To say that the world of Higher Ed has changed over the past couple of years would be an understatement.
The good news is that we have returned to relative normalcy and students are back in the classroom the same way they were before the pandemic.
However, that doesn’t mean that Higher Ed institutions should go back to using the same tactics and technology that they were using in 2019.
College students today have higher expectations in terms of communication, messaging, and experience and are holding schools accountable. The institutions that succeed will be the ones that meet these evolving standards and are leveraging all of the tools available to them in order to do that.
Here’s a glimpse into the future of higher ed software and what you need to know about it.
The Future of Higher Ed Software
AI and Automated Higher Ed Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) used to seem like the next-gen technology of the future. However, AI is already being used increasingly in many industries, including Higher Ed, to increase the speed, accuracy, and efficiency with which we work.
As mentioned in Forbes, “College leaders have learned that AI can do more than merely churn out routine prompts and generate helpful tips. They’re starting to use the technology to address some of their largest and most persistent challenges - including such bottom-line issues as increasing enrollment, improving student retention, and allocating financial aid.”
For example, workflow automation is a powerful tool that helps Higher Ed professionals accomplish their tasks faster and with greater intentionality. When it comes to sending emails and SMS texts, creating chatbots, setting up internal alerts and reminders, and updating contact records, workflows can automate each step of the process to take out the guesswork.
The best part about this level of automation is that, even though you are leveraging AI, you’re actually creating better human connections and more powerful student experiences.
Institutions that are embracing these digital transformations are able to spend less time with repetitive, error-prone tasks and free up more opportunities to work on high-impact projects that support the bottom line.
Better College Student Experiences
Many students are dropping out of college, partly because they’re underwhelmed with the experience and they’re uncertain about the value of a degree.
To put it simply, students today have higher expectations than ever for the student experience, yet many schools have not kept up with them.
The schools that succeed in the future will be ones that are constantly looking for ways to provide a better experience, and it starts with how you market to prospective students. With every interaction, you want your students and prospects to think of your school in a positive, valuable, and inspiring way.
As we outlined in the previous section, technology like AI and workflow automation are great tools for creating those types of experiences.
Are You Providing a Stale Student Experience? Here’s How to Tell.
Virtual Reality and the Metaverse
Did you know that 88% of Gen Z is already playing video games that take them to a virtual world?
And, in 2021, the worldwide market for VR headsets grew 92.1% year-over-year with shipments reaching 11.2 million units, according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC).
What does this mean?
If you’re on the fence about VR and the Metaverse, you shouldn’t be—because your audience is already there.
It’s time to meet your students in the Metaverse. And if you are still exploring your options when it comes to virtual reality, you can check out these 3 Reasons Why Higher Ed Needs to Build a Presence in the Metaverse.
Higher Ed Software in 2023 and Beyond
Somehow, there is often this expectation among many Higher Ed professionals that their software and the tools they use are just “good enough.”
It’s time to reframe that mindset. Don’t settle for less—instead of saying things like “Sure, these tools work well enough” or “This is pretty good for Higher Ed,” you should be able to say things like, “Our software is excellent. Period.”
If you want to get a better idea of how the right tools can help you create incredible student experiences, download our guide: A Higher Ed Roadmap to Effective Student Lifecycle Management.
