On balance, 2016 marked a year of maturation for higher education. More institutions turned to technology to solve problems both old and new. All things “learning” attracted much of this attention, from the evolution of the learning management system (LMS) market to re-imagined market niches like learning relationship management (LRM) and learning analytics. Online and continuing education programs tested new programs and marketing campaigns to drive demand amid slowing growth.
In many ways, these events and others reflect a broadening institutional focus, from increasing enrollments alone to tackling the student experience in a more meaningful way. If you wanted to give it a label, you might call it the year of “student success.”
2016 also saw a growing awareness, particularly among traditional institutions, that it is time to seriously prepare for a new, tech-savvy generation of students to hit our campuses. With Millennials now increasingly populating the adult learner market, institutions must put their energy into preparing for Generation Z—students approaching college search with expectations for a more personalized experience.
These trends are reflected in the most-viewed Wake-Up Calls by 2016 by you, our readers. As you reflect on your own accomplishments in 2016, we have included our top 5 posts of 2016 below. Enjoy, and thank you for your readership!