Almost overnight, the pandemic pushed learners of all ages — as well as parents, educators, and administrators — into remote learning opportunities. For many, this necessitated urgent advancements in, and scaled deployment of, online learning strategies, processes, and platforms. This urgency is advantageous, because remote learning opportunities can be a boon to degree granting, continuing education, certification, and workforce development courses and programs.
By decoupling program participation and physical proximity, remote learning enables education — which previously might have been tied to on-campus locations — to be offered online, on demand, and to a broad range of geographically-distanced individuals. With an internet connection and unencumbered by the barriers associated with physical classroom attendance, individuals can experience increased access to classes, resources, research, networks, and systems at any time and from anywhere.
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Thus, by leveraging technology, individuals can access a more robust range of opportunities to meet their personalized education, training, and workforce development needs. These opportunities, particularly successful workforce development initiatives, spur specialized skill building, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, ultimately empowering individuals to participate in and create sustainable and inclusive economic stability and resilience.
About the Author:
Christine Galib serves as the Senior Director of Accelerator Programs at The Ion. In this role, she directs The Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator, which supports selected startups as they develop and deploy technology that connects ideas, people, and communities in Houston. Backed by the Mayor’s Office, the City of Houston, Microsoft, Intel, and TX/RX, Houston’s non-profit makerspace, the Accelerator launched its first cohort in September 2019 and second cohort in April 2020.
Christine is the founder of Plan My Plate, which offers leadership, management, creativity, innovation, and wellness consulting. A Teach For America alumna with an investment management background, Christine holds her bachelor’s from Princeton University, master’s from the University of Pennsylvania, and her doctorate from Drexel University. Her research interests include entrepreneurial mindset development, creativity, innovation, leadership, mindfulness, and wellness.