel also questioned the wisdom of several longstanding higher education practices.
For instance, some speakers questioned the value of requiring students to take college algebra in order to earn their degree. Another criticized institutions that make students who didn’t fare well in traditional educational settings endure more of the same when they take remedial courses in college.
“This is really about optimization,” said Mark Milliron, deputy director of postsecondary improvement at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a member of the panel.
