Insights from OLC Accelerate 2024 on Driving Change in Higher Education

Trust is what makes change possible in education. It’s what allows faculty and administrators to try new technologies, take risks, and believe that their efforts will lead to something better. Without it, even the best ideas can crumble, like chalk breaking on a blackboard, before they leave their mark. At the OLC Accelerate 2024 conference, we explored how trust isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. It’s what gives educators the confidence to innovate and helps institutions move forward in a time of rapid change.

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The OLC Accelerate 2024 conference, held November 18–21 in Orlando, Florida, marked a significant milestone in online, blended, and digital education, celebrating three decades of progress. Under the theme "30 Years of Magic: Envisioning a New Era of Digital Learning," the event convened educators, researchers, and practitioners to exchange insights and strategies for the future of education.

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During the conference, WGU Labs co-presented a session with Tawnya Means from the Gies College of Business titled How Higher Ed is Navigating AI: Insights from WGU Labs Research Aligned with the University of Illinois Best Practices. Our discussion addressed challenges in adopting educational technologies, such as limited resources, trust issues, and research gaps. We drew upon WGU Labs' research and the innovative strategies employed by the Gies College of Business to offer actionable solutions for building trust, empowering educators, and effectively preparing institutions to leverage technology. 

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Key takeaways from the joint session were: 

1. Involving Faculty in EdTech and AI Policy Development: The CIN Faculty EdTech Survey from WGU Labs highlights a disconnect between decision-making processes and those with direct classroom experience. Faculty report having limited influence on EdTech policies despite being primary users, leading to skepticism about effectiveness. Engaging educators early fosters trust and ensures tools align with instructional needs. WGU Labs' research underscores the importance of faculty involvement in creating sustainable and effective EdTech strategies.
2. Creating an AI-Ready Culture: Building AI literacy, integrating it into workflows, and promoting leadership buy-in are essential for higher education to leverage AI effectively. Gies College of Business has been highlighted as an emerging leader in implementing artificial intelligence best practices. Institutions can take the next step by assessing their current AI strategies and involving faculty and leadership in creating a roadmap for AI adoption that supports educators and students.
3. Addressing Barriers to EdTech Adoption through Evidence-Based Approaches: Faculty often face limited resources, lack of training, and outdated tools, which hinder effective technology adoption. WGU Labs’ CIN research highlights how institutions can overcome these challenges through targeted resources and strategic planning. For example, insights from CIN surveys show that faculty with support and clear evidence of EdTech effectiveness are more likely to integrate these tools, enhancing student outcomes and creating consistency across learning environments.
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The session attracted a diverse audience of higher education faculty and staff, who shared their experiences with AI policy development. Many attendees noted that their institutions lacked formal AI policies, leaving individual faculty members to establish their guidelines. This situation has led to inconsistencies and, in some cases, the rapid obsolescence of existing policies due to the swift pace of technological advancement. These discussions underscored the necessity of involving faculty in decision-making processes. Our research indicates that most faculty don’t use AI tools, and less than half believe AI will have a positive impact. Therefore, including faculty early in the decision-making process is crucial.

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Institutions must place trust, collaboration, and strategic planning at the forefront of their efforts to fully harness the transformative power of AI and educational technologies. As highlighted during the OLC Accelerate 2024 conference, trust isn’t just a tool for progress — it’s the foundation for meaningful, sustainable innovation. By engaging faculty in policy development, building AI-ready cultures, and addressing barriers to adoption, we can ensure that technology becomes a catalyst for positive change rather than a source of friction.

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