Key points:
- Expert panelists identified AI as a trend and key technology in higher ed, all before ChatGPT exploded
- Beyond AI, however, are trends around students demanding more flexibility, plus political or environmental trends that might influence campus operations
- See related article: IT leaders are critical for a positive student experience
Who knew this century could see an acronym as pervasive, and scary, as COVID-19? Congratulations AI (let’s assume I don’t have to spell that out for you). Its advent has taken over society’s consciousness—for better or worse. And the education space is front and center as either the greatest benefactor or the first victim of our new AI overlords.
Thankfully, the experts involved with the EDUCAUSE 2023 Horizon Report are on the case, clarifying and specifying the potential and pitfalls of not only AI but other ascending models of higher ed learning like Hyperflex. Their methodology as described in the report:
The [report] is grounded in the perspectives and knowledge of an expert panel of practitioners and thought leaders from around the world who represent the higher education, teaching and learning, and technology fields. This year’s group included returning and first-time Horizon panelists, all sought out for their unique viewpoints, as well as for their contributions and leadership within their respective domains. The panel represents a balance of global contexts, with members contributing from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. We also sought balances in gender, ethnicity, and institutional size and type. Dependent as the Horizon Report is on the voices of its panel, every effort was made to ensure those voices were diverse and that each could uniquely enrich the group’s work.
The report itself is not a light lift. You may want to save it for plane or weekend reading. But even a brief scroll should be insightful for any higher ed administrator. I had the pleasure of discussing the background and results of this year’s report with Kathe Pelletier, Director of Teaching and Learning Program at EDUCAUSE. Scroll below for highlights of the transcript.
ECN: Can you give us the origin story for the Horizon Report?
KP: We inherited the report in 2019. Since then, we have taken a step back and looked at the approach to the research, the approach to the panel, and the approach to the content of the report and we have been making refinements over the last several years. We’ve added a second report that comes out annually, that rotates. The first one we added was related to cybersecurity. The second one that we added was related to data and analytics. And then we’re actually working with a panel right now for a third one on supporting the holistic student experience. We might see a fourth flavor of report coming out in the future, too.
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- More than just AI—Kathe Pelletier of EDUCAUSE on the 2023 Horizon Report - June 6, 2023
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