“One-size-fits-all” is no longer an applicable approach to higher ed technology. Modern EdTech must be not only scalable and secure, but work with both the mandated and innovative needs of private and public institutions.
Integrations have long been the answer here. However, higher ed institutions are calling for more complex integrations to support next-generation outcomes. The need for blended learning courses and meeting students’ accommodations also play a crucial role in these emerging requirements.
To continue pushing innovation and personalization, higher ed technology leaders must establish a plug-and-play EdTech ecosystem. Such a system enables seamless integration and data exchange between learning tools, content, assessment platforms, and accessibility technologies – empowering institutions to do more with tech possibilities.
How do you establish a plug-and-play ecosystem at your organization? First, keep in mind that plug-and-play interoperability doesn’t always translate to a completely open system, where you can add integrations as needed.
Technically, higher ed institutions can achieve interoperability in two ways: by containing their tech stacks to a monopolistic platform or by establishing a framework of open data standards set by internationally recognized EdTech leaders, such as IMS Global. Only the latter option is truly open for many integration options.
If you prefer flexibility — and wide range of choice of innovative products — we suggest three interoperability standards that will enable an open architecture of your higher ed technology system.
The LTI® standard is a gateway into an interoperable ecosystem, acting as the industry standard for integration between learning tools and software. The framework acts as a single point of integration for all tech within a system.
The standard adds the following capabilities to your EdTech stack:
Within an LTI®-enabled framework, end-users can take advantage of many innovative higher ed technologies and applications that work together to advance instruction and learning.
The QTI® standard turns what EdTech could previously do on its head. Technology-enhanced items within the QTI® framework deliver a more interactive and engaging learning experience.
Within a QTI-enabled framework, higher ed institutions can take advantage of:
The dynamic higher ed technology tools within a QTI®-supported environment play an integral role in connecting assessment to learning, while meeting the accessibility needs of students.
The CASE® framework enables secure data extraction and exchange. The standard aims to integrate educational competencies or academic standards with direct student outcomes.
The CASE standard delivers the following capabilities to an EdTech environment:
The CASE® framework enables alignment of results across multiple higher ed platforms to set standards. This allows instructors to better understand test outcomes and compare them to benchmarks, while delivering assessments that better respond to students’ needs.
The IMS Global standards work together to enable an interoperable ecosystem. Within this framework, higher ed technology products are easier to integrate with other standards-based applications, freeing IT staff and administrators from having to follow tedious manuals to set up various proprietary systems. When these technologies work within the same interoperable ecosystem, time and cost of tech integration goes down to zero.
Innovation plus lower technology costs across the organization is the future of EdTech. Once you establish a standardized framework, you enable increased data exchange and connection with your motivated suppliers, and your institution will achieve better instruction and learning outcomes.