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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  • Khan Academy’s Framework for Responsible AI in Education - Khan Academy
    Khan Academy developed a framework for responsible AI in education following the launch of their AI learning tool, Khanmigo. This framework adapts principles from The Institute for Ethical AI in Education, focusing on using AI to achieve educational goals, improve assessments, increase efficiency, promote equity, empower learners, balance data privacy with utility, maintain transparency, foster […]
  • Consider this: Enhancing student success in a digital environment - Shirley Wilfong-Pritchard, the Quad (University of Alberta)
    When Alex Gainer decided to collaborate with the course design team in Online Learning and Continuing Education (OCE) to upgrade his online economics classes, he never anticipated the process would be so enjoyable or the results so impressive – so much so that it has received international recognition. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gainer […]
  • 3 takeaways on higher education innovation from the ASU+GSV Summit - Natalie Schwartz, Higher Ed Dive
    The higher education sector is facing an onslaught of challenges, including attacks from the Trump administration, fading public confidence and the demographic cliff. But higher education leaders didn’t shy away from these issues at the annual ASU+GSV Summit, an education and technology conference held this week in San Diego. “The moment is actually a productive […]
  • What Students Really Think of Technology and AI - EDUCAUSE
    This podcast discusses how students are integrating technology and AI into their education [00:06, 00:12]. Students utilize interactive platforms, like live quiz software, finding them engaging and effective for demonstrating learning compared to traditional methods [01:13, 01:46]. However, challenges arise from outdated systems and faculty lacking training [02:15], and even good platforms can be difficult […]
  • Want to learn how to make the best use of AI? OpenAI Academy offers free courses. Here are our top picks - Saloni Dhruv, GQIndia
    The conversations around artificial intelligence (AI) are growing in every shape, form and industry. According to Stanford University's latest Artificial Intelligence Index Report, AI is becoming deeply woven into our daily lives, from diagnosing diseases with AI-enabled medical devices to powering self-driving cars. The business world isn’t far behind either: 78 per cent of organisations […]
  • Kishwaukee College creates AI guidelines for use in higher education - Dekalb County Daily Chronicle
    “The AI Implementation Playbook is a responsive and evolving resource that reflects Kishwaukee College’s commitment to innovation and excellence in education,” Kishwaukee College president Laurie Borowicz said in a news release. “This plan is very adaptable and will be updated to address changes in technology and the needs of our students,” The college developed the […]
  • How gen AI can take customer [read that as students and prospective students] personalization to the next level - McKinsey
    The way customers interact with retailers and brands is evolving. To maintain an edge, companies should reevaluate their existing strategies and explore new avenues for growth. Consider, for instance, the transformative potential of personalization through gen AI. "To reach consumers where they are and how they want to be met, marketers can embrace two powerful […]
  • AI Passes the Turing Test: What this really means - Julia McCoy, YouTube
    This podcast discusses a significant development in artificial intelligence: AI passing the Turing test in a controlled scientific study for the first time [00:00]. The Turing test evaluates a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from a human's [01:30]. In this instance, the AI model GPT 4.5 successfully convinced human judges it was a […]
  • 11+ Real-World AI Agent Examples - Martina Bretous, HubSpot
    AI agents are like the backstage crew at the concerts we attend: Operating independently on the backend to deliver a smooth experience on the user end. They power many of the tech we use – and have for a while – but haven’t gotten that visibility until recently. In this article, we’ll break down real-world examples […]
  • ChatGPT became the most downloaded app globally in March - Sarah Perez, Tech Crunch
    ChatGPT became the world’s most downloaded app in March, excluding games, topping the usual contenders for the No. 1 spot, Instagram and TikTok. This is the first time the app has topped the monthly download charts and ChatGPT’s biggest month ever. According to new data, ChatGPT’s installs jumped 28% from February to March to reach […]
  • Northern Arizona University Profs Receive $5K Each to Study AI - Jesselle Ortegon, Arizona Daily Sun
    Select faculty members at NAU will use grant funding from the Transforming through Artificial Intelligence in Learning (TRAIL) program to study potential uses for AI in higher education and how students interact with it. The Transforming through Artificial Intelligence in Learning (TRAIL) program granted select faculty members at Northern Arizona University a reward of $5,000 […]
  • Morehouse College Unveils AI Teaching Assistants - Eric Glick, Ed Tech
    In what is being hailed as a significant technological leap forward, Morehouse College is offering 3D avatars that can stand in for teaching assistants. These humanlike figures can answer student questions 24 hours a day. The school, regarded as a higher education innovator in immersive learning, notes that the artificial intelligence-powered instructors are trained from […]
  • Google Issues Early AGI Warning " We Must Prepare Now," The AI Grid
    This YouTube video summarizes a Google paper emphasizing the urgent need to prepare for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) due to its potential risks and transformative impact. The paper defines AGI as AI matching or exceeding the capabilities of highly skilled humans in non-physical tasks [01:22] and suggests there are no fundamental blockers to achieving this […]
  • The Ripple Effects of Draining the Ph.D. Pool - Kathryn Palmer, Inside Higher Ed
    Deep cuts to federal research funding and crackdowns on international students could mean far fewer graduate students next fall and beyond. If that happens, undergraduates, faculty and research productivity would all suffer. Under mounting financial and political pressures, universities have paused or rescinded graduate student admissions on an unprecedented scale, which could create cross-campus ripple […]
  • How apprenticeships can broaden access to education and quality jobs - Marieke Vandeweyer and Vlasis Korovilos, OECD Ed Today
    In today’s economy, rapid changes such as the digital and green transition are creating a demand for specialised skills. But in many sectors, the demand for skills outpaces the supply of qualified professionals. This situation underscores the urgent need for accessible educational pathways – including in higher education. One promising option is the expansion of […]
  • The Disruptive Future of Society as AI Dominates the Workplace - Ray Schroeder, Inside Higher Ed
    Generative AI’s rapid evolution has generated fear and anxiety among some observers and enthusiasm among others. The enthusiasm is for the many ways in AI will improve the lives of people and other life on Earth. The fear is generated by the awesome power and influence this technology may have over our very existence as […]
  • These micro-credentials have taken over traditional degrees: Self-taught skills redefine learning in a digital age - Vera Emoghene, Rolling Out
    The classroom is no longer confined to brick-and-mortar walls. A do-it-yourself education boom has taken root, driven by YouTube tutorials, coding bootcamps, and micro-credentials. These tools, fueled by digital access and a hunger for practical skills, are challenging the dominance of traditional four-year degrees. With college costs soaring and job markets shifting, learners are turning […]
  • What is an AI agent? - McKinsey
    An AI agent is a software component that has the agency to act on behalf of a user or a system to perform tasks. Users can organize agents into systems that can orchestrate complex workflows, coordinate activities among multiple agents, apply logic to thorny problems, and evaluate answers to user queries. If you’ve ever interacted […]
  • Promoting AI-Enhanced Performance in the Online Classroom - Amy Winger, Faculty Focus
    One way that online instructors can use AI in the classroom is to become a digital master and use generative AI, such as ChatGPT, to develop deeper content ideas or analyze student contributions within discussion (Mora and Semingson 2023, 57). Such tailored discussions add depth and rigor to courses, captivating students and bringing forth relevant […]
  • Howard University Responds to Students' Demand for Digital Learning Modality - Christen Hill, Howard
    Howard University continues to demonstrate leadership in higher education innovation by expanding its digital learning infrastructure, responding to what research confirms is the fastest-growing sector in education. According to recent data published by Devlin Peck (2025), online learning has grown 900% since its creation in 2000, making it the fastest-growing market in the education industry. […]

Other Curated News: 

News from UPCEA: 

Collaboration Is Key to Successful Alternative Credential Creation

A tsunami of alternative credentials is emerging to meet the shifting learning needs of those in the workforce. Higher education is looking beyond the dwindling market of 18-year-olds to lifelong, professional and continuing ed to sustain enrollments. One million fewer students are enrolled in higher education…

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Department Begins Regulatory Re-write on Accountability Rules for Institutions, Secretary Cardona Makes Speech on Top Priorities | Policy Matters (January 2022)

Major Updates Biden-Harris Administration Takes Actions including $198M in Grants to Support Students’ Basic Needs and Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 at Colleges and Universities “The Department announced that it will be inviting applications next week for a $198 million grant opportunity under the Supplemental…

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UPCEA Announces Leadership Teams for New Council for Credential Innovation and Alternative Credentials Network

UPCEA welcomes 31 leaders in alternative credentials to volunteer roles WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 26, 2022) — UPCEA, the association for college and university leaders in online and professional continuing education, announced today the inaugural leadership team for the Council for Credential Innovation (CCI).  The Council…

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