Online and Professional Continuing Education News
See below for a listing of curated news articles of the day brought to you by Ray Schroeder, Senior Fellow at UPCEA.
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- The learning organization: How to accelerate AI adoption - Bob Sternfels and Yuval Atsmon, McKinseyThe rapid rise of gen AI highlights a workplace reality: Front lines often embrace new tech much faster than managers do. Here’s how to overcome organizational blocks to transformative ideas. The dizzying speed at which AI technology is evolving makes it nearly impossible to keep up with the many new ways that it could transform […]
- Americans Recognize Nuances of Higher Ed’s Value - Kathryn Palmer, Inside Higher EdNew data shows that confidence in higher education is on the rise and most Americans, regardless of party affiliation, share a similar vision for what colleges should prioritize. A group of university students are seen from behind walking outside on campus as they make their way to class. Most Democrats and Republicans believe higher ed […]
- States, nonprofits look to capture quality of non-degree credentials - Alcino Donadel, University BusinessAs states cash in on the potential of non-degree credentials to become a more significant engine for economic mobility, new frameworks are emerging to ensure these innovative programs pass muster. There are over one million credentials offered in the U.S., 60% of which come in the form of badges, licenses, certifications and apprenticeships, according to […]
- How higher education is coping with surging budget deficits - Alcino Donadel, University BusinessBudget cuts—followed by tuition increases and staff layoffs—at Duke, Cornell, Johns Hopkins and Harvard universities midway through the spring semester sent shockwaves through the higher education community as the sector copes with challenging deficits. Their struggles proved to be the canary in the coal mine for further announcements from more than a dozen colleges and […]
- Mapping the AI economy: Which regions are ready for the next technology leap - Mark Muro and Shriya Methkupally, BrookingsArtificial intelligence is transforming the U.S. economy, yet regional disparities in talent development, research capacity, and enterprise adoption are stark, and not yet fully understood. AI activity remains highly concentrated, with the Bay Area alone accounting for 13% of all AI-related job postings. However, the recent boom in generative AI and agentic systems is beginning […]
- The Impact of ChatGPT on Students' Academic Achievement: A Meta-Analysis - Zhiwei Liu, Haode Zuo, Yongjing Lu; JCALThe findings reveal that ChatGPT has a moderately positive impact on students' academic achievement, with an overall effect size of g = 0.577 (95% CI [0.395, 0.759], p
- AI is helping students be more independent, but the isolation could be career poison - Tara García Mathewson, CalMattersStudents don’t have the same incentives to talk to their professors — or even their classmates — anymore. Chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude have given them a new path to self-sufficiency. Instead of asking a professor for help on a paper topic, students can go to a chatbot. Instead of forming a study group, […]
- Being a high-performer CEO isn’t enough. True leadership involves empathy - Fast CompanyIn this landscape, CEOs are increasingly being measured by their ability to generate financial returns. But true leadership requires hitting more than financial targets. The most effective leaders understand that long-term success depends on balancing financial acumen with empathetic leadership. Those who fail to adapt risk becoming transactional managers rather than transformational leaders. Understanding this […]
- I tried a ‘mindful browser’ that promises to help reduce stress—here’s why I’ll keep using it - Renée Onque, CNBCBusy work days are often stressful and exhausting, especially when you’re sitting at your laptop for hours at a time. So when I came across a new browser created to help reduce stress, I was pretty intrigued. The creators of the Opera Browser, founded in the 90s, developed a new “mindful browser” called Opera Air […]
- 5 ways to better prepare students for a changing job market - Alcino Donadel, University BusinessToday’s employers are no longer relying solely on a bachelor’s degree to gauge a candidate’s full potential. Instead, they prioritize applicants who can demonstrate up-to-date skills and prove they’re ready to contribute from day one. Kropp believes that micro-credentials and digital badges demonstrate students’ mastery over specific skill sets and can be easily communicated via […]
- NotebookLM now lets you chat with expert guides from top publishers, and Shakespeare - here's how - Web Wright, ZDnetGoogle announced Monday that it is expanding the repertoire of NotebookLM, its AI-powered note-taking and research platform, to include the works of some prominent publishing names. The company is collaborating with a cohort of scientists, nonprofits, authors, and news publishers to deliver a series of featured notebooks for NotebookLM users. These notebooks cover subjects like […]
- AI is rewiring how we learn, and it’s a game-changer for L&D - Josh Bersin, Chief Learning OfficerAs AI becomes central to learner engagement, L&D leaders are being urged to fundamentally rethink corporate training, says global industry analyst Josh Bersin. Put simply: there’s no turning back. L&D remains a major global industry—set to surpass $400 billion this year—and for good reason. Training will always play a vital role in helping employees gain […]
- Artificial Intelligence and Critical Thinking in Higher Education: Fostering a Transformative Learning Experience for Students - Tina M. Evans, Faculty FocusIn a digitally-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the latest technology that either will save or doom the planet depending on who you speak with. Remember when telephones (the ones that hung on the wall) were dubbed as privacy invaders? Even the radio, television, and VHS tapes were feared at the beginning of their […]
- Looking ahead at distance learning, AI - Fred Lokken, CC DailyCommunity college presidents and senior leadership recently gathered for a deep dive into two hot-button issues for two-year colleges — the future of distance learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Online classes have been disrupting enrollments for more than 25 years and continue to be the primary source for enrollment growth. This modality of instruction offers […]
- Micro-credentials grow more popular in the U.S. and beyond - Alcino Donadel, University BusinessAppetite for industry-aligned micro-credentials—among learners entering the workforce and employers seeking skilled candidates—is nearly universal, according to a new report from Coursera. The online academic program provider surveyed over 1,000 employers and learners, capturing perspectives across six regions and 10 countries. Globally, more than 90% of employers say that their employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher […]
- Think Your Student Can Pass an AI Literacy Test? A Concerning New Study Says Otherwise - Tim McMillan, the DebriefIn an era where artificial intelligence tools are becoming as common in classrooms as textbooks, a new study suggests most students don’t actually know how to use them well. Despite the widespread adoption of generative AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, researchers have found that university students overestimate their ability to engage with these […]
- Teaching Creativity and Durable Skills in an AI World - Abbie Misha, EdSurgeWhen a high school student uses AI to design a community mural or a college freshman collaborates with peers across continents on a digital storytelling project, it’s clear the boundaries of learning are shifting. Classrooms are no longer just spaces for absorbing information; they’re becoming creative studios where students use technology to solve real-world problems. https://www.edsurge.com/news/2025-07-14-teaching-creativity-and-durable-skills-in-an-ai-world
- Celebrating a century of quantum breakthroughs - McKinsey2025 marks the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and the 100th anniversary of the initial development of quantum mechanics. Quantum technology (QT) is moving beyond the lab and gaining momentum by converging with other innovation frontiers. In McKinsey’s fourth annual Quantum Technology Monitor, McKinsey’s Henning Soller and coauthors explore how QT is evolving […]
- Free Online IT Courses for Students - Academia MagIn today’s fast-paced digital world, Information Technology (IT) skills are in high demand. From cybersecurity to web development and data science, employers are constantly looking for individuals with a strong IT background. Fortunately, students no longer need to spend a fortune to gain these valuable skills. There are numerous free online IT courses for students […]
- Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic are investing millions to train teachers how to use AI - Clare Duffy, CNNThe announcement comes as schools, teachers and parents grapple with whether and how AI should be used in the classroom. Educators want to make sure students know how to use a technology that's already transforming workplaces, while teachers can use AI to automate some tasks and spend more time engaging with students. But AI also […]
Other Curated News:
News from UPCEA:
UPCEA Joins Multiple Distance Ed Orgs to Offer State Authorization Comments
UPCEA co-signed, with a coalition of other organizations with a direct interest in distance education, a letter commenting on the Department of Education’s proposed regulations on state authorization. UPCEA joined along with five other non-profit organizations garnering a collective total of more than 1,000 institutions…
Millennial demand drives higher ed badging expansion (University Business)
“Almost all U.S. colleges and universities now award certificates, digital badges and other forms of microcredentials so students can quickly show an employer specialized skills they’ve acquired. Driving this fast-growing trend are workforce millennials who want to learn, for instance, how to operate an Amazon…
7 new standards for excellent online learning leadership (eCampusNews)
“As online learning evolves from amateur experimentation to a mainstream professional entity on campus, new standards for quality online learning leadership are emerging in order to not only sustain these distance programs, but ensure they meet the growing demands of 21st-century academe. The UPCEA has…
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