In this conversation, Lee Maxey, CEO of MindMax, sits down with Tom Cavanagh, Vice Provost for Digital Learning at the University of Central Florida, to discuss the evolving landscape of online education. 

Cavanagh shares insights on how institutions can maintain quality while scaling, the role of AI in higher education, and OPMs’ shifting business models. 

He emphasizes that online learning doesn’t have to sacrifice quality for growth. “What got us here may not get us there,” he says, pointing to the need for new systems and processes to support scalable, high-quality education.

Watch the full conversation.

Participants:

– Lee Maxey, CEO, MindMax 
– Tom Cavanagh, Vice Provost for Digital Learning, University of Central Florida

Core Themes:

– Maintaining quality while scaling online learning.

– The evolving role of AI in higher education.

– Shifts in OPM business models.

– The future of instructional design and gamification.

Key Concepts Covered:

– The current landscape of AI and technology in education, acknowledging UCF’s long-standing commitment to well-designed online learning.

– The importance of ensuring quality at scale in online education, highlighting challenges faced during the pandemic and the need for robust support systems.

– The iron triangle of quality, cost, and access—and how blended learning has shown higher outcomes than other modalities.

– The future of OPMs; the potential shift from a revenue-sharing model to a fee-for-service model due to regulatory changes.

– AI’s potential to assist faculty in course development and provide proactive support for student success.

– The importance of staying informed and adaptable as higher education continues to evolve.