Despite
the relentless pressure on higher education to
accomplish more with less funding, colleges and
universities are intensifying their investment in
e-learning, according to an independent survey of
customers of WebCT.
These institutions are relying on the use of
e-learning to enhance education and compete for
students. Thirty-seven percent of the survey's 416
respondents say they have implemented e-learning
institution-wide, up from 25 percent in 2002.
The institutions were likely driven to that decision
by student demand for e-learning and high satisfaction
rates. Student participation in e-learning is growing
at a 31 percent clip, and faculty members are catching
up to the demand with a 44 percent aggregate growth
rate in e-learning participation, according to the
survey.
The survey results indicate e-learning is no longer a
peripheral part of education at colleges and
universities around the world.
"E-learning is a core offering, inextricably
integrated with traditional courses and an
indispensable part of the traditional education
mission," said Villanova University CIO Steve Fugale.
"E-learning is a fundamental component of education
with both students and faculty driving demand.
Students and faculty are enthusiastic about
flexibility, convenience, options and new ways to
learn."
Fully online programs are one key competitive strategy
for colleges and universities. More than four out of
10 institutions surveyed offer fully online degree
programs - a rate that understates its significance
given the challenges of getting online courses
approved by stringent accreditation agencies.
The survey was conducted by Boston-based Atlantic
Research & Consulting in April |
