 |
EdTech ConnectAuthor: Jeff Dillon
** Reached #4 on Apple Podcast Education Category ** The EdTech Connect Podcast is the leading podcast for higher education professionals who want learn about the most innovative people and tech shaping the future of Higher Education Join host Jeff Dillon as he explores emerging trends, pioneering developments, and real-world applications of technology in academia. Each episode features interviews with leading experts, educators, technologists and solution providers, who share their insights on how technology can be used to improve student engagement, enhance learning outcomes, and transform the educational experience. Whether you're a marketer, faculty, IT Leader, enrollment director, or anyone interested in the future of higher education, the EdTech Connect Podcast is your source for knowledge and inspiration you need to harness the power of technology and drive innovation on your campus. Listeners of the EdTech Connect Podcast will learn about the latest trends, best practices, and challenges in the rapidly evolving field of educational technology. Learn more at https://edtechconnect.com. Language: en Genres: Education, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Ep. 84 - Betheny Gross: The Real Opportunity for AI in Higher Education
Episode 84
Friday, 24 April, 2026
Is higher education using AI to simply do the same things faster, or are we on the cusp of a genuine transformation in how students learn, access support, and build opportunity? In this episode, host Jeff Dillon welcomes Dr. Betheny Gross, Research Director at WGU Labs, for a candid, research-grounded conversation about where AI is actually moving the needle for students—and where it's falling short. With over two decades of experience studying education systems and a current focus on equity-driven innovation, Dr. Gross brings a refreshingly honest perspective to the AI hype cycle. She shares the story behind STU, WGU Labs' AI-powered student support chatbot, revealing how it evolved from a simple FAQ tool into a "Swiss Army knife" that helps adult learners prepare for mentor meetings, build study schedules, and navigate the hidden complexities of college. But she doesn't stop there. Dr. Gross challenges institutions to think bigger—arguing that the real breakthrough will come when AI lowers costs, raises quality through consistent learning science, and creates fully personalized pathways for every student, especially the 25 million Americans who have never accessed post-secondary education. From the risks of handing learning over to tech companies to the imperative of designing for those "farthest from opportunity," this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what equity by design actually requires. Tune in for a conversation that separates signal from noise and offers a practical, student-first framework for the future of higher ed. Key Takeaways The Goal Is Public Education, Not a Particular Set of Systems: Dr. Gross carries forward a powerful framing from her time at the Center on Reinventing Public Education: our commitment to making quality education accessible to all is unchangeable, but how we deliver it—including which tools and technologies we use—must always be open to reinvention and improvement. AI Is Still in the "Doing Things Faster" Phase: While much of higher ed has focused on using AI to do existing tasks more efficiently, Dr. Gross argues we haven't yet challenged the technology—or allowed it to challenge us—at scale. The real transformation will come when AI fundamentally widens access to learning, not just speeds up existing processes. Stu: From FAQ Bot to Swiss Army Knife: WGU Labs' student support chatbot began as a 24/7 navigational tool for adult learners (many of whom are first-generation students studying late at night). It has since evolved to help students prepare for mentor meetings, build weekly study plans, and manage stress—demonstrating how AI can address both logistical and psychological barriers to success. Lowering Costs and Raising Quality Are the Twin Levers: For AI to truly expand access, it must help lower the cost of post-secondary learning while making high-quality instruction more consistent. Dr. Gross points to AI-powered learning design platforms and quality-assured assessment tools as promising examples of how to raise the floor for all instructors. Test Everything. Benchmark Everything: WGU Labs runs randomized control trials and quasi-experimental studies to compare AI interventions against existing alternatives. Dr. Gross emphasizes the need for benchmarking—measuring how much better a solution performs, not just whether it works at all—to avoid throwing solutions at problems without evidence of meaningful improvement. Two Critical Risks to Watch: First, institutions cannot cede ownership of teaching and learning to technology companies. AI tools are not educational systems unto themselves. Second, as point solutions proliferate, institutions must ensure the student experience remains coherent—not a fragmented collection of bolted‑together t... Chapters (00:00:00) - Will AI Challenge the Higher Ed Sector?(00:00:34) - Welcome to The Signal(00:01:55) - Getting it out there: The need for higher education reform(00:03:58) - The biggest determinants of student success(00:05:49) - WGU Labs(00:07:52) - The Stu, the Student Report Portal(00:16:01) - What's Assessment of AI Programs?(00:18:34) - What are the risks of AI-based learning?(00:21:09) - What does equity by design look like for students?(00:25:49) - How AI is reshaping higher education(00:28:19) - The Signal: Higher Ed Tech Insights
