The smart campus...
"The pandemic changed the whole concept of the campus. From being a physical hub for staff and students, the campus is becoming more of a platform for extending teaching and learning. As a consequence, the importance of data analytics to enhance the learner experience is increasing," writes James Clay, Head of Higher Education and Student Experience for JISC.
An intelligent campus uses live data from a range of sources to enhance the student and staff experience on a day-to-day basis (and over the longer term). For example, a student can use an app to discover that the library is very busy. But the app also informs the student that the noise levels in a coffee shop are low, making this space viable for study.
Machine learning can also be added to the data analysis to provide deeper insights.
An intelligent timetabling system could start to reflect on the sort of activity likely during a particular study module so it could be shifted to an optimal room rather than sticking rigidly to the same space
By analysing when and how rooms are used, organisations could make smarter, more effective use of learning spaces and other facilities across campus and improve curriculum design and delivery.
More pressure on FE colleges (the closed campus)
This week, the news provided more evidence of FE Colleges' financial stress.
The Sheffield College is planning to close its Peaks campus to cut costs, reports FE Week. The College’s principal, Angela Foulkes, said the campus was underutilised and costly to maintain and run. The College says that the majority of courses delivered at the Peaks campus will be moved to its city centre site.
Peaks campus is located in the southeast fringe of the city, around 30 minutes tram ride from the alternative central site.
However, Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has written to the college urging a rethink and stating, "The Peaks Campus represents the only dedicated site in the area for people to pursue further education and therefore is very important for my constituents, particularly those with children and special needs who then do not have to travel large distances for their education."
Betts added, " I think it is important to also acknowledge that one of the chief reasons for the fall in numbers in attending the Peaks site in recent years was Sheffield College's decision to close the sixth form there. This was a regrettable decision that I feel has contributed to the current predicament."
Whilst Betts' comments might be true, and there are always some downsides to any site closure, the college must live in the present tight funding environment. The relatively good connection (by modern electric public transport) to a larger and more popular central site meant that such a decision was always likely.
Meanwhile, Bradford College faces six weeks of staff strikes after rejecting a 4.3% pay increase offer and demanding a 10% increase. Officials of the University and College Union (UCU) claim that some members of staff can no longer afford to drive to work or have been skipping meals to make ends meet. The college, which has suffered from precarious finances in recent years, said that the pay demand was "in no way financially viable" and that it must ensure its own financial sustainability.
Thought for Friday...
Have a nice weekend!