Student retention is a significant issue in higher education. It affects all educational institutions. Targeted efforts and energy is being put into initiatives such as the student experience over the first five weeks which are yielding some results.
One view we could argue is that students enrol on our courses to get jobs, to build a career. Should we be more active in that process? Are we helping already? There is rising student expectations for the whole college experience. They are demanding more return on their investment from us, their educators. If students fail to complete their programme, was it just not right for them or could we have done something differently? Attracting the best students is inadequate if we fail to retain those we already have.
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Lectures are changing. The traditional college experience is changing. The roll of the traditional campus is being brought into question for so many disciplines. There are splendid campuses the world over. Will they be partially empty warehouses in five years time because 80% of programmes will have moved to remote learning. Surely this won’t affect the education of fine furniture? Students will always need to come and get hands on experience and training to be furniture designers and makers?
Perhaps not! Zaha Hadid (RIP 2016) the world-famous architect, revered for her awe inspiring creative building designs, produced a stunning chair via a computer and 3d printer. If interested, please see a video of her design output here: http://blog.stratasys.com/2016/06/01/zaha-hadid-3d-printed-chair/ Or images of the completed chair here: Zaha Hadid Images So, perhaps everyone can be a furniture designer from their bedroom. Draw your table, chair, shelf or even kitchen, email the model to the printers and your furniture is delivered the following week. Perhaps everyone can be a furniture designer? Perhaps you don’t need to go to Letterfrack anymore? Four years and €50k saved. Contemporary issues presented by technology, many of course! |
AuthorPaul Leamy, |