Online: Trending Now

Unique biweekly insights and news review from Ray Schroeder, Senior Fellow at UPCEA.

The Blockchain Future of Higher Ed

September 23, 2020

The pressure is on to provide a mechanism to enable students to control their own record of lifelong learning that recognizes both in-class and real-world experiences. As higher education slowly adapts to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), spurred by the COVID crisis, students and industry are recognizing the need for a technologically supported way to…

Hands-on Classes at a Distance and the Emerging Virtual Future

September 11, 2020

The rush to remote learning this year has prompted concern and a flurry of work-arounds to meet the needs of hands-on classes and curricula. As much of the curriculum has moved online, faculty members and instructional designers have adapted content delivery methods and modes to meet analogous learning outcomes through online media. This has required…

Thoughts on Creating an Inclusive Environment in Online Classes

September 3, 2020

In preparing for the fall term, most colleges and universities are responding to the renewed public consciousness about equality, inclusiveness and fairness for all students. As we reflect on American history and, in particular, the history of our institutions of higher education, we see that in so many conscious and unconscious ways we have failed…

Many Are Reacting, but Who Is Visioning the Future?

August 13, 2020

As we prepare for the fall term, most colleges and universities are reacting to the evolving pandemic, responding to changing conditions. But who is creating a vision for the future? These COVID-19 times are disrupting our lives, our work and our learning. They lead us into a transactional role in shifting circumstances. The pandemic takes…

Multiple Digital Learning Modes to Optimize Class

July 30, 2020

As many of us prepare for a digitally delivered fall term, we should consider the variety of options that can be employed in our classes, enabling flexibility and optimizing learning outcomes. These COVID-19 times are disrupting our lives, our work and our learning. They force us to find new ways to deliver our curriculum and…

Virtual Laboratories: Convergence of Learning and Career Practice

July 17, 2020

In the months of COVID-19 isolation, the gulf between college science labs and professional labs has narrowed; they both are converging in online practice. Academic virtual science labs have improved year by year as more and more learners seek to advance their education and careers through online learning. At the same time, professional laboratories have…

A man (Ray Schroeder) is dressed in a suit with a blue tie and wearing glasses.

Ray Schroeder is Professor Emeritus, Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Learning at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and Senior Fellow at UPCEA. Each year, Ray publishes and presents nationally on emerging topics in online and technology-enhanced learning. Ray’s social media publications daily reach more than 12,000 professionals. He is the inaugural recipient of the A. Frank Mayadas Online Leadership Award, recipient of the University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award, the United States Distance Learning Association Hall of Fame Award, and the American Journal of Distance Education/University of Wisconsin Wedemeyer Excellence in Distance Education Award 2016.