New, Next or Never Normal? Figuring Out The Changing World of Further and Higher Education Report Published

Leading figures from across the UK education landscape have shared their experiences and insights into meeting the challenges of the global Covid-19 pandemic in a new report, ‘New, Next or Never Normal?’ published today (24 Jun).

The report reveals the initial findings from a series of online conferences held during May where education leaders shared responses, challenges and insights into managing through the Covid-19 crisis alongside thinking about scenario planning for 2021 and beyond.

The conference meetings were chaired by David Jones OBE who commented that the report ‘highlights the salient emerging themes as we all try to figure out how to reimagine education for the decade ahead’.

Co-author of the report, Jamie Smith, Executive Chairman of education technology specialist C-Learning said:

“The level of innovation that is taking place in education is unprecedented as the pandemic forced everyone to rethink how they live, work and learn in online spaces. The journey so far has revealed much to be excited about in regard to smarter ways of living but it has also revealed many challenges, such as digital poverty, equity and challenges around digital skills.

“These challenges have been around a long time, but the pandemic has amplified them. Our collective challenge, and opportunity now, is to address those challenges whilst keeping the things that made living, working and learning better. I believe there is no going back and this report explores these issues and more. I am deeply grateful to all those who gave up their time to contribute.”

The key findings of the report reveal the need for new pedagogies, new content, continual digital skills development, equity of access, new regulatory approaches and new contractual arrangements for staff working in a more agile environment.