Goals

"Next Gen Learning Challenges seek to dramatically improve college readiness and college completion in the U.S., especially among low-income young adults."

The U.S. is unlikely to make the necessary strides toward these ends without turning our collective will, creative innovation and tremendous power of technology toward the problem. Technology has transformed work, life, and play. We must use its power to transform education, particularly for those who need it most.

Technology focused

We plan to identify ways that proven and emerging technology-enabled solutions can scale improvements in college readiness and completion. We use the term technology in a broad sense that includes digital content, social media, software applications, internet delivery, data analytics, communications networks, and devices.

Shift to student success

Next Gen Learning hopes to shift some of the focus on technology-enabled solutions from access and convenience to improved quality of learning experiences and improved college readiness and completion. The “next generation” epitomizes innovations, deeper ways of learning, solutions―and results.

Proof-of-concept and early scale

We seek to build on existing “islands of innovation” and not focus on early research and development. Rather, it seeks to identify those solutions displaying early promise and help them to move to proof-of-concept and onto early scale. However, the intention is to take risks on breakthrough ideas and failure – and learning from failure – are part of the cycle of innovation.

Secondary and postsecondary

The initiative is focused on young adults in both secondary and postecondary levels of education (grades 9 -16). Although the institutional context and age of the learners differ, the problems facing students and educators are similar. Next Gen Learning Challenges see college readiness and college completion as a continuum rather than as independent issues.

Build evidence

With an eye toward expanding our knowledge of how technology can enhance learning, the program will focus on projects that promise to provide and share evidence of student learning.

Develop community

Next Gen Learning seeks to spark new dialogue and community-building among individuals and institutions committed to address the ever more pressing needs of our educational system. Through a vibrant social network and community engagement, the program will foster solutions and bring together unique collaborations that span institutions and disciplines.