The conversation explores the current state of online education, focusing on the recent conferences of major LMS providers like Anthology, D2L, and Instructure. Key themes include Anthology's financial struggles and AI strategy, D2L's new features and user adoption, and Instructure's bold AI initiatives. The discussion highlights the potential for significant changes in the LMS market driven by AI, while also addressing the challenges and uncertainties faced by these companies. takeaways Antholo...
Aug 14, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 19
The conversation reflects on the Online Learning Summit held at the University of Leeds, discussing the growth of online education, the challenges and opportunities faced by institutions, and the importance of innovation and leadership in navigating change. The speakers emphasize the need for a shift in educational approaches, particularly in light of generative AI and evolving student needs, while also recognizing the enduring relevance of traditional degrees and institutions. *Takeaways* The s...
Jul 11, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 18
This conversation delves into the current state of the LMS market, exploring perceptions of stagnation versus excitement, the impact of AI, and the dynamics between major vendors like Anthology, D2L, Instructure, and Moodle. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities within the market, including pricing strategies, the role of non-credit education, and the evolving landscape of education technology. 00:00 Introduction to the LMS Market Landscape 03:02 Market Dynamics: Boring or E...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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 Perspecti...
Jun 19, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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. 00:00 Introduction to ROI in Higher Education 05:52 The...
Jun 03, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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...
May 22, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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 (...
May 06, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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 mod...
Apr 25, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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...
Apr 10, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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...
Mar 25, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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 succe...
Mar 12, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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 understa...
Feb 26, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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.
Feb 12, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Predictions for 2025: What Lies Ahead? In this episode, Phil, Morgan, and Neil discuss various topics related to online education, including the impact of generative AI on the market, predictions for 2025, and the future of language learning apps. They explore the potential for university bankptcies, shifts in assessment practices, and the increasing trend of international online learning. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in educational platforms and the challenges faced ...
Jan 30, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Welcome back to another episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic" . In today's episode, our hosts dive into the evolving state of online education in both the US and the UK. As they navigate through recent data, they compare enrollment trends, challenges, and strategic investments that shape the future of online learning. The discussion delves into how the sectors have grown post-COVID, the stability of datasets, and the increasing competitiveness in the online education market. Phil and...
Jan 16, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," we delve into the findings of the UK’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, revealing a split in satisfaction between international and UK students. The discussion expands to explore the challenges and benefits of online education, such as program flexibility, student engagement, and the pivotal role of faculty involvement. The episode also examines the effects of COVID-19 on educational expectations, the balance between cohort-based l...
Dec 22, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," we discuss the extremes of attitudes towards technology in education, particularly around AI. Starting with Donald Clarks critique of an anti-tech keynote at the OEB conference, we dive into the popularity of 100% skepticism or 100% optimism we often hear during keynotes. We explore the importance of organizing high-profile debates to tackle polarizing issues and reflect on the success of past debates. We also highlight the prevalence of...
Dec 11, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the Season 2 premiere of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," hosts Phil, Morgan, and Neil take you on a tour of the latest educational technology conferences. We explore key takeaways from CanvasConnect in Barcelona, where lifelong learning and practical course organization dominated the sessions, and the D2L Connections event in Amsterdam, highlighting the buzz around AI-driven tools like Lumi and H5P integration. Morgan shares experiences from the Moodle Moot in Mexico, unpacking the ch...
Nov 27, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Title Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBKKo43lJ-E This week, we dive into the non-regulatory issues surrounding EdTech ecosystem usage where multiple apps are used within a course. Controlling which apps can be used can trigger academic freedom concerns, but how can educators gain a more complete view of student learning? We discuss the complexities of tracking and data analytics across various platforms. Plus, we explore how centralized data approaches can benefit institutions trying...
Sep 16, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode of Online Education Across the Atlantic, hosts Phil, Neil, and Morgan dive into the conference season in the world of learning management systems. They discuss D2L's focus on engaging interactive content through the acquisition of H5P, Anthology's new direction under fresh leadership, and the challenges faced by Instructure in clearly communicating their product roadmap. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of AI on content development and the future of LMS produ...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Thinking about how distance education has evolved over decades and where it is heading? This episode dives into the transformation from traditional universities entering the online space to the democratization of online learning in both the US and the UK. We explore the dominance of the Open University in the UK, the potential for US institutions to enter international markets, and the rise of transnational online learning. Join us as we unravel the complexities of regulatory changes, market opp...
Jul 11, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Title reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0IK_R3hHLA In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the world of online education across continents. We compare Welsh and English higher education funding, unravel FAFSA's ongoing issues, and discuss the diverse landscape of distance learning from Europe to South Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Discover how platforms like Moodle support millions of students in China and the mobile-centric approach of African Leadership University...
Jun 27, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Title reference: https://youtu.be/C51CVmjkAyo In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," Morgan, Neil, and Phil address listener questions for the first time and discuss Coursera's recent introduction of AI-based tools for plagiarism detection, proctoring, and grading in their pilot program in India. The team also explores Queen Mary University's move to end several online courses after their OPM partnership with CEG Digital, while still offering other online options. Later, the ...
Jun 18, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Do we believe the latest enrollment news? In this episode of Online Education Across the Atlantic, Phil, Morgan, and Neil explore the latest challenges in international student enrollments in the US and UK and ask whether we should believe the latest numbers and trends? They discuss the impact of online education, dual enrollment, and vocational programs on student numbers, as well as concerns from dropping applications. With demographic changes, foreign policy measures, and FAFSA completion gap...
Jun 04, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," Morgan, Neil, and Phil dive into the potential impact of AI on higher education. They explore the regulatory challenges and opportunities brought by rapid AI advancements, focusing on big tech players like Google and Microsoft. The discussion covers the UK's decision to maintain the graduate route for international students, the role of AI tutors, and the necessity for higher education institutions to adapt their curriculums to meet toda...
May 28, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Today on "Online Education Across the Atlantic," we dive into the world of online short courses and the trailblazing efforts by universities such as Southern New Hampshire and the University of Michigan . We critically examine the challenges UK institutions face, including financial stability and adapting to modern educational demands. Our discussion covers the transformative potential of AI in education and raises important questions about whether traditional universities can pivot to meet toda...
May 21, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In today's episode of "Online Education Across the Atlantic," we dive deep into the current state and future of online learning. We discuss how online education is not just a fleeting trend but a substantial evolution that's making education accessible for many, including those who had to abandon their studies previously. We explore the diversity of online learners, the necessity of flexible program designs, and the need of adapting to meet various life schedules. From discussions on the FAFSA f...
May 06, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Welcome to another episode of 'Online Education Across the Atlantic'. Today, we dived deep into the bustling world of the ASU GSV conference as well as the Times Higher Ed conference, exploring the successes and failures of putting together a good conference. We unpacked the challenges of navigating such a high-profile event (ASU GSV), from the overcrowded panels to the spontaneous connections made in line. We also touched on the power of being present and how flexibility can enhance your confer...
Apr 24, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Welcome to another episode of Online Education Across the Atlantic, where today we explore the intertwined issues of higher education crises and political impact, the evolving landscape of online education assessments, and the contentious world of educational rankings. We dive into how the declining enrollment might shake up the next U.S. elections and discuss the impact of financial oversights in tech-oriented educational firms like 2U. Furthermore, we question the methodology behind new initia...
Apr 17, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In three stories that we have discussed lately - the UAGC ongoing fiasco, the University of Phoenix sales process, and Project Kitty Hawk board reports - there seems to be a common theme. Namely, that governance issues are creating a lot of the risk, when governance should be used to manage risk. What is happening around governance in these three examples, and why are we seeing this common theme across high-profile online initiatives? What does this say about higher ed culture and its ability to...
Apr 08, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 19
