EXPANDING DEMAND FOR ONLINE HIGHER EDUCATION: SURVEYING PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

The Eduventures survey examined next-generation demand for online postsecondary education, assessing online experience, delivery mode and marketing channels preferences, and perceptions of price, quality and location, identifying key takeaways in each area

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Whatever Happened to the Promise of Online Learning?

International Higher Education ◽

10.6017/ihe.2019.97.10935 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 2-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard Garrett

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Online Learning ◽

Cost Containment ◽

Quality Enhancement ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Stages Of Development ◽

Online Higher Education ◽

The World

This article synthesizes the evolution of, and prospects for, online higher education around the world. Different national online higher education models and stages of development are outlined. Online learning is judged by the extent to which the delivery mode has addressed higher education’s core challenges of wider access, quality enhancement, and cost containment.

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Employers' Perceptions of Online Degree Programs

Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, Second Edition ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-198-8.ch126 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 898-906

Author(s):

Judith C. Simon ◽

Jollean K. Sinclaire ◽

Lloyd D. Brooks ◽

Ronald B. Wilkes

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Postsecondary Education ◽

Degree Programs ◽

Wall Street ◽

For Profit ◽

Online Higher Education ◽

Online Degree ◽

The Wall Street Journal ◽

Online Schools ◽

The Web

The opportunities for students to take courses, and entire degree programs, online continue to increase, as many traditional colleges and universities have developed programs to compete with for-profit online schools that have proliferated in recent years. In 2003, The Wall Street Journal reported “an estimated 350,000 students are enrolled in fully online degree programs” (Dunham, 2003). In 2005, it was estimated that “more than 1 million students are seeking degrees entirely via the Web” (Tosto, 2005). According to Eduventures, “growth rates for online higher education greatly exceed those projected for U.S. postsecondary education overall (approximately 2%), positioning online higher education as a major growth engine” (Eduventures, 2007).

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Readiness of Universities for 21st Century Digital Economies: Case of Selected Lecturers from Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape Province South Africa

International Journal of Community Development and Management Studies ◽

10.31355/42 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 065-077

Author(s):

Agyei Fosu

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

21St Century ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Learning Management Systems ◽

Management Systems ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Next Generation ◽

Web Based ◽

Web Based Learning ◽

Learning Management

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge base on factors likely to impede implementation and adoption of web-based learning management systems to blend with traditional methods of lecturing in universities to cater for the next generation of learners in Africa and Eastern Cape Province South Africa in particular. Background........................................................................................................................................................................................................ The shift from the industrial economies to 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies, fueled by rapid Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Internet, YouTube, Chartrooms, Skype, Social media networks and its introduction to the educational system not only resulted in a new teaching approach globally but also paved way to usher in new generation of learners (anytime, anywhere learners) in the higher education system. Despite the fact that universities and other institutions of higher education in developed countries and some Africa countries have since recognized that the 21st century global digital and knowledge-based economies evolution has ushered in the next generation of learners, and as a result have taken the necessary steps to blend the traditional method of lecturing in higher education with web-based learning management systems in order to accommodate these learners. However, in Africa not much research have been done on the readiness of higher education institutions in terms of blending web-based learning management systems with the traditional method of lecturing to cater for the next generation of learners. Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................................... Quantitative and two non-probability sampling methods, namely, quota and purposive sampling was used to investigate the technological skills of selected lecturers from universities within Buffalo City Metropolitan as one of the core component to check the readiness of their faculty for the next generation of learners. Contribution........................................................................................................................................................................................................ This research will add to the growing knowledge about the blending of web-based learning management with the traditional style of lecturing in higher education in the 21st century digital economies. Findings.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. The results indicated that the participating lecturers need to be trained and sup-ported in the skills of using of the ICTs and computer programs applicable to enhance web-based learning in teaching and learning environment in higher education in order to cater for the next generation of learners associated with the 21st century digital economies. Recommendations for Practitioners................................................................................................................................................................. Much as there is a need for increased in investment in infrastructure within higher education institutions to support teaching and learning, continuous sup-port and training for academics to be technologically literate and also be abreast on rapidly evolving field of ICTs is paramount as it can expedite the teaching and learning process in higher education. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................... There is the need to explore in depth the other two components suggested by Mishra and Koehler (2007) which can serve as barriers for successfully integration of technology into teaching and learning by locus of knowledge. Impact on Society............................................................................................................................................................................................... The research will assist stakeholders, policy makers and agencies tasked with transforming institutions of higher learning to identify the barriers likely to hinder transformation efforts and address them accordingly. Future Research................................................................................................................................................................................................. Conducting research on technological skills of students are critical in this context.

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Internet-based Online Higher Education in Nepal Amidst COVID-19

10.35542/osf.io/r85bc ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ashis Acharya ◽

Nabaraj Poudyal ◽

Ganesh Lamichhane ◽

Babita Aryal ◽

Bibek Raj Bhattarai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Human Life ◽

The Internet ◽

Online Classes ◽

Traditional Concept ◽

Digital Platforms ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Online Higher Education ◽

Alternative Means ◽

The Government

The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected all aspects of human life, with education, not an exception. In an attempt to stop the SARS-CoV-2 spreading like wildfire, the Government of Nepal has implemented nationwide lockdowns since March 24, 2020, that have enforced schools and universities to shut down. As a consequence, more than four hundred thousand students of various levels in higher education institutions (HEIs) are in a dilemma about restoring the situation. Several HEIs, nationwide, have leaped forward from the traditional concept of learning—limited within the boundary of the classroom—to choosing digital platforms as an alternative means of teaching because of the pandemic. For this research, the descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out to investigate the effects and challenges of learning via digital platforms during this pandemic. Data were collected from students and faculty at various levels of higher education and analyzed statistically with different factors using t-test and ANOVA, and variables were found to be approximately normally distributed. The study revealed that 70% of the respondents had access to the Internet, but 36% of the Internet accessed did not continue online classes due to unexpected disturbance in Internet and electrical connectivity. Likewise, 65% of students did not feel comfortable with online classes, and among attendees of online classes, 78% of students want to meet the instructor for a better understanding of course matters. According to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, three factors, such as institutional policy, internet access, and poverty, are found to be significant factors affecting the online higher education systems in Nepal. On the brighter side, this outbreak has brought ample opportunities to reform the conventional teaching-learning paradigm in Nepal.

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