Artificial Intelligence: Panacea for your Higher Education Woes
A prospective student, looking forward to major in English, calls the financial aid office of her dream college. After two rings, an automated voice asks her what does she need help with. On her inquisitiveness about the financial aid procedure, the voice on the other end runs her through the nuances of the process in a systematic manner. Despite the student’s repeated queries regarding the same thing, there is no sign of tiredness or irritation in the voice. The student, eventually, hangs up satisfied and pleased with the agent’s efficiency.
Imagine the same happening during the peak season in colleges. The number of dissatisfied prospective and returning students is minimal, the enrollment rate of the institutions is increased, the frequency of human errors is reduced, the operations department functions with consistent efficiency day and night without getting exhausted or bored.
Sounds impossible? Well, it is not because there is no human agency involved! As you must have guessed, we mean artificial intelligence.
Endless possibilities AI opens up for various stakeholders:
For learners and teachers: To name a few, AI-powered systems are capable of complementing in-class teaching, creating customized content, providing personalized, supplemental guidance to students, assisting teachers through intelligent moderation, improving course quality, providing intelligent tutoring systems to support the learners.
For the institutions, AI resolves the short staffing issues, increases the enrollment rates by answering students’ queries deftly, assists with student retention by identifying and providing necessary help to at-risk students. Besides the one-time implementation costs, AI proves to be quite cost-efficient for the user-institutions. It works 24 hours, does repetitive and time-consuming tasks without losing efficiency.
The possibilities AI represents are, literally, endless. (Click to Tweet)
What does Artificial Intelligence mean in higher education space?
AI doesn’t aim to replace human resources entirely but to make them more efficient. In the higher education industry, the vision is not to totally do away with the traditional teaching or learning methods but to make the whole experience more effective, accessible, and affordable.
How does it work?
Artificial intelligence uses data mining techniques to identify critical patterns that can better a learner’s, teacher’s, or the institution’s staff’s experience. It can learn students’ habits and propose the most efficient study schedules for them. It helps teachers to find gaps in their teachings and point to where students are struggling with the subject matter. It empowers the institutions’ staff to improve student services, in turn, increasing enrollment and retention.
Just consider the radical transformation AI’s superhuman abilities would bring in the higher education landscape in the times to come! While AI might not be a panacea for all the higher education woes, it still makes the whole experience more immersive and engaging, doesn’t it?
Anthony Banford is an esteemed executive with 19 years of experience in technology, consulting, and education. He begins his latest chapter as Chief Revenue Officer at BlackBeltHelp, aiming to innovate in the higher education support industry. His move follows a successful stint as Head of Revenue at StudentBridge since March 2023, where he significantly contributed to the company’s merger with Full Measure Education, enhancing its service offerings.
Todd Hollrah joins BlackBeltHelp bringing 25+ years of experience managing service delivery operations for several Fortune 500 clients around the globe. After a distinguished career as an executive in the BPO industry, Todd will provide critical insight into building an exceptional customer experience combining both live voice and automated solutions.
Inspired by a family computer that always needed fixing, Chris Uthe has submerged himself in business and technology for the last 20 years. His first company, a PC repair and networking business, was started at just 16 and successfully fueled a deep interest in solving problems as he helped business customers throughout his hometown adopt technology into their business. He would go on to successfully run a media & managed IT company before joining the Ed Tech industry with a successful 13-year tenure within an ERP/SIS company leading the Student Portal & Learning Management division. His last startup, EdSolio, helped to fuel the winds of competency-based education by providing a comprehensive view of a student’s work and achievements. Chris is now focused on creating successful learners by ensuring the highest quality help and support through the use of AI backed toolsets spending the last 3 years in the student engagement and support markets.
Quaiser Absar is the Chief Technology Officer and Director of Institutional Computing at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.
Bringing in over 2 decades of experience with him, Manish has ensured seamless operations in terms of client delivery, reporting & analytics, quality, training, and transitions with a special focus on technical integrations to help reduce costs and improve the bottom-line.
Anthony has served higher education in diverse, leadership roles for over 30 years and has helped organizations thrive through his expertise in developing, analyzing, and executing growth strategies. Prior to joining BlackBeltHelp, he served in College Administration as well as in leadership roles within Blackboard Student Services and Ellucian, Inc.
Accomplished IT Specialist and Manager with extensive experience in a higher education setting and demonstrated abilities to effectively manage both student and professional staff. Self-motivated problem solver, who is skilled in managing many issues and prioritizing their importance to find resolutions in a timely and effective manner. Possesses strong abilities to adapt to new technologies by extrapolating from existing experience. Possess first-rate communication and collaboration skills to work with diverse groups effectively.
Lila Buytendorp has been serving as the Director of User Services at Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) since 2000. In this role she is responsible for staff & lab desktop computing and end user support. She guides and supports technology based on the curriculum needs and ensures technology is implemented to support the emerging needs of the college. She builds and supports integrated systems to improve efficiencies and uses technologies to support data-driven decision making. Lila is a member of the Capital Projects Planning and Design Committee to ensure new or remodeled facilities have appropriate technology.