Deep(ish) Dive: 2025 EDUCAUSE Teaching and Learning Workforce in Higher Education
13 AI Stats Higher Ed Can't Ignore (and Why They Matter)
The latest EDUCAUSE report is packed with insights on AI in teaching and learning. Below are 13 notable stats, each followed by my personal takeaway (IMHO). They resonated with me; I hope they resonate with you as well. For the report’s methodology, check out the footnote.1
1. Hybrid Work Adoption
Data: 70% of teaching and learning professionals reported having access to hybrid work arrangements.
IMHO: Hybrid work is becoming the norm, but institutions must ensure equitable access and support for all staff. Office managers and admins need to be able to access these opportunities as well.
2. Remote Work Availability
Data: 62% have access to remote work options.
IMHO: Remote work flexibility can enhance job satisfaction but requires robust digital infrastructure. Same equity opportunities as #1.
3. Flexible Hours
Data: 58% reported having flexible working hours.
IMHO: Flexible hours can boost productivity, but clear guidelines are essential to maintain team cohesion. I really think many of these data points are COVID artifacts.
4. Improved Work-Life Balance
Data: 84% cited improved work-life balance due to flexible work arrangements.
IMHO: Institutions should continue to make flexibility available to support employee well-being. I think many of us feel rushed back all of a sudden.
5. Job Satisfaction
Data: 80% experienced increased job satisfaction with flexible work options.
IMHO: Flexibility is a key driver of employee retention and satisfaction. I have a long commute, so I’m in this number. I also like to teach synchronously online.
6. Productivity Gains
Data: 73% reported enhanced productivity through flexible work arrangements.
IMHO: Flexible work can lead to perceived efficiency gains. Self-reported data here makes me somewhat more suspicious, but I am in that 73%, so…
7. Negative Impact on Belonging
Data: 19% felt flexible work negatively impacted their sense of belonging.
IMHO: Institutions need to foster community and inclusion in hybrid environments. Some extroverts like to show up F2F; I’m an introvert. I don’t.
8. Communication Challenges
Data: 16% reported worse communication and collaboration due to flexible work.
IMHO: Effective communication strategies are vital in flexible work settings, but 16% is a pretty low number. The flipside is that 84% didn’t.
9. Efficiency Through Technology
Data: 57% reported increased efficiency due to technology use.
IMHO: Investing in user-friendly tech tools is great for operational efficiency, but also check out #12 and #13 for conflicting opinions (me included).
10. Enhanced Access to Resources
Data: 57%: technology improved access to materials and institutional resources.
IMHO: Digital resource accessibility should be a priority in tech integration strategies, with more than 1/2 of colleagues leaning positive. I gotta say that I love asynchronous professional development!
11. Remote Work Enablement
Data: 57% said technology enhanced their ability to work remotely or flexibly.
IMHO: Continued support for remote work technologies is ESSENTIAL.
12. Digital Communication Overload (overlords?)
Data: 44% experienced an overwhelming volume of digital communication.
IMHO: Streamlining communication channels can mitigate information overload.
13. Technology-Induced Distractions
Data: 38% reported more distractions due to technology use.
IMHO: I resemble that data point! I really don’t have anything more to say about this one.
The data from this report shows us that we’re at a tipping point: higher ed folks love the flexibility and power AI and tech bring, but we're also feeling a bit stretched thin by all those notifications and digital overload. The trick, IMHO, is finding a sweet spot where tech makes life easier without drowning out our sense of community. Maybe we keep it human-centered, balanced, and (just maybe) turn off some of our notifications now and then. (Not if you’re my kid, though!)
Source: Gay, Kristen. 2025 EDUCAUSE Teaching and Learning Workforce in Higher Education. EDUCAUSE, April 28, 2025. https://www.educause.edu/content/2025/teaching-and-learning-workforce-in-higher-education
Survey Administration Period: January 9–27, 2025
Survey Structure: The survey comprised 52 questions, both closed- and open-ended. Due to branching logic, some respondents received fewer questions.
Participation: 539 respondents from 388 participating institutions for the teaching and learning domain. Inclusion criteria were based on item completion rate of 30% or more.
Participant Focus: This report specifically analyzes responses from individuals in the teaching and learning domain, which includes roles such as faculty, instructional designers, and instructional technologists.
Data Analysis: Responses were analyzed separately for each workforce domain to identify trends and insights specific to each area.