How do you take your growth? Linear, geometric, or exponential?
“Moore’s Law”—the observation that the number of transistors on a chip would double approximately every two years while costs decrease—has long been a proxy for the overall growth of technology. While physical limitations and a shift away from transistor-based chips have overtaken Moore’s specific observations—he originally called his 1965 thesis “Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits”—the postulate that technology advances exponentially remains plainly valid, supported by new ideas like Ray Kurzweil’s “Law of Accelerating Returns”.
The slightly overwhelmed response from academia: “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Nowhere is keeping up with the growth of technology—and indeed, of knowledge itself—a greater challenge than in academia. Not only must we understand new concepts, methods, and applications, we must be able to communicate them to others. To teach them. And we must constantly be exploring new ways to teach.
Which leads to the unavoidable conclusion that educators must be prepared to refresh curricula on a regular basis to remain current and relevant. To be fair, this isn’t about fixing something that’s broken—it’s about protecting and enhancing the value of academic assets that are already performing well. A proactive refresh strategy signals intentional stewardship: ensuring courses continue to meet high standards for engagement, accessibility, and workforce alignment.
The only constant is change.
The evolution of technology isn’t the only change impacting academia:
- Student expectations, priorities, and preferred learning modalities have shifted radically in the last decades.
- The needs of industry—which largely drives the speed of technology growth—have also changed, with a greater demand for workplace-ready graduates skilled not only in their area of expertise, but in the overall machinations of the working world.
- The growing role of technology, particularly AI, in all industries means that even the most stable academic pursuits (history, literature, art) also need refreshing. In other words, the importance of updating content for currency extends beyond in-demand high tech fields as digital fluency is a requirement in almost all workplaces.
- Recent federal educational policies underscore the importance of integrating technology and data analytics into teaching and learning processes, while also navigating the government’s efforts to influence the role of higher education in society writ large.
- The importance of lifelong learning has never been more evident as it is estimated that by the end of this year, 85 million jobs could be replaced or altered, but 97 million new roles will be created for those with the right skills.
Without routine course refresh cycles, programs risk drifting out of sync with the very learners and employers they aim to serve. We’ll look more closely at some of the pitfalls of neglecting content refreshes in the next article. Right now, let’s look at the benefits of keeping content current and relevant.
Regularly refreshed content pays dividends
Keeping up with the accelerating growth of knowledge and technology is an unavoidable fact of academic life, but it pays off in a variety of ways for students, industry, and the community. It is important to note that making smaller, more frequent updates is more cost-effective and less labor-intensive than waiting too long and having to make broader or even wholesale changes.
Improved student attraction, engagement, and retention
A modernized curriculum that is interactive, project-based, and utilizes the latest learning methods generates higher retention rates and better academic outcomes, as students are more likely to persist in their studies and succeed both in college and in their subsequent careers. Similarly, an institution that is known for keeping its content current is attractive to prospects facing the difficult decision of which school to select. All of this results in increased and persistent enrollment which provide an added level of institutional financial stability.
A 2023 report from McKinsey & Company found that 58% of college students felt their coursework was not aligned with current job market demands, leading to decreased engagement and questioning the ROI of higher education.
Enhanced Graduate Employability
By aligning academic programs with emerging industry needs—including strategic integration of AI—students will graduate with the skills that employers are actively seeking, which often extend beyond the student’s area of focus. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies eight “Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce” that are universally in demand by employers, regardless of field:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Integrating these skills, along with the latest advances in the field of study, can result in more career-ready graduates, improved employment rates for the university’s job placement programs, and ultimately increased enrollments. Whether for students in traditional degree paths or those pursuing non-degree credentials and micro-pathways that can stack into degrees, alignment with industry needs is increasingly important as students and families scrutinize the return on investment of higher education.
The AAC&U (Association of American Colleges & Universities) found that 46% of employers rated recent graduates as “not well prepared” in areas such as data analysis, critical thinking, and use of modern tools—competencies often missing in outdated programs.
Competitive Advantage in the Education Market
A university that consistently updates its curriculum to reflect the latest technological advancements and offers skill-forward, modular content is well-positioned to serve both traditional students and lifelong learners. A culture of currency also projects an image of innovation and responsiveness to changing industry and societal needs.
In a Strada Education Network survey, 69% of prospective students cited “alignment with career skills” as a top criterion in school selection—far outweighing cost or prestige.
Enhancing Research, Innovation, and Industry Relations
A refreshed curriculum not only benefits students but also fosters a culture of innovation. By introducing AI and other new technologies into the classroom, universities create opportunities for research into new applications, technologies, and methodologies, positioning themselves as pioneers in academic and technological advancements.
A LinkedIn Learning report in 2024 highlighted that companies are more likely to partner with universities that offer up-to-date training programs, with 63% saying outdated curricula deter them from recruitment relationships.
Upskilling and attracting lifelong learners
Adult learners face many of the same challenges as institutions and instructors when it comes to keeping up with the pace of technology and knowledge growth. Existing responsibilities to family and employer (and self), lead prospects to seek ways of future-proofing their skill sets without derailing their personal or professional lives.
Higher education institutions are in a unique position to meet and monetize this opportunity. Maintaining up-to-date content through refreshes or development of new units and embracing new learning modalities that offer greater flexibility to students lets universities tap into the enormous upside potential of this underserved audience. These initiatives address critical skill gaps, enhance employability, and ensure that graduates and working professionals remain relevant in a fast-evolving job market.
Universities offering microcredentials and stackable courses have seen rapid enrollment growth, sometimes outpacing traditional degree programs. The World Economic Forum estimates that large-scale upskilling initiatives could add trillions of dollars to global GDP and create millions of new jobs.
Is Your Course a Candidate for Refresh? A Quick Litmus Test for Readiness
If more than one of the following signs applies to a course or program in your portfolio, it’s likely time to consider a refresh. Whether it’s outdated content, declining student engagement, or a mismatch with today’s workforce needs, these are early indicators that a once-strong course may now be quietly falling behind.
- Curriculum Currency
- The core content hasn’t changed in over two years.
- Industry tools, platforms, or terminology in the course are no longer in active use.
- Readings and case studies haven’t been updated with recent examples or data.
- Student & Faculty Feedback
- Students report feeling confused, disengaged, or underwhelmed.
- Faculty find it harder to teach the course due to shifts in the field.
- Course evaluations or satisfaction scores have dropped in recent years.
- Industry Alignment
- Job requirements or workforce expectations have changed significantly.
- Graduates struggle to land roles aligned with the course learning outcomes.
- Employer partners have expressed concern about graduates’ preparation.
- Pedagogical & Technological Fit
- The course lacks digital fluency components—AI, data, or media literacy—relevant to the field.
- Assessments haven’t evolved to reflect real-world deliverables or standards.
- The course delivery mode no longer matches how students prefer or need to learn.
We’ve created this Mini Diagnostic Tool: Does Your Program Need a Refresh to help guide you.
Not because it failed—but because the world around it changed.
Noodle’s phased refresh process helps you address these gaps strategically, without starting from scratch. We preserve what’s working, elevate what needs improvement, and future-proof your program to stay competitive and compelling.
