Dive Brief:
- Arizona State University has launched an Action Lab, a research hub designed to assess and improve teaching models in order to develop better learning outcomes for students.
- The lab focuses on course design, teaching delivery, adaptive learning modules and personalized learning in order to create best practices and innovative approaches to education provision.
- Officials hope the lab offers scalable solutions for how different schools can integrate technology and instruction to better meet the needs of a student population increasing in its diversity.
Dive Insight:
Arizona State continues to push the boundaries of innovation in higher education, adding adaptive learning research to an institutional profile which includes one of the nation's largest online degree programs and its recently-launched nonprofit holdings in research and real estate. ASU has a blueprint for innovation within the traditional higher education model; one which other institutions of all sizes can offer in proportion to their mission and budget.
A school may not have the budget or technology to offer online degrees to potential students nationwide, but may be able to work with local community colleges and neighboring corporations to enhance workforce development in a region. Other schools may not be financially sound enough to devote a research institute to teaching models, but, like the University of South Florida, they can leverage technology to provide enhanced student support and faculty development. But funding trends and growing government scrutiny mean all schools must adapt or face the risk of being outpaced by the market, or outlawed from student aid funding sources.