{"686428":{"#nid":"686428","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Lifetime Learning Symposium Co-Chairs Reflect on Expanding the Boundaries of Lifetime Learning","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/georgia-tech-college-of-lifetime-learning_lifetimelearning-activity-7381078583311765504-2Co6?utm_source=share\u0026amp;utm_medium=member_desktop\u0026amp;rcm=ACoAAACXTN4BejskPNNwya8FQ-jbladgz4OOiiI\u0022\u003E2025 Lifetime Learning Symposium\u003C\/a\u003E explored new approaches to teaching, learning, and research that address 21st-century demands across age groups. After reflecting on the event and what they learned, the three co-chairs\u2014whose vision and expertise made the event possible\u2014recently discussed key projects, partnerships, and research that will carry forward from the gathering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFrom a previous focus on affordable degrees at scale, the College of Lifetime Learning\u0027s 2025 symposium expanded its theme considerably,\u201d explains Ronnie Godshalk, Associate Dean, Learning Systems. \u201cIn a time of skepticism about higher education, we drew together leaders representing impactful approaches to learning and groundbreaking technology and research.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECo-chair Warren Goetzel, Director of External and Faculty Engagement for the College\u2019s Center for 21st Century Learning, agreed, emphasizing the representation from the entire spectrum of lifelong learning. From K-12 educators to researchers, graduate students, chief online learning officers, and industry leaders, the diversity of the attendees truly represented the breadth of this community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe co-chairs also concurred about the ongoing relevance of the four themes that guided the symposium.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Value Proposition of Lifetime Learning\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis theme is characterized by critical reflection on overarching issues such as return on investment for individuals and institutions and the impact of education on society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022One of my favorite quotes is from Bertrand Russell: \u0027Now and then it\u0027s good to hang a question mark on things you\u0027ve long attached a period to,\u0027\u0022 said David Joyner, Executive Director of Online Education \u0026amp; OMSCS and Principal Research Associate, College of Computing. \u0022The symposium provided a community collectively asking the question: why do we still offer this master\u0027s or bachelor\u0027s degree? The answer may be that it has this specific value. But once we\u0027ve identified that, we also ask, are there other ways to deliver that value?\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral presentations highlighted the potential of new high-impact programs, including Georgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lifetimelearning.gatech.edu\/node\/172\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EComputer Science Teaching and Learning in Rural Georgia High Schools\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Improving access to education and employment opportunities for youth was the focus of other university-led efforts across the U.S., ranging from camps to hip-hop initiatives to workplace partnerships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAffordable At-Scale Programs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGodshalk emphasized the excitement generated about technology\u0027s potential\u2014especially AI applications\u2014to teach large student populations more effectively. The work of AI-ALOE at Georgia Tech features innovations for adult workforce training and higher education. The symposium also showcased AI-driven ways to personalize online learning, including AI avatars for innovating courses, AI for giving feedback, and scalable insights into 21st-century skills through AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECoupled with enthusiasm for AI, the symposium also spurred existential and practical questions about technology and its role in learning across ages and modes. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lifetimelearning.gatech.edu\/node\/170\u0022\u003EDean William Gaudelli\u2019s keynote\u003C\/a\u003E generated dialogue about key components of true learning. Each presenter integrating AI addressed questions about appropriate ages and purposes for its use. Researchers addressed challenges specific to ethical AI development, such as transparent reasoning and \u201ctheory of mind.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlternative Credentials and Research in Impactful Online Programs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERepresenting these themes were presentations that emphasized new partnerships across institutions and forward-looking research. New pathways for degrees and alternative credentials were exemplified by Georgia Tech\u0027s partnerships with the Georgia Department of Education, Siemens, the Technical College System of Georgia, and a similar partnership at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Industry leaders in digital credentialing, including ABET and 1EdTech, are key partners of several universities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch on AI, learning analytics, and learning design drew a large number of attendees. Georgia Tech researchers in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/c21u.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EC21U \u003C\/a\u003Eand other units presented learning analytics comparing online and on-campus graduate students, as well as K-12 rural computer science education. Colleagues at other universities provided AI-based insights into metrics for analyzing at-scale programs, as well as issues of retention and utility value.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding Partnerships for the Future of Learning\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing the symposium, new partnerships and concrete approaches to lifelong learning have already begun, Godshalk said, highlighting Georgia Tech\u0027s initiatives that explore alternative credentials and AI applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe need for the College of Lifetime Learning to exist and to lead is clear,\u201d Joyner said. \u0022Other departments and institutions can say \u2018we\u0027re tapping into something bigger here.\u2019 This is a broad trend that will grow.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s 2025 Lifetime Learning Symposium convened educators, researchers, technologists, and industry partners to examine new approaches to teaching and learning for a rapidly changing world. After the event, symposium co-chairs Ronnie Godshalk, Warren Goetzel, and David Joyner reflected on the four guiding themes\u2014value, scale, credentials, and research\u2014and the partnerships and projects that will carry the work forward. Their conversation highlighted how the College of Lifetime Learning and its collaborators are advancing both the theory and practice of education for learners of all ages.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"At Georgia Tech\u2019s 2025 Lifetime Learning Symposium, leaders and researchers explored how innovation, access, and technology are reshaping learning across the lifespan."}],"uid":"36756","created_gmt":"2025-11-14 14:33:48","changed_gmt":"2025-11-14 22:42:29","author":"jalderman3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"660375","name":"Lifetime Learning"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193940","name":"college of lifetime learning"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}