The educational landscape has been reimagined (with a distinct rise in e-learning), owing to major shifts in the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental fronts. After all, major world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic are an inflection point for rapid innovation.
During this age of digital disruption, it’s more important than ever for students to feel a sense of purpose and security in their academic journeys. As their expectations skyrocket and their requirements become more robust, institutions must reorient themselves to helping students achieve success.
This is more likely to be accomplished if they feel directed, focused, nurtured, engaged, connected, valued, and above all – supported!
From an institutional point of view, here are five steps to seizing student success in a digital age.
1. Building the right environment
It’s important for institutions to acknowledge the ever-evolving nature of student profiles, which has been compounded further by the pandemic. As students from non-traditional backgrounds (rural students, international students, corporate students) become the norm, higher education institutions must be willing and able to adapt their strategies across all dimensions of the learner experience, in order to efficiently onboard and guide the new-age student. To do so successfully, they must revisit their leadership mindset and realign their pedagogical approach, towards measurable outcomes. This begins by building the right Blended Learning environment, one that empowers and inspires students to succeed, be it within or outside the classroom. From enrolment to graduation, Camu helps students navigate and operate a hyper fragmented, tech-driven world with confidence and ease.
2. Incorporating impact learning models
Institutions have had to turn to deep digital transformation techniques to get education back on track. Yes, the role of technology has changed from being a mere support function to becoming the singular enabler. And with this shift to virtual, higher education leaders have been presented with many opportunities to enhance the overall learning experience for students through personalized, competency-based curriculums. For instance, the Blended Learning and Hybrid Learning models have allowed academicians to combine campus-based activities with virtual classroom activities, to offer students convenience, accessibility, efficacy and flexibility in education. Furthermore, the Outcome Based Education Model directly correlates programmes and courses to specific student objectives, so that they may achieve success at the end of each semester, at the time of graduation and post-graduation too! Camu is compatible with all the aforementioned modules ensuring success from the moment a student is enrolled.
3. Implementing efficient support services
Whether it is enrolling for courses, securing financial aid, developing strong digital literacy skills or even mastering complex course material, students will have to overcome a wide variety of challenges on their path to graduation. The most crucial one being, honing technical skills. It’s important to remember that having sound digital competency is becoming an increasingly important mandate for graduates. But being digitally literate goes beyond the capacity of using technology, it is the aptitude to function critically and effectively in a digitally enhanced environment! This is why higher education institutions must look to support students through effective training and mentorship programmes. Apart from skills support, students must also have access to an integrated and unified platform that aids them in all their actions. Camu’s Digital Student Services simplifies a whole range of tasks, from applying for an ID Card, to requesting for a transcript to scheduling an appointment with a faculty member.
4. Inculcating student-driven operations
The secret to achieving student success is developing student-centric processes that pay heed to the needs and wants of a diverse, dynamic and rapidly changing student population. By putting the student first, institutions will be geared towards helping them achieve their dreams and aspirations. From designing student-friendly lecture schedules to creating student-led study groups to fostering student-teacher communities and supporting student-driven learning modules, the idea is to give learners a platform to succeed. Models like Choice Based Credit System awards students’ complete autonomy over their academic journeys, while Lifelong Learning paves the way for continuous growth and self-awareness. And this kind of freedom and autonomy only comes with having a dependable software solution that doesn’t restrict students to a desk or a desktop. MyCamu turns a student’s smartphone into a portable campus that enhances student learning through instant connectivity, real-time updates, and information, 24X7!
5. Initiating beneficial external partnerships
Beyond just imparting education and instilling the right combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes, an institution plays a major role in helping students transition from the academic to the professional phase of life. Deemed as a critical student success factor, this course is reflective of an institution’s array of networks, affiliations and partnerships in the industry. After all, a school, college or university that forges relationships with outside entities can offer its students an advantage in their careers and beyond. Career guidance counseling, industry mentoring, internships, and ultimately placements – the sky’s the limit! Camu’s inspiring mentorship programme, powerful alumni network and flexible internship credit, helps strengthen a student’s prospects in the global marketplace.
Achieving student success is an ongoing process. And it will require institutions to foster the right culture, develop the right skill sets, and invest in the right infrastructure.
