Juuso Henrik Nieminen’s Post

To what extent do my assessment practices permit for, value, and let shine the diversity of learners? This study is great food for thought and a wonderful contribution to assessment and inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility (IDEA) scholarship.

Quote from article below "We argue that if educational institutions are to ‘value’ or ‘celebrate’ student diversity, the fundamental premises of assessment standardisation must be critically examined. The clash of assessment standardisation and student diversity is not something abstract and theoretical but something real and lived. Our findings have shown that, ultimately, it is students who suffer the consequences of the discursive tensions between assessment standardisation and student diversity. While this is the case for all students, the social consequences of assessment standardisation might be more crucial for those who do not fit the ‘norm’ set by assessment, such as disabled students in our case. This reminds us about the ethical imperative of considering the normalising effects of assessment standardisation, particularly when it comes to complex tasks that in theory should allow students to make use of their diverse and intersecting identities in assessment." Nieminen, J. H., Dollinger, M., & Finneran, R. (2024). ‘There was very little room for me to be me’: the lived tensions between assessment standardisation and student diversity. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1–15. https://lnkd.in/gYQXUEnK

Pretty amazing that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) tentatively gave the 'green light' for institutions to begin offering/exploring 3-year undergraduate degree programs. We've spent years lamenting the resistance to innovation (real or perceived) from accrediting agencies. But there are two things to consider: 1) Accrediting agencies are mainly staffed by volunteers from higher education institutions, and 2) Behind every organization, there exists a decision-maker. Finding who that person is and what influences their decision is the key. This could be the beginning of a massive reimagining of higher education. However, the culture of higher education is a powerful force, and the enemy is often within.

The Journey to Higher Education: What to Expect The Journey to Higher Education: What to Expect Embarking on the path to higher education marks a significant chapter in an individual’s life, filled with opportunities for personal and academic growth. This journey involves not just a transition in academic settings, but also a transformation in one’s approach to learning, social interactions, and future aspirations. As students prepare for this experience, understanding what lies ahead can help ease the transition and set the stage for success. Understanding Academic Demands One of the most noticeable changes in higher education is the shift... > Readmore https://lnkd.in/eDEpetqs

I am delighted to share that our article, "Student Satisfaction and University Enrollments: Does the Urban or Regional Status of Australian Higher Education Institutions Matter?" has been published in the American Business Review (ABDC A-ranked journal). This research was made possible through the incredible collaboration with co-authors Dr Kumar Biswas, Sudipta Bose, PhD (UNSW), MBA, BBA (Hons), CA (CAANZ), FCMA, Christopher Dann, and Associate Professor Alice Brown. I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr Kumar Biswas for his leadership in keeping the momentum going to bring this article to publication, and to my wonderful colleagues Alice Brown and Chris Dann from the School of Education, UniSQ, for their invaluable insights and expertise in innovative pedagogy theories. Collaborating with this talented, multidisciplinary team has been a true pleasure! Special thanks also to Professor Subroto Roy, editor of the journal, for the opportunity to publish in this renowned journal, and to the anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful feedback, which greatly strengthened our work. Summary of Our Research: In the post-WWII era, publicly funded higher education catalyzed rapid growth in university enrollments across Western nations, particularly in business schools. This expansion has led institutions to reassess the vital role of student satisfaction in academic success and institutional reputation. Although student satisfaction’s effect on engagement is well known, its impact on enrollment rates is less explored. Our study, using longitudinal data from the Australian Government’s Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) and universities' annual reports (2012-2017), reveals that higher student satisfaction is strongly associated with increased enrollment rates—an effect even more pronounced in metropolitan universities. Beyond theoretical insights, our findings offer actionable strategies for policymakers and higher education leaders to enhance equitable access and address social disparities. #HigherEducation #StudentSatisfaction #UniversityEnrollment #Research #EducationPolicy #SocialJustice #QILT #HigherEdResearch

The expectations of ‘Generation Z’ of higher education are not limited to the digital world. A better understanding of the diverse student body in a particular higher education context is needed to support the development of inclusive practice. #EduSci http://ow.ly/5C6K30sHRv9

Making Higher Education Accessible: The Case for Free College Applications Making Higher Education Accessible: The Case for Free College Applications In today's educational landscape, the pursuit of higher education remains an essential milestone for many individuals seeking personal and professional growth. However, the cost associated with applying to colleges and universities can serve as a significant barrier for countless students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. The case for making college applications free is increasingly compelling, as it promises to enhance accessibility, diversity, and overall equity within higher education. Financial Bar... > Readmore https://lnkd.in/ei2THNa3

🌍 Higher Education at a Crossroads? Here are a few headlines in the last 48 hours concerning Higher Ed.... 1️⃣ Declining Enrollment: Freshman enrollment is down 5% in U.S. colleges, driven by FAFSA challenges and declining public confidence (only 36% express confidence in higher ed vs. 57% a decade ago). 2️⃣ Financial Pressures: Rising costs are driving university dropouts...and it's not isolated to tuition. Factors like cost of living, housing, food, transportation, etc are impacting learners ability to go to school. 3️⃣ International Recruitment Struggles: European business schools face declining non-EU applications, threatening campus diversity and enrollments. 4️⃣ Student Dissatisfaction: Overcrowded lectures and limited access to tutors at top universities like Edinburgh have led to plummeting satisfaction rates. 🎯 Takeaway: The higher ed landscape is evolving rapidly. Institutions must focus on adaptability, financial accessibility, and learner-centered innovation to thrive in this next phase of education. The old way isn't going to work anymore and it's time to usher in a new era of access and affordability. 💬 What’s your top priority for the 2025 Academic school year? Thoughts on the future of education? DM me and let’s discuss! #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #FutureOfLearning #EdTech

Nearly 80 percent of CIC institutions report some kind of graduate-level offerings. To better understand the changing landscape and needs related to graduate education, CIC initiated a study that surveyed presidents and chief academic officers at member institutions. Support for making this study available for free was provided by EducationDynamics.     An executive summary of the report, Understanding the Landscape of Graduate Programs: A Study of Independent Colleges and Universities, is now available for download on the CIC website:  https://lnkd.in/euPY8g7q  

In 2022, Wendy Fischman and Howard Gardner released “The Real World of College: What Higher Education Is and What It Can Be.” Two years later, Fischman, Gardner, and graduate assistant Kate Abramowitz reflect on their findings and continue their work to help higher education regain lost ground. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eJsSzayE