Snapshot of the present, glimpse into the future: impact of COVID-19 on higher education and adult training

Abstract

With the physical closure of universities and educational institutions around the world, the COVID-19 global crisis has brought to the fore critical questions surrounding the future delivery of higher education and adult learning away from traditional classrooms. This paper reports the broad findings from a recent survey with adult educators (n = 1553) working in higher education (HE) and training and adult education (TAE) sectors in Singapore. It provides key insights into adult educators' perceptions about the rapid changes in teaching and learning due to the pandemic and identifies challenges and impacts of moving to online mediums. COVID-19 is viewed as an opportunity for paradigm-change which HE/TAE organisations and educators should grasp. Respondents' caution that those who fail to make the necessary digital leap will be in danger of being left behind. Implications for post-COVID HE/TAE practice and policy are discussed.