The future of student life: working

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-168
Author(s):  
Jason Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complete Work ◽  
The Future ◽  
Critical Skills ◽  
The University ◽  
A Company ◽  
Research Domains

Purpose A research project exploring the emerging student needs explored six aspects of a student’s life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. The aspect of “working” is explored in this paper, considering how the spread of and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation might reconfigure work, and asking what the implications of shifts in how we engage in and complete work mean for student needs. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the two scenarios about the working domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project and highlight implications for the future of higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. Findings Among the various findings of the research, the most important was the critical uncertainty as to what extent will AI, automation and general advancements in technology reshape work. These technologies are actively transforming how work is accomplished and how it is organized. Given the importance of work as a central organizing principle for many, this transition adds great uncertainty to the critical skills that students will need in the future, as well as calling into question how the other five research domains (learning, playing, connecting, participating and living) are organized. The research also found that students and those entering the workforce can expect increased levels of competition for steady work within a company. Based on the current trajectory of trends and changes, it will be increasingly challenging to climb a “career ladder”, and credentials will be even more important in terms of gaining entry into the employment market. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This research explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

Nine emerging student needs

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hines ◽  
Alexandra Whittington
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Cafe ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. The resulting scenarios were analyzed for their implications, including the use of the World Café technique, and ultimately led to the identification of nine emerging student needs. Findings Nine specific emerging needs of future students could be used strategically by institutions of higher education to guide and inform planning and to generate innovative ideas for university offerings. Specific examples of offerings that would meet the projected future needs are recommended. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This piece explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

The future of student life: participating

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-180
Author(s):  
Johann Schutte
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Maker Movement ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The University

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Participating is explored here. This aspect focuses on the ways that students may become active citizens by participating in civic life. Insights are gained as to how students may engage with universities and governments and how they will contribute to the public sphere. Themes such as voting, (h)activism, transparency and digital strategies to improve governance are explored. This paper aims to summarize two scenarios about the Participating domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project and highlight implications for the future of higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. Findings The ability of students and citizens to innovate and affect change should not be underestimated. The maker movement and the “life hacking” meme are symbols of the hidden societal energy available to governments to improve the world and solve our pressing issues. For this to be effective, the role of the hacker, and hacktivism in general as a form of civic participation, should be reframed as a positive contributor of change. The relationship between governing bodies and activism is at a crossroads. The current age of interconnectivity offers tremendous potential for governing bodies to include civil contributions and innovation in a powerful, net-positive way. However, the status quo is so often the opposite and those who are being governed are perceived as a threat. There is a need for key players and leaders to creatively act according to innovative paradigms and principles that strategically reconcile the hacked and the hacking for the greater good of society. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Originality/value This paper explores student life in its totality as a way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

The future of student life: connecting

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-176
Author(s):  
James Breaux
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Future ◽  
Brick And Mortar ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The University

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Connecting is explored in this paper. Students will be more connected in the future. They will expect more bandwidth and tools. Driven by the impacts of social expectations in a world of changing sexual and gender mores, they may participate in a wider range of communities. This paper aims to summarize two scenarios about the Connecting domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project, and highlight implications for the future of higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. Findings Students will become more connected; connected to their extended families, to communities and to artificial intelligence. The technological interfaces facilitating these connections and many others will become less dispensable and more essential to happy daily life; don't leave home without your “phone”. To address the stressors arising from increasing information and social connectivity, students will need more counseling and tools to adjust and flourish. The formation of character, which is so central an outcome of the student learning experience, will no longer rely so heavily on face-to-face interactions at brick and mortar locations, but will be the result of a kaleidoscope of machine and personal interactions conducted remotely, asynchronously, and virtually as well. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, this paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This piece explores student life in its totality as a way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

The future of student life: learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie King
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
New Learning ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Learning is explored here. New learning models and approaches and changing student expectations could lead to dramatic reshaping of the higher education landscape. The purpose of this paper is to summarize two scenarios about the learning domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project and highlight implications for the future of higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. Findings Students will increasingly gravitate toward new learning models focused on experiential learning, taking advantage of advanced “edutech” and aimed at achieving specific outcomes. They will seek personalized learning approaches specific to their needs, and they will be increasingly willing to look outside the traditional higher education system if needed. The landscape will be characterized by power struggles: between the traditional players and the new entrants, between institutions and students and between competing philosophies of learning. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This research explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

The future of student life: playing

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-172
Author(s):  
Laura Schlehuber
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Civic Life ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Playing is explored here, considering changes in student approaches to leisure, recreation and having fun and investigates how playing in general is changing. The purpose of this paper summarizes two scenarios about the playing domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project and highlights implications for the future of higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. Findings Play has gotten serious. It is increasingly scheduled, supervised and often includes some larger objective, such as learning. This purposeful play is spreading into virtual space as well, which will increasingly be the setting for play. In the longer term, play – in the form or gamification – is likely to integrate into more and more of student life. Games and play will be used for teaching in the classroom (real and virtual), at work for training, to make exercise “fun”, and even in civic life for encouraging greater participation in governance. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This research explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

The future of student life: living

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-160
Author(s):  
Maria Romero
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Living is explored here. Increasing numbers of empowered students are actively considering the long-term effects and values in their decision-making that could drive a shift towards a more student-centric educational approach. This paper aims to summarize two scenarios about the Living domain from the Student Needs 2025+ project and highlights implications for the future of higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. Findings Values shift: the introduction of more postmodern values in the student body will change their dynamic not only as a group but also as individual patterns of consumption and behavior. Technology is a double-edged sword: as an important variable of the social system, technological developments come with unintended consequences that will impact apparently distant areas of the system, like health and personal wellbeing. Lack of long-term vision: students today are not trained to make decisions considering long-term consequences; instead, they would rather choose instant rewards. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students and their key customers are evolving. Originality/value This piece explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

The futures of the University of Tehran using causal layered analysis

foresight ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadali Baradaran Ghahfarokhi ◽  
Ali Mohaghar ◽  
Fatemeh Saghafi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Current System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Master Plans ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Future ◽  
Causal Layered Analysis ◽  
The Times ◽  
The University

PurposeHigher education and universities have faced unprecedented and ubiquitous changes. The University of Tehran or “UT,” as the leading university in Iran, is not immune to these changes. The purposes of this study is to investigate the current situation and future of the UT and gain insights and possible responses to changes that suit its strengths and potential to progress in an increasingly competitive, complex environment with uncertainties. It identifies deep fundamental underpinnings of the issue and highlights them for policymakers to formulate strategies and future vision of the UT.Design/methodology/approachCausal layered analysis (CLA) was applied as a framework and the data collected from different sources such as literature reviews, content analysis of rules, regulations and master plans of the university and coded interviews of four different groups of university stakeholders were analyzed. The current system of UT, as well as hidden beliefs, that maintains traditional perceptions about university was mapped. Next, by applying a new recursive process and reverse CLA order, new CLA layers extracted through an expert panel, the layers of CLA based on new metaphors to envision future of UT were backcasted.FindingsThe results from CLA layers including litany, system, worldview and metaphor about the current statue of UT show disinterest and inertia against changes, conservative, behind the times and traditional perceptions, and indicate that the UT system is mismatched to the needs of society and stakeholders in the future. The authors articulated alternative perspectives deconstructed from other worldviews so there are new narratives that reframe the issues at hand. The results show that to survive in this fast-paced revolution and competition in higher education, UT should develop scenarios and formulate new strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors had limited access to a wide range of stakeholders. As the UT is a very big university with so many faculties and departments, to access a pool of experts and top policymakers who were so busy and did not have time to interview inside and outside of university was very hard for the research team. The authors also had limitation to access the internal enactments and decisions of the trustee board of the UT and the financial balance sheets of the university.Originality/valueIn this paper, by mixing different methods of futures studies, the authors have shown how to move forward while understanding the perspectives of stakeholders about the future of UT by a new recursive process and reverse CLA order. A supplementary phase was added to improve CLA and to validate the method and results, which were ignored in previous studies.

Emerging student needs disrupting higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Hines
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Balance Of Power ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Preparation ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs identified two potentially disruptive shifts for the future of higher education: a shift in balance of power from institutions toward the students and a shift in the purpose of higher education away from job preparation. The research suggests that current drivers are eventually moving toward these shifts but that several “accelerators” may hasten their arrival. The paper aims to describe the process for identifying the emerging needs, the potentially disruptive shifts and key implications for higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to identify the emerging needs, the disruptive shifts and their implications. Findings Emerging student needs suggest two potential disruptive shifts for higher education: shift in balance of power from institutions toward the students and shift in the purpose of higher education away from job preparation. Practical implications Current institutions of higher education may need to reconsider their purpose, mission and value proposition in light of these disruptive shifts. Social implications Beyond just higher education, there is a need for a larger society-wide dialogue about the emerging future and how to best prepare students for it. Originality/value This extensive research carried out from the student perspective suggests disruptive shifts ahead relating to the purpose and future of higher education.

Key issues influencing the future internationalization of higher education: the case of Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Hines ◽  
Lakhana Dockiao
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
Horizon Scanning ◽  
The Future ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The rapidly changed global context for internationalization (IZN) over the next decade prompted a decision to use a futurist perspective for identifying issues to be considered in the organization’s next strategic plan. This paper aims to report on this project to identify current and strategic issues influencing the future strategy of the higher education (HE) IZN for Thailand on behalf of the Bureau of International Cooperation Strategy and the Office of the Higher Education Commission. Design/methodology/approach The research approach was a customized version of the University of Houston’s Framework Foresight method. It involved framing the domain with a description and domain map, scanning for signals of change within the domain and emerging issues analysis to produce a set of current and emerging issues. A planning step synthesizes a set of recommended actions. Findings The key findings reported in this paper are the identification of 14 current and emerging issues influencing the future of the IZN of HE in Thailand. The issues were organized along with the three horizons framework: H1: how are we [currently] doing? H2: what should we do next and H3, where do we want to go? The primary recommendation of this research reported on in this study is to consider the 14 issues for inclusion into the next strategic plan. Seven specific strategic options mapped over three phases were identified as well. The research reported here was carried out for Thailand, but the process could easily be adapted by other countries and other topics. Research limitations/implications The modified version of the University of Houston Framework Foresight approach has been applied successfully to many topics. The topic explored here is focused on one nation, Thailand. The authors feel the lessons are, however, broadly applicable. Practical implications The ability to use a futurist perspective to identify current and emerging issues is highlighted. The organizing of the issues using the three horizons framework proved to be particularly useful in helping the client to develop a sense of timing regarding the future, that is, when and to what degree to pay attention to the many issues that typically confront any organization. Originality/value The use of the three horizons framework in the analysis of the emerging issues provide benefits in two ways in situating the likely timing of signals of change in horizon scanning and “scan hits” both scanning for the identification of issues and organizing the resulting current and emerging issues along the three horizons with H1 current issues: how are we [currently] doing?; H2 emerging issues: what should we do next and H3 emerging issues, where do we want to go? The paper also includes a section exploring the impact of Covid-19 on the likely timing of the issues identified just before the pandemic hit, finding that timing of some issues would speed up, some would stay the same and some would slow down.

Framework foresight for exploring emerging student needs

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-156
Author(s):  
Andy Hines
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Client Needs ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to describe the approach used by the research team to explore the topic of future student needs. It described the specific method, Framework Foresight, and how it was adapted to meet the circumstances of topic and client. Design/methodology/approach This paper focuses on the approach that guided the original research study on which this special issue is based. It describes the use of the Framework Foresight method developed by the Houston Foresight program and how it was adapted for the project. Findings The paper demonstrates how the Framework Foresight method can be effectively used to explore the future of a topic, in this case future student needs. It points out how it can be adapted or customized to suit particular topic or client needs. Research limitations/implications The research focused on the student perspective and identified implications of those findings for higher education institutions and their stakeholders. It did not explicitly focus on how to “fix” higher education or its institutions. Practical implications The Framework Foresight method is presented as an effective way to way to explore the future of a topic, in this case future student needs. The paper makes the case that the method develops a solid foundation for developing interesting and useful findings and recommendation for action. Originality/value This paper is the first to explicitly identify and describe the application of the Framework Foresight and how it can be customized to explore the future of a topic.

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