Research Article
Crisis and Opportunities in Higher Education Stimulated by Edutech
Hanyang Cyber University
Published: January 2020 · Vol. 24 · pp. 151-171
DOI: https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.17287/kbr.2020.24.0.151
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Abstract
Universities are confronting hard times ever due to the challenges such as the decline in student population, the difficult financial situations and the criticism for not providing quality education services. Although change and innovation is required from education demanders, including students, potential entrants, and various substitutes, universities have not met the social demand of human resource development that will lead the 4th Industrial Revolution. Given the situation, Edutech, which solves various educational problems with technology, is expected to provide challenges and opportunities for higher education. Edutech, a compound word of education and technology, supports innovative attempts to solve the problems faced by education with ICT technology. Typical examples include MOOC, learning and analysis services, and VR-based hands-on education, and many successful cases of Edutech startups have been reported in developed countries. In Korea, existing education service companies are attempting to transform themselves into Edutech ones, and the Edutech market is gradually expanding as technology-based startups enter the market. While Edutech services for infants and elementary and middle school students are being activated, Edutech's influence is still limited on university and adult education level. This study analyzed global education service trends and strategies of Edutech companies to provide suggestions for what changes and opportunities Edutech will bring to higher education and how universities should respond.
