Online learning has solidified its position as the dominant mode of higher education delivery for adult learners and professionals seeking to advance their skills. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and agents is poised to further transform the landscape of online education. These innovative technologies offer the potential to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and flexibility of online programs, catering to the evolving needs of lifelong learners in Illinois and beyond. Exploring the opportunities presented by these advanced, intelligent technologies is crucial to understanding their capacity to extend and enrich online learning initiatives within educational institutions across Illinois, ensuring accessibility and impactful learning experiences for all.
Biography
Ray Schroeder is a nationally recognized leader in higher education online learning and a senior fellow of UPCEA, the association for online and professional education. He also holds the position of professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). With an extensive 50-year tenure within the University of Illinois system, serving both the Urbana and Springfield campuses, Ray has been honored with numerous national accolades for his individual excellence and leadership. These honors come from esteemed organizations such as the Sloan Consortium (now OLC), the US Distance Learning Association, the American Journal of Distance Education, the Illinois Council for Continuing Higher Education, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Illinois. In 2023, Ray’s contributions were further recognized with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from UIS, and he became the inaugural recipient of the UPCEA Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning, now proudly renamed the Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning. A prolific author, Ray’s expertise is reflected in his book chapters, articles, widely circulated blogs, and active social media presence, all focusing on the latest news and research in online learning and educational technology. As a sought-after speaker, consultant, researcher, and author, Ray Schroeder is a leading voice on online learning, emerging educational technologies, and the transformative potential of technology-enhanced learning, particularly within institutions like the University of Illinois and the broader context of Learning Illinois.
