Future-Focused Learning in a Digital Age

Jessica Butts Scott, Associate Vice President, Online & Continuing Education, University of Alberta

Jessica Butts Scott, Associate Vice President, Online & Continuing Education, University of Alberta

Recognizing Jessica Butts Scott’s visionary leadership in online and continuing education, this exclusive feature offers an in-depth look at how she’s reshaping the landscape of digital learning. With a passion for accessibility and innovation, Scott is driving flexible, career-focused solutions that meet the needs of today’s working professionals.

Online Education’s Impact on Professionals and Students

Online education is having a profound impact on both working professionals and students pursuing higher education. Demand is especially strong among working professionals, many of whom are pursuing graduate-level credentials that support their career goals. Short-form programs, like graduate certificates that can stack into course-based master’s degrees, are especially popular, offering a clear path to advancement without requiring long-term commitments upfront.

A key trend shaping this space is the rise of the ‘onlinefirst’ mindset. Increasingly, learners prioritize delivery format over institutional brand. If a fully online option isn’t available at their preferred university, they’re willing to look elsewhere. This shift highlights how online learners differ from traditional students. They’re not looking for the full-time, on-campus experience. They want flexible, affordable programs with short, manageable courses they can complete part-time while working.

Rather than competing with in-person programs, online offerings serve a different need. The learners are motivated by career outcomes, higher earning potential and the ability to continue working while studying. Many are willing to pay more for the lower opportunity cost that online learning offers. Studying remotely allows them to stay in their jobs, avoid commuting and still make meaningful professional progress.

Quality is not seen as a tradeoff. Most online learners perceive virtual programs as being on par with campus-based offerings. They’re not settling—they’re choosing what works best for their lives. At the same time, institutional reputation still plays a critical role. Even for fully online programs, students tend to favor universities they recognize and trust. However, online learning also presents distinct challenges.

Many of these learners are in their 30s or 40s, managing demanding jobs, family responsibilities and financial pressures. They often self-fund their education while juggling multiple priorities. These realities require institutions to provide not just academic content, but meaningful support and flexibility.

“Online education is dynamic, fast-moving and often requires working within traditional structures while pushing for innovation”

The advantage is that these students bring rich professional experience into the virtual classroom, creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. But this only works when courses are designed to foster connection. Poorly designed online programs can lead to isolation. To create a truly engaging experience, institutions must prioritize active peer interaction, strong faculty presence and course design that supports community and engagement.

AI’s Growing Role in Enhancing Online Learning

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping online education. It offers new ways to analyze learner data, improve student engagement, enhance course design and rethink how learning is assessed. For working professionals, this shift is particularly relevant.

Many graduate students already use AI tools in their workplaces to increase productivity, so it's important that their learning environments reflect that reality.

Bringing AI into the classroom supports more personalized and responsive learning experiences. It can deliver tailored feedback, create individualized learning paths and improve student interaction. At the same time, it challenges traditional assessment methods. As AI becomes more capable of generating high-quality content, educators are exploring new ways to evaluate learning that go beyond essays or exams and focus on real-world application.

While many AI tools are still emerging, the sector is moving quickly toward adoption. Platforms designed specifically for higher education are starting to integrate generative AI, and institutions are exploring these technologies with thoughtful planning.

In the next five to ten years, AI is expected to transform post-secondary education. It will likely play a larger role in course development, automated student support, personalized nudging systems and embedded tools like AI-powered tutors or virtual study assistants. Though still in its early stages, this shift is gaining momentum. AI is on track to become a central force in shaping the future of online learning.

Protecting Academic Integrity in an AI-Driven Environment

At the University of Alberta, we’ve developed a structured and flexible approach to help instructors integrate generative AI into their teaching responsibly. As AI tools become more prevalent in online education, it’s essential for institutions to balance their potential benefits with the ethical, pedagogical and academic integrity challenges they introduce.

To support this, we’ve created a set of guidelines that empower instructors to make informed decisions about how AI is used in their courses, based on specific learning outcomes. A key element of this approach is setting clear expectations for students early in the course. We’ve provided a series of model statements that instructors can include in their syllabi to outline permitted uses of AI, with an emphasis on transparency, academic honesty, proper citation and ethical engagement.

These statements cover a range of options, from fully embracing AI as a workplace-relevant tool to prohibiting its use entirely. This spectrum allows instructors to adopt it in ways that align with their course goals while maintaining accountability and upholding meaningful assessment.

Leading with Purpose in a Digital Education Era

Navigating the online education space requires continuous learning and active engagement. Staying current means keeping up with global trends, attending conferences, collaborating with peers and following developments in educational technology. At the University of Alberta, we use labor market data to inform new program development, aligning emerging workforce needs with our institutional expertise.

For leaders, it’s essential to design programs that are both research-driven and relevant. For those entering the field, the most important mindset is to center the student experience. One of the best ways to understand this is by becoming an online learner yourself. Experiencing different formats and delivery styles firsthand helps build a deeper understanding of quality course design.

Foundational training in instructional design is also important. It equips professionals with best practices for building effective, engaging online learning environments. Joining professional associations can expand your network and offer valuable insights from across the sector.

Online education is dynamic, fast-moving and often requires working within traditional structures while pushing for innovation. Success depends on adaptability, strategic thinking and a commitment to keeping learners’ needs at the core of every decision.