Our most popular higher ed articles; Reflecting on 2020; Redesigning education for lifelong learning

No. 250 | 01/01/21 | Subscribe to this newsletter This issue is sponsored by If you're reading this newsletter ... welcome to 2021!    We're as ready as you are to put the annus horribilis behind us. But first, we're pausing to think for a few moments about what we all learned about higher education in 2020. You can read the reflections of some EdSurge reporters here. We're also publishing retrospectives from people who work across the college and edtech landscape—to illuminate the challenges the whole higher ed community has faced over the past 12 months.    Lastly, this week we are giving an encore to the most-popular higher ed stories of 2020. We invite you to take another look at the EdSurge reporting and commentary that was most widely searched for and shared among readers like you.      And with that, happy new year! ✍️ REFLECTING ON 2020    REAR-VIEW MIRROR: Several EdSurge reporters and editors pressed pause for just a few moments this week to reflect on what it's been like to bring you education journalism during the unrelenting news cycle of 2020. Here are their thoughts, and even a few feelings, too. This piece is part of a series of year-end reflections EdSurge is publishing as 2020 concludes.    BACK TO BASICS: When it comes to student needs like food and housing, the pandemic took a problem and made it a crisis. So writes Carrie Welton of the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice in an op-ed this week. She argues that we must prioritize college completion for students who stand to gain the most from it—those who face barriers like hunger.    COLLEGE AS A PUBLIC GOOD: 2020 is the year that the disconnect between the purported mission of post-secondary institutions—enhancing the intellectual, social, and economic potential of students, staff, faculty, and community—and the actual operations became apparent to all, argues John Warner. He's author of a new book "Sustainable. Resilient. Free: The Future of Public Higher Education," and he sees the events of 2020 as reason for a new collective understanding of higher education as a public good.   HIGHER CALLING: "I can't predict the future," writes 2U CEO Chip Paucek, "but my bet is that many of the innovations and changes we've witnessed this year will stick around." And as learners seek opportunities to reskill for new jobs, colleges will play a more important role than ever. "I see higher education as more resilient, adaptable, and innovative than people tend to give it credit for." The following is a message from our sponsor New webinar from Epic Games Want to create opportunities for all students to have deeper and more meaningful learning experiences? Watch this free webinar 'Innovating in the Classroom with Interactive 3D Tools'. Register now to learn how to bring interactive 3D to core subjects and explore strategies for leveraging real-time technology like Epic Games' Unreal Engine as a tool for teaching and learning. 🏆 MOST POPULAR   It's been a wild 365 days. Let's take a look back at our most popular higher ed stories of 2020, shall we? You won't be surprised to learn that pandemic pieces pushed their way to the top, but that's not all that caught your attention this year.  🎧 ON THE PODCAST   LONG LIFE LEARNING: The disruptions in the job market caused by COVID-19 mean colleges and employers will need to rethink the relationship between the workplace and the classroom. That's according to Michelle Weise, who's currently a senior advisor at Imaginable Futures. She makes the case in her new book, Long Life Learning. We talked with her about the highlights. 📈 STAT-O-MATIC 91 percent The share of college counseling center directors and clinicians who report having experienced burnout during the 2020 fall semester due to COVID-19, according to a survey of care providers at 120 colleges conducted by Mantra Health. The study explains that these care providers are at risk of developing their own mental health concerns, and that as a result college counseling centers may experience increased staff turnover.  📣 SPOKEN WORD   "It actually gives us the space to dream with action in mind. ... To not just dream."   —Octavia Lawrence, associate dean of student services at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, which received a donation of $15 million from billionaire MacKenzie Scott. (The Chronicle of Higher Education) 💼 BYTE-SIZED BRIEFS   More information is available about which college majors pay off, but students aren't using it. (Washington Post)   CUNY is paying $2 million for anti-plagiarism software after firing professors and staff. (Vice)    Student transfers fell steeply this year as colleges dealt with other enrollment challenges. (Inside Higher Ed) Looking for a job in edtech? You've come to the right place. EdSurge has the leading edtech jobs board in the industry with openings from schools, nonprofits and companies.   Post a job | See all jobs Assistant Director, Center for Public University Transformation | Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is seeking an Assistant Director for the Center for Public University Transformation (CPUT), which aims to advance student success, equity, and university transformation. Product Management • Non Profit • Washington D.C. or Remote   Chief Information Officer | Mary Institute and Country Day School MICDS seeks a chief information officer, starting July 1, 2021, to oversee all areas of technology: strategy, infrastructure, data and web applications, support services, and instructional technology. C-Level Executive Leadership • School • St. Louis, MO   The Edward John Noble Foundation Deputy Director for Learning and Audience Engagement | DRG The DDLAE will lead and oversee the design of bold and inspired educational strategy, programming, and community building experiences across the Museum that align with and amplify MoMA's global mission as a leader in connecting audiences with art. C-Level Executive Leadership • Non Profit • New York, NY   Instructional Technology Trainer | Digital Promise The Instructional Technology Trainer will be responsible for delivering high-quality live and recorded professional development for teachers, coaches and leaders within the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. Customer Implementation / Customer Success • Non Profit • Remote   Research Project Manager - Education Practice | Christensen Institute The Christensen Institute seeks a highly motivated individual to join the Social Capital R&D Project team immediately, providing essential project management, research assistance, and writing support to the project's co-directors. Research • Non Profit • Lexington, MA or Remote   Director, Learning Futures Initiatives | Arizona State University The Learning Futures Collaboratory at Arizona State University is seeking a Director of Learning Futures Initiatives. Higher Ed Admin Operations • School • Tempe, AZ   Events Post an event • See all events and meetups   Learning and the Brain 59: Teaching Purposeful Minds This virtual conference will explore the importance of purpose, connections (including love and belonging), and curiosity and exploration, and how they can help support learning, coping, and personal growth. Apr 17-18 • Online • More than $250  THANKS FOR READING   ➔ Got any feedback? We love hearing from readers. Shoot us a note, critiques, a joke—whatever you've got! ➔ Interested in reaching our readers? Sponsor this newsletter. ➔ Event planners: Feature your in-person or virtual event on our calendar & newsletters. EdSurge covers and connects the people, ideas and technologies that shape the future of learning. We are an independent news and research initiative of the International Society for Technology in Education. International Society for Technology in Education, 621 SW Morrison Street, Suite 800, Portland, Oregon 97205, USA, 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 503.342.2848 (Int'l) Unsubscribe Manage preferences