Blockchain in Higher Education: Are we on the Cusp of Transformation or Still Gathering Information?

October 10, 2019.Reading time 21 minutes.

a visual representation of blockchain, connected and lit blue lines

Blockchain? In higher ed? Maybe? Yes? No? We had so many questions about this trending topic, so, we found some experts and asked them about it. Today, Megan Raymond, WCET’s Director of Programs and Sponsorship, is here to discuss her interview with three higher education experts about blockchain and the opportunity for this technology in […]

Building a Network for Curation – the #femedtech movement

August 22, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

As a women working in edtech, open education, and higher education, the #femedtech network has provided hope, joy, and encouragement for me and many others working within the space. Although Maren and I have never met in person, I am a Twitter friend and I invited her to write a WCET blog post exploring the […]

An Introspective Look at WCET’s Own Accessibility Practices, Part II

August 5, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

Photograph showing a pink accessibility sign, which points towards a “Step Free Route.”

Last week, I began to explain what WCET is doing – and potential areas of improvement – about web accessibility, based on different disabilities and barriers that people with those disabilities may encounter as described by The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Check out my first post for background information on what led me to […]

College affordability and the Democratic presidential debates: Is free college higher education’s moonshot?

July 1, 2019.Reading time 11 minutes.

Photo of the first footprint from mankind on the moon

The Democratic debates are heating up already and they were quite interesting to watch (and it was also interesting to read the social media commentary). Today our new Policy and Planning Consultant, Van Davis, is here to provide an update on the candidate’s higher education plans and how each of these might impact higher technology-enhanced […]

Tracking enrollments in online and distance education in Canada: 2018

March 26, 2019.Reading time 13 minutes.

Pie chart graph that addresses the question "How Important is Online Learning for Your Institution's Strategic/Academic Plan?" The graph is divided into the following categories: extremely, very, moderately, slightly, and not at all.

WCET plays an integral role in advising the Canadian National Survey of Online and Distance Education. This is the second year of the survey and the following blog contains the most recent results. Thanks Tricia Donovan! –Erin Walton, contract editor for WCET In Canada, about one in twelve (8%) of all courses are taught online. […]

Generation Z Engaged in the Classroom

March 6, 2019.Reading time 15 minutes.

Picture of Generation Z student studying and touching a large computer screen. The computer screen contains a circular graph that shows how to increase motivation. This picture is an ideal learning environment for a Gen Z student.

Vickie S. Cook, Executive Director of the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service at the University of Illinois Springfield, explores the strengths of the innovative and eager Generation Z students. In her blog, she depicts the unique story and gifts offered by this generation within an academic and professional context. As invested educators, we […]

Adventures at the Consumer Electronics Show: the world’s largest “Digital Disney World,” the higher ed perspective

February 8, 2019.Reading time 20 minutes.

Picture of the shoes of two people standing on tile that reads, "Passion Led Us Here."

Executive director of WCET, Mike Abbiatti, recently attended the massive Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. New and soon-to-be introduced electronic products are unveiled each year at the Show. The following blog contains the details and reflections of his adventure through the latest technological innovations. He also wonders what the impact of these new tools […]

Regional Collaboration in Promoting OER Adoption

December 12, 2018.Reading time 15 minutes.

Today WCET Frontiers is excited to showcase the recent Open Educational Resources (OER) Implementation and Policy Summit for the MHEC States. This multi-state OER meeting brought together OER advocates from across campuses, legislatures, faculty, students, and more to collaboratively learn about OER and OER expansion for their states. To give us a review of this […]

Marketable Skills + Credentialing = the Value of Signals

December 6, 2018.Reading time 11 minutes.

Defintion of "signal" from oxford dictionaries: VERB Transmit information or instructions by means of a gesture, action, or sound. NOUN A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions, typically by prearrangement between the parties concerned.

What signals do you use to showcase your skills and expertise? Our students need a way to let future employers know about their collegiate experiences and accomplishments. Today we welcome Mike Simmons from University of North Texas to discuss their institutional solution to changing workforce and higher education needs when it comes to credentials. Thank […]

Accessibility & Procurement: What do we need to know?

November 14, 2018.Reading time 22 minutes.

quote box: Higher education needs to “bake” accessibility into our activities rather than wait to “bolt” it on after the fact.

WCET and the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) jointly offer this blog post on a topic of national interest to education communities. This post is part of the on-going collaboration on accessibility issues between WCET and OLC. Thank you to Kelly Hermann, University of Phoenix, for today’s guest post on these important issues! If you’re attending OLC Accelerate […]