AI curriculum will become mainstream in K-12 classrooms, particularly in high schools. Increasingly, schools will recognize the importance of AI literacy and establish policies and guidelines for how students can and should use generative AI in their work. We’ll see states in the U.S. pave the way with acceptable use standards and policies to protect students using the technology, while schools around the country roll out AI coursework.
Schools will also start to encounter new risks stemming from AI use by staff. As a result, schools will have to start providing their staff with centrally-managed generative AI tools that have prebuilt safeguards in place to ensure safe and ethical use, much as they do today with other productivity tools.
6. Mission-critical systems will continue to be modernized
Education leaders have been at a crossroads for some time now, as balancing growth ambitions with aging infrastructure and outdated systems has become increasingly difficult.
As the pool of applicants decreases, competition is on the rise, and students are seeking a modern, sustainable, and reliable experience. This means mission-critical systems, such as student information systems (SIS) that increase both operational and student success, will continue to be modernized. The SIS of the future will focus more on the student experience, as well as ease of integration and interoperability.
7. Institutions will rethink alumni engagement
Understanding the needs of alumni and how best to engage them america phone number list meaningfully is crucial to building a great institution. While advancement offices will continue to interact with alumni via traditional channels, they won’t be restricted by them. In 2024, institutions will be more strategic in placing alumni at the heart of their efforts by creating personal and easily accessible programs such as mentoring, volunteering, and career networking.
8. Skills and credentials will be better recognized as educational achievements
According to WorkingNation, nearly 70% of professional jobs require a four-year college degree, but less than 40% of U.S. workers have one. Many people with cutting-edge technology skills don’t have a degree, but might have a different type of credential.
Corporations and technology companies will begin to widen their talent pools by screening for applicants with skilled credentials — certifications that demonstrate an industry-approved level of skill or expertise. This will be an opportunity for institutions to strengthen corporate and employer relations so that students can work under the observation of industry professionals who can certify they have acquired the skill.
I welcome your feedback and the chance to talk more about these trends. To continue your learning, take a look at the Leveraging Data and AI to Boost Enrollment and Retention case study to discover how data and AI can strengthen institution-student connections.