Phil interviews Rajay Naik, CEO of Skilled Education and formerly at Open University and Keypath Education, about his perspective on US and UK online higher education. Rajay describes his personal history seeing online from both the US and UK, and the two discuss whether the latter follows the former by five years or if it is more complex. Then Morgan, Neil, and Phil discuss the interview and their perspective on the key topics from the interview.

00:00 Introduction to Online Education Perspectives

34:35 Initial Reactions and Disagreements

36:57 The Impact of the Pandemic on Online Education

38:52 Unbundling Services in Online Education

41:44 International Student Recruitment Dynamics

46:08 Understanding Online Recruitment Strategies

48:43 Crossing Borders in EdTech and OPMs

US and UK Online Higher Education: Compare and Contrast

This conversation explores the return on investment (ROI) of higher education, comparing perspectives from the US and UK. It discusses the increasing scrutiny on colleges and universities regarding their value, particularly in light of rising student debt. The speakers delve into the implications of metrics used to evaluate educational programs and the potential consequences of these discussions on future educational policies and practices.

00:00Introduction to ROI in Higher Education

05:52The State of College ROI in the US

10:14UK Perspectives on Higher Education Value

17:29The Complexity of Measuring Educational Outcomes

19:25Understanding ROI in Higher Education

22:41The Role of Data Dashboards

27:15Political Influences on Higher Education

30:08Future Trends in Higher Education

35:11The Importance of Industry Alignment

The Rise of the ROI and College Premium Mindset in Higher Education

Marketing in online education is a different game than for traditional higher education - different in scale, infrastructure, and in key metrics. But without it, how would an institution reach new learners?

This conversation delves into the complexities of marketing in online education, focusing on the challenges faced by institutions and OPMs in recruitment and enrollment strategies. It highlights the increasing costs associated with marketing, the impact of demographic shifts, and the need for precise measurement of marketing effectiveness. The discussion also touches on the differences in marketing approaches between traditional and online education, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies to meet the unique demands of online learners.

If you want to be seen, you must glitter

Like Alice realizing that nothing in Wonderland worked as she expected, so can it be with marketing online programs from a traditional marketing mindset.

The conversation delves into the challenges faced by universities in marketing their online programs, particularly in light of budget cuts and enrollment declines. The discussion highlights the pushback against changes in university structures, the importance of understanding digital marketing, and the evolving role of Online Program Managers (OPMs). The speakers emphasize the need for a student-centric approach in marketing and the complexities involved in transitioning to in-house marketing strategies.



00:00Introduction to Online Education Challenges

03:52Budget Cuts and Institutional Responses

10:21The Shift to In-House Marketing

19:02Understanding Online Marketing Dynamics

24:27Operational Strategies for Online Programs

24:33The Role of OPM Partnerships in University Marketing

30:30Challenges of Program-Specific Marketing

34:18Evaluating the Effectiveness of OPMs

39:28Building Internal Marketing Competence

45:48The Importance of Student-Centric Marketing

Curiouser and curiouser!

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of online education, focusing on student demand, preferences, and the implications of recent trends. The discussion highlights the complexities surrounding the perception of online learning, the impact of OPM relationships, and the need for universities to adapt to changing student needs. Phil, Morgan, and Neil analyze data from various reports, emphasizing the importance of understanding student choices and the potential for blended learning models.

The discussion raises two questions not often addressed: at what levels will online eduction plateau and stop growing, and do any institutions actually market blended or hybrid course experiences?

The questions run too deep . . . for such a simple man

What was and wasn't prominently discussed at ASU+GSV 2025

In this conversation, Phil Hill, Neil Mosley, and Morgan discuss the recent ASU+GSV Summit and associated AI Show, reflecting on the overall experience, the quality of sessions, and the themes that emerged. They explore the disjunctures in higher education conversations, particularly regarding current challenges and the role of AI. The discussion also touches on the impact of financial turmoil, cultural wars, and the influence of Big Tech on education. The conversation concludes with thoughts on innovative solutions and the future direction of educational practices.

The Great Disjuncture in the Sky

In this episode, Phil Hill discusses the evolving landscape of education policy under the Trump administration, focusing on the what to expect next based on negotiating tactics. The conversation delves into the emotional responses to these policies, the importance of transparency and accountability, and the need for a sector-neutral approach to education outcomes. Key themes include the political influences shaping education policy and the future directions that may emerge as a result of current trends.

Takeaways

 * The Trump administration's education policies are complex and multifaceted.
 * Emotional responses to education policy can cloud rational analysis.
 * Transparency and accountability are crucial in education reform.
 * Sector-neutral outcomes are a key focus for future education policies.
 * The political landscape heavily influences education policy decisions.
 * Higher education institutions must adapt to changing regulations and expectations.
 * There is a need for critical thinking in response to education policy changes.
 * The role of various stakeholders, including activists, is significant in shaping policy.
 * Future education policies will likely focus on workforce alignment and outcomes.

Checker Fred, just sit there and play checkers

The conversation delves into the complexities and challenges of online international education, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding international students and the financial pressures faced by universities. The speakers discuss trends in recruitment, the importance of understanding different markets, and the need for universities to adapt their strategies to meet the demands of a changing landscape. They emphasize the significance of partnerships and the long-term vision required to succeed in this evolving field.

Are you trying to tempt me? Because I come from the land of plenty

This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of the Online Program Management (OPM) market, particularly focusing on the shift from revenue share to fee-for-service models. Recent reports present a false narrative, and we don't buy it. The discussion highlights the challenges in defining OPMs, the role of Coursera, and the implications of these changes for educational institutions. We express skepticism about the reported trends and emphasize the need for clearer definitions and understanding of the market dynamics. This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of online education, focusing on revenue models, particularly the dominance of revenue share versus fee-for-service arrangements. The speakers discuss the implications of regulatory pressures, the maturity of institutions, and the strategic shifts of platforms like Coursera, which is moving away from traditional degree offerings towards more flexible, unbundled services. The discussion highlights the complexities and nuances of the market, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of these dynamics as they continue to evolve.

Your saying so don’t make it so

This conversation delves into the current state of the VLE and LMS market, focusing on financial pressures faced by universities, the impact of government funding, and the dynamics of online learning implementations. The discussion also highlights the role of AI in shaping market changes and the overall trends observed in the education technology landscape.

Slowly but surely

Discussions of the postsecondary online education markets, including for Online Program Management (OPM)

Online Education Across the Atlantic