For those of you who couldn’t attend X4 in Salt Lake City this year, we have taken the learnings from that event and are coming to a city near you.
In July, we visited the Nation’s Capital to sit down with campus leaders and discuss how the “student” needs are evolving, and how we can listen more proactively. I was joined on a panel by a few of my favorite colleagues, Dr. Anne Kress, President, Northern Virginia Community College, Derrick Anderson, SVP Education Futures, American Council on Education, Amy Shioji, Chief Experience Officer, Strategic Education Inc., and Sarah Ball, AVP Learner Experience, National University, to discuss the current opportunities and challenges.
The panel was fire, so many deep insights from a variety of perspectives but ultimately focused on the heart of every institution, the learners. With that said, understanding the impact on staff and faculty, ensuring that both stay in the “happy path” with clear articulated expectations, and human centered feedback loop that informs policy and institutional change. While each institution is unique, there are overarching themes across the sector that connect the industry, but also the “haves and the have nots” that drives differentiated approaches. That said, the focus on personalization was evident, as each panelist shared how their organization or institution is driving to fit the need. Amy Shioji from Strategic Education Inc and Sarah Ball from National University, shared how they are using Qualtrics to scale personalized services, and meet individuals needs through listening capabilities and AI. Groundbreaking stuff!
Speaking of AI, the XM Live tour stopped in Atlanta to talk everything AI and Machine Learning. Once again, a decorated panel including Kim Lee, Director of Community Engagement at the American Council on Education, Joe Austin, Executive Director of Data and Information at Atlanta Public Schools, and Carlos Bortoni, VP K-12 Education Strategy at Qualtrics, tackled the opportunity and challenges that AI brings to our schools. With a P-20 lens, the panel zoomed in on keeping up with the evolving tech, and using it as a supplement to instruction. From an administration perspective, there are challenges for sure such as academic integrity concerns, holistic learning, and a few more, but the opportunities seemed to be the focus of the discussion. Whether personalized learning plans, curricular advancements or operational efficiencies, there was an eagerness to learn more and do more with AI. The session closed with a demonstration from Qualtrics focused on the Q version of education specific solutions grounded in AI models and machine learning. The future is here, and Qualtrics is providing every opportunity to stay current, and has committed $500 million to keep our partners ahead of the curve.
For those of you in the Northeast, we will be headed your way for XM Live New England. The invitation is open to come and participate in these education specific sessions, receive basecamp training, and network with other XM Evangelists in the EDU space. Can’t wait to see you there!
