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\n Published: 4\/1\/2024\n <\/p>\n
Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Emails, texts, social media, oh my \u2015 distractions, distractions. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)<\/a>, 65% of students said they get distracted by digital devices, while 59% get distracted by other students using devices.<\/p>\n No matter how you teach, whether online, in-person or hybrid, as an instructor, you want to engage<\/a> students in your courses and ensure they fully understand (and enjoy) the subject matter. But how do you do that when it feels like you\u2019re vying for their attention? We have a few tricks up our sleeves.<\/p>\n Try these current higher ed trends in your courses.<\/p>\n Gamification isn\u2019t a new concept, but continues to be a high motivator for students. A study on Science Direct<\/a> shows that gamification can boost performance by at least 89% when compared to the standard lecture-based format.<\/p>\n As an instructor, you can incorporate gamification in a variety of ways \u2014 across disciplines \u2014 as much or as little as you want. Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n In our 2023 Empowered Educator online conference, \u201cEmbracing a New College Classroom<\/a>,\u201d Associate Professor Lisa Heller Boragine shared her research on game-based learning and discussed creating escape rooms<\/a> to build student engagement. You can watch the recorded session here<\/a> to learn how to add gamification, including escape rooms, to your course.<\/p>\n Live Virtual Machine Labs (VMLs) within MindTap<\/a> gamify IT education by providing a challenging, interactive, and results-oriented learning environment that mirrors the engaging aspects of video games.<\/p>\n Thanks to a partnership with MobLab<\/a>, an incredible suite of engaging Economics experiments and games can be easily assigned and accessed from within MindTap. These activities are designed to help students explore complex Economics concepts \u2014 from interest rates to price discrimination \u2014 while enhancing critical-thinking and decision-making skills. Best of all, they can be played in a matter of minutes!<\/p>\n Accredible<\/a>, a digital credentialing platform, defines microcredentials as \u201ca framework for delivering competency-based qualifications that are shorter than a comprehensive certification.\u201d Through microcredentialing, learners can earn digital badges or digital certificates to verify and showcase their proficiency in specific skills and subject areas.<\/p>\n In fact, we recently partnered with Accredible for Computing courses<\/a>, so students can earn digital badges<\/a> in MindTap and share their achievements with potential employers.<\/p>\n You might be wondering, do microcredentials motivate students? A Coursera study<\/a> shows, \u201cstudents are 76% more likely to enroll in an academic program that offers micro-credentials.\u201d As student needs and employer expectations shift, many colleges and universities are embracing microcredentials to boost enrollment, especially for students looking for workforce training or upskilling.<\/p>\n College students aren\u2019t confident they have the skills they need to succeed as an employee. Our guide, \u201cAre Students Career Ready<\/a>?,\u201d notes that 39% of graduates \u201cfeel college didn\u2019t prepare them for the working world,\u201d and 51% of employees say higher ed institutions \u201cneed to do more to address the skills shortage.\u201d<\/p>\n But how can students really understand what it\u2019s like to do a job, without being immersed in the work environment? Faculty can adopt interactive tools and simulation software that allow students to complete tasks like they would in the workplace. Moreover, these types of tools help students stay engaged and retain information. An AACSB article<\/a> states that using engaging simulations is \u201cone of the best ways for students to gain practice.\u201d<\/p>\n These are just some of our tools to consider:<\/p>\n As employer demands, student learning needs<\/a> and the overall higher education realm continue to shift, new learning innovations and higher ed trends<\/a> may come and go. However, one thing remains consistent. You, as an instructor, are the most important component in making your students\u2019 education memorable and meaningful.<\/p>\n To prove it, students have shared their thoughts on the instructors who taught their favorite classes, and motivated and inspired them most.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
Gamification<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Microcredentials and digital badges<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Experiential learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Higher ed trends ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n