About the Episode
About the Episode: In this episode recorded live in Austin at SXSW EDU 2024, Dustin speaks with Carl about his work building Construct Education into one of the world’s leading digital learning companies and what he sees on the horizon for higher education.
Key Takeaways
- Closing the Gap Between Education and Employment: Construct Education focuses on creating career pathways by integrating elite university programs, community colleges, and industry needs, addressing critical skills gaps.
- Return on Education as a Guiding Principle: Institutions should prioritize designing programs that deliver tangible benefits for learners, from job readiness to career advancement.
- Leveraging Existing Educational Assets: Universities can achieve cost efficiency and relevance by repurposing existing content for new contexts, such as industry-specific training or stackable credentials.
- The Importance of Cooperation: Collaboration between governments, institutions, and industries is essential for addressing workforce needs and fostering innovation in higher education.
- The Role of Digital Learning and AI: From generating content to building customized learning pathways, AI and digital platforms play a critical role in making education more accessible, scalable, and tailored to individual learners.
Episode Summary
The Origin Story of Construct Education
Carl Dawson co-founded Construct Education with the vision of creating accessible and impactful learning solutions for diverse audiences. Starting with elite universities and industries, the company has grown into a global leader in digital learning, offering services such as instructional design, platform development, and student support. Despite its initial focus on niche projects, Construct Education now operates on a larger scale, bridging gaps between education and workforce readiness.
Building Programs for Real-World Impact
Carl discusses the need to move beyond vanity programs and faculty-driven initiatives toward offerings that meet market demands. Construct Education emphasizes stackable credentials, on-the-job training, and digital learning solutions that address real-world skills shortages. By working with universities, industries, and governments, the company creates pathways for learners to achieve meaningful career outcomes.
Collaboration as a Catalyst for Change
Carl highlights the importance of cooperation among stakeholders—elite universities, community colleges, industries, and policymakers—to build an integrated education system. He also underscores the role of institutions in leveraging their existing resources, such as previously developed course content, to meet changing workforce needs.
A Focus on Return on Education
To remain competitive and relevant, institutions must adopt a learner-first mindset, prioritizing programs that deliver measurable returns for students. Whether through short courses, microcredentials, or full degree programs, the ultimate goal is to ensure learners gain the skills and knowledge needed for sustainable career growth.
Guest Name/Title/Employer: Carl Dawson - Co-Founder & CEO North America at Construct Education
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
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About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
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Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.
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