As we wrapped up 2020, we thought for sure that 2021 might bring us a reprieve from pandemic learning. Well, it did–but it also didn’t. Virtual and hybrid learning continued into the spring, but campuses gradually welcomed students back for in-person and hybrid learning. 

Many silver linings emerged, and flexible online learning options became a “must have” for more and more students. Equity remained front and center, too, raising issues of inequitable technology access, along with racial and socioeconomic disparities and discrimination. 

2021 brought with it renewed calls to support the nation’s educators, who have worked tirelessly (and constantly) to support students’ varied learning needs and personal and professional obligations. 

And now, we head into our third year of learning during a global pandemic. We asked edtech executives, stakeholders, and experts to share some of their thoughts and predictions about where they think edtech is headed in 2022.

Here’s what they had to say:

Higher ed value and globalization. The value equation for higher ed is changing and colleges and universities that invest in globalization to build better student experiences in 2022 can offer more engaged learning communities. Students want to get back to normal and connect to other cultures and countries – and advisors and administrators want the same. This pent-up demand will drive increased interest in study abroad and international education and sustain adoption of pandemic best practices such as study away and internationalization on campus. At the same time international education drives economic value on campuses and in the economy at large. Given this landscape new strategies will emerge in 2022 to engage students and align global experiential learning opportunities with individual profiles and student objectives. To remain competitive, institutions will invest in the consolidation and integration of previously siloed functions to streamline globalization processes and grow related programs. Learning is about experience and strategies that connect students and scholars with the global community will help deliver the authentic personal experience that many students need and crave. –Anthony Rotoli, CEO, Terra Dotta

Check out the full article from eCampus News