Re-considering university rankings: on-line instruction and adaptability

• In Event: Sociology of Education Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4. Contemporary Dilemmas in Higher Education

Abstract

it is interesting to note that in a number of cases quality of instruction is closely associated with internationalisation and consequently, with global university rankings. This fact implies reconsideration of study programs, innovative teaching approaches, incorporation of new methodologies and technologies in the instruction process, developing more creative and flexible skills in students and making them globally competitive and employable. International recognition of the programs and universities goes hand in hand with this process and aims at the inclusion of universities in the global rankings.
In a number of cases quality of instruction is closely associated with internationalisation and consequently, with global university rankings. This fact implies reconsideration of study programs, innovative teaching approaches, incorporation of new methodologies and technologies in the instruction process, developing more creative and flexible skills in students and making them globally competitive and employable. International recognition of the programs and universities goes hand in hand with this process and aims at the inclusion of universities in the global rankings.
Furthermore, on-line adaptability and high IT proficiency have become vividly important over 2020-2025 and educators have started addressing the global accessibility issues worldwide. Therefore, the present research investigates and states that these adaptability and flexibility components should be included in the university ranking criteria as one of the significant quality indicators.
In addition, looking at the language that university websites use to attract prospective students is also interesting to identify the quality and technological adaptability indicators that are usually implemented in this case. This has become particularly important, since the majority of students have started referring to university websites for extracting the necessary information about the standing and quality of universities, and the level of their technological advancement.

Author

• Mariam Orkodashvili, Vanderbilt University