It’s back-to-school time, and we have learned that virtual learning should not be a $25,000-per-year video streaming service. A decade after “massive open online courses,” or MOOCs — filmed lectures that can be watched from anywhere followed by participation in online discussion forums — were popularized, education technologies have improved dramatically. This generation of students expects continual innovation in education delivery.
Universities have been experimenting with how to bring the best of the physical classroom to a virtual one, while also making the most of the digital environment’s advantages. At Purdue University, where I serve as executive vice president for strategic initiatives and dean of the College of Engineering, online learning has been a key focus under President Mitch Daniels. For…