Opportunities and Challenges of Digitalization …
347
2.3 Limits and Challenges of Digitalization
It is in the nature of things, that complex innovations such as digital transformation are associated with some disadvantages and challenges. One major challenge is,
that the various degree programs of different universities are each very specific, are
based on different contents and follow different approaches. Taking differentiation
into account, custom made structures have to be developed, digital teaching has to
be integrated properly and course contents have to be linked to aspects of sustainable
development. The concept of lifelong learning brings another challenge with regards
the demographic aspect. Future learners will be a very diverse and heterogenic group,
with different aspirations and user behaviors. The challenge is to take all these different factors into account, while providing efficient digital learning solutions. At
a more basic level, not everyone has access to digital media or continuous internet
connection. The mobile phone (smartphone), which has become one of the primary
media in the world (eMarketer 2016) could be the key to spread ESD. The challenge
is to create content that is compatible and also accessible offline.
Furthermore, higher education institutions are facing some general challenges,
which digital transformation might assist them to cope with:
– Large numbers of students: Between 2000 and 2014 the total number of students
in the world more than doubled from 100 to 207 million (UNESCO 2017). This
increase in participation in higher education is explicitly demanded in the SDGs,
but since universities are run on a tight budget, the quality of education may suffer.
– Diversity of students: The diversity of the students’ lifestyles increased over the
past few decades (Berthold et al. 2012). Many students have to work, even if
part-time or as student assistants, sometimes have a family to support or may be
involved in a traineeship. The demand for flexible higher education models is
therefore increasing.
– Dropout rates: Besides family challenges and financial difficulties, the most common reason for quitting higher education is motivation issues or unsatisfying living
conditions. This points towards the high demand for flexible and personalized education (HIS 2010).
– Internationalization: International cooperation and collaboration between universities are more and more common, as well as increased diversity in the different
national backgrounds of students (Blight et al. 2003), which lead to challenges in
their own right.
3 The Virtual Academy of Sustainability at the University
of Bremen
As demonstrated, the usage of digital media can provide an opportunity to integrate
both ESD and the SDGs in the curricula of higher education institutions in an effective, efficient, innovative and future-oriented way. The case study in this chapter deals
347
2.3 Limits and Challenges of Digitalization
It is in the nature of things, that complex innovations such as digital transformation are associated with some disadvantages and challenges. One major challenge is,
that the various degree programs of different universities are each very specific, are
based on different contents and follow different approaches. Taking differentiation
into account, custom made structures have to be developed, digital teaching has to
be integrated properly and course contents have to be linked to aspects of sustainable
development. The concept of lifelong learning brings another challenge with regards
the demographic aspect. Future learners will be a very diverse and heterogenic group,
with different aspirations and user behaviors. The challenge is to take all these different factors into account, while providing efficient digital learning solutions. At
a more basic level, not everyone has access to digital media or continuous internet
connection. The mobile phone (smartphone), which has become one of the primary
media in the world (eMarketer 2016) could be the key to spread ESD. The challenge
is to create content that is compatible and also accessible offline.
Furthermore, higher education institutions are facing some general challenges,
which digital transformation might assist them to cope with:
– Large numbers of students: Between 2000 and 2014 the total number of students
in the world more than doubled from 100 to 207 million (UNESCO 2017). This
increase in participation in higher education is explicitly demanded in the SDGs,
but since universities are run on a tight budget, the quality of education may suffer.
– Diversity of students: The diversity of the students’ lifestyles increased over the
past few decades (Berthold et al. 2012). Many students have to work, even if
part-time or as student assistants, sometimes have a family to support or may be
involved in a traineeship. The demand for flexible higher education models is
therefore increasing.
– Dropout rates: Besides family challenges and financial difficulties, the most common reason for quitting higher education is motivation issues or unsatisfying living
conditions. This points towards the high demand for flexible and personalized education (HIS 2010).
– Internationalization: International cooperation and collaboration between universities are more and more common, as well as increased diversity in the different
national backgrounds of students (Blight et al. 2003), which lead to challenges in
their own right.
3 The Virtual Academy of Sustainability at the University
of Bremen
As demonstrated, the usage of digital media can provide an opportunity to integrate
both ESD and the SDGs in the curricula of higher education institutions in an effective, efficient, innovative and future-oriented way. The case study in this chapter deals