Visions and Perspectives for the Future of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education by 2050 - an International Future Study Research Project

Duration

2017–2027

Principal/Sponsor

FernUniversität in Hagen (University of Hagen), Institute of Education and Media Research/Chair Adult and Continuing Education

Self-funded and University of the Future Network (UFN)

Abstract

The growing necessity of reforming the education system is based on the need to address the changing world of the 21st century. Higher education institutions like other educational institutions are on the cusp of major disruption created in part by globalisation, digitalisation and recently the growing pandemic caused by Covid-19. Never before has the education sector being challenged the way it has been in the last few months and years. The crisis illustrated that changes can happen faster than expected. Yet, we will have to change our thinking about future developments in higher education not only as response to Covid-19, but also other developments, such as the accelerating climate change, see UFN-manifesto.

The research focuses on the future of teaching and learning in higher education. It conceptualizes as a future study and aims to identify forward-looking indicators and strategies to implement teaching and learning policies in higher education. This will be achieved by bringing together international experts from different fields, e. g. higher education, economy, public sector, to provide visions for the future of teaching and learning. Thus, the study aims to chart visioning paths to desirable futures with a goal setting and strategy developing function and to provide perspectives in relation to research and innovation.

The study is framed by interviews that were conducted in 2017 at the UFN-Meeting in Hagen as part of the study Hochschulen der Zukunftand interviews with experts in 2018. Central themes regarding the university of the future could be elaborated. These finding were expanded by three rounds of focus group discussions which were conducted between May and June 2020 with a panel of experts to respond to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the findings a Delphi survey will to be conducted which aims to lead to visionary scenarios for the future of teaching and learning in higher education with a time horizon by 2050.

Project lead

  • Prof Eva Cendon, Institute of Education and Media Research/Chair Adult and Continuing Education, FernUniversität in Hagen (University of Hagen)
  • Prof Mpine Makoe, Institute for Open Distance Learning, University of South Africa

  • Supported by members of the University of the Future Network

Former project staff

  • Dorothée Schulte M. A., Institute of Education and Media Research/Chair University Continuing Education & Teaching and Learning, FernUniversität in Hagen (University of Hagen)

Further information

Findings/Publications

Schulte, Dorothée; Cendon, Eva & Makoe, Mpine (submitted). Future Scenarios for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Schulte, Dorothée, & Makoe, Mpine (2020). Accessibility and Inclusivity in Higher Education and the Impact of Covid-19: Implications for active citizenship and university lifelong learning. In , eucen Studies. eJournal of University Lifelong Learning: eucen ULLL Open Fora 2020. Vol 4, No 2 (pp. 37–43). eucen Electronic Press, 2020.

Schulte, Dorothée, Cendon, Eva & Makoe, Mpine (2020). Re-Visioning the Future of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Report on Focus Group Discussions for the UNESCO Future of Education Initiative. University of the Future Network. Retrieved from https://unifuture.network/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/08/20200722_UFN_UNESCO-report_fin.pdf

Schulte, Dorothée & Cendon, Eva contributed by Hochberg, Jana & Wild, Rüdiger (2019). The Digitalization of the University of the Future. Visions on the Future of Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age. [Video] Retrieved from https://www.fernuni-hagen.de/bildungswissenschaft/erwachsenen-und-weiterbildung/forschung/ergebnisse/video-the-digitalization-of-the-university-of-the-future.shtml

LG Erwachsenen- und Weiterbildung