Harnessing user experience is the most powerful tool higher-education institutions have to transform learning–but user-experience design is mostly foreign in higher education.
Despite its sporadic use, user-experience design is, in fact, a critical part of the future of higher education, according to ISTE CEO Richard Culatta, who expanded upon the idea during an EDUCAUSE 2017 session.
“If we look at how we can build around the needs of students, we will absolutely transform their lives, and our roles and values as institutions,” Culatta said.
Understanding three key things–the user, what they expect from their experience, and how they interact with the system–can help institutions leverage user experience for the benefit of all involved.
Part of the necessity in harnessing user design is that it will help institutions improve and move forward instead of remaining stagnant, Culatta said.
Next page: How user experience will impact the future of higher education
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Latest posts by Laura Ascione (see all) - Weak tech could push students, faculty to other institutions - April 13, 2026
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