New tech uses hyper-personalization to drive community in digital education

Technology is paving the way for hyper-personalized learning experiences in education, but without human connection and community, it’s just information—not true understanding.

Scott Marshall, President and CEO of Semester at Sea and Host of the As Unexpected Podcast joined us to talk about the growing demand for experiential learning and why the future of learning is human, not just digital.

Connection before customization: "There are some brilliant technological innovations getting closer to customized learning experiences. The caveat is that we need customized learning experiences within community." According to Marshall, human interaction is integral to the learning process.

"The brain is a social organ," says Marshall. "It’s connected inherently to others." Cutting out interpersonal interaction, whether through remote-only classrooms or isolated VR learning pods, is a threat to effective education. Learning in isolation, he says, misses the essence of what learning really is.

Learning that lasts: "I fundamentally believe that education should be experiential. It should integrate theory and practice," says Marshall. One without the other doesn’t last. "You need to integrate theory into practice and practice into theory."

Marshall emphasizes linking academic concepts directly to real-world experiences. "You need to make students engage all the senses," he explains. Without tactile, sensory, and emotional elements, learning risks staying shallow and theoretical.

Education in flux: The demand for alternative learning is increasing, especially since the pandemic. With more young adults and their families rethinking traditional education, Marshall also sees volatility ahead. "There’s a lot of uncertainty in the political and economic environment that causes people to reconsider how they’ll spend the next few years," says Marshall.

Marshall states that although enrollment numbers are looking good, he understands that the current landscape is rife with instability. "People are rethinking how they want to spend their time and resources," he says. 

Career advantage: More than personally rewarding, experiential learning is a strong differentiator in the job market. "Every alumni comes out with an incredible story to tell future employers," says Marshall. "Companies seek these individuals who have seen and lived in alternative places, who have had deep learning experiences in different locations."

Community-based learning produces adaptable, capable, and multifaceted adults. "The value proposition remains extraordinarily strong," Marshall says.