The Growth of Distance Learning

DISTANCE Learning istance learning used to be a cumbersome and uncertain alternative to the traditional classroom experience. However, Internet technology has made digital learning more interactive, and drastically improved the quality of these programs. The U.S. Department of Education has been tracking enrollment in distance learning programs since 1999. Its most recent report shows a The Growth of Distance Learning Programs Among Today's College Students significant jump in distance learning enrollment among undergraduate students. How popular have these programs become, and what might these trends hold for the future? ENROLLMENT IN DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES ON THE RISE Between 1998 and 2008, the number of students selecting distance learning courses as a part of their regular college curriculum increased by a whopping 150 percent. PERCENT OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN AT LEAST ONE DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE 10 15 20 25 6% 1999-2000 16% 2003-2004 20% 2007-2008 While 2008 is the last official tally of distance enrollment, projections show that online learning won't be slowing down any time soon. By 2013, 18 percent of undergraduate students are predicted to receive 80 percent or more of their education through online courses. - ENROLLMENT BY FIELD OF STUDY ED Participation in distance learning programs is not equal across all degree programs. Computer and information science majors have the highest level of enrollment. PERCENT OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN AT LEAST ONE ONLINE COURSE (MAJOR) 30 25 27% 24% | 23% 20 22% 22% 15 17% 16% 14% 14% 10 General Studies + Other Health Care Natural Science, Mathematics, + Agriculture Computer + Information Sciences Humanities Business Education Social Sciences Engineering The Education Department also shows that participation in distance learning courses is highest at the associate's degree level. PERCENT OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN AT LEAST ONE ONLINE COURSE (DEGREE LEVEL) |13% Certificate 25% Associate's Degree 17% Bachelor's Degree 5 10 15 20 25 OLDER, MARRIED STUDENTS WITH CHILDREN ARE THE MOST LIKELY CANDIDATES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING Though cutting-edge Internet technology is often thought of as a Students with significant work obligations also tend to choose hallmark of the young, participation in distance learning programs distance learning programs over their non-working peers, likely is actually higher among older students. for the flexible schedule such programs offer. DISTANCE LEARNING PARTICIPATION (AGE GROUP) DISTANCE LEARNING PARTICIPATION (EMPLOYMENT STATUS) 10 15 20 25 30 10 15 20 25 30 s23 15% 27% 23 or younger Full-time Employment 24-29 26% Part-time Employment 17% 24-29 30+ 30% 16% 30 or older Not Employed Adult students often have family obligations that their younger peers lack. Distance learning courses provide a more convenient and flexible way to learn. This is especially notable when examining participation in terms of marital status and number of dependants. DISTANCE LEARNING PARTICIPATION (MARITAL STATUS) DISTANCE LEARNING PARTICIPATION (NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS) 10 20 30 40 50 10 15 20 25 30 32% 29% None Married 18% One or More 18% Single or Separated THE REAL BENEFITS OF DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS ED MOBILITY FLEXIBILITY Students who have family and career obligations no longer have Online learning enables students to review lecture materials and core reading assignments at their own pace, rather than just during the length of a lecture. to worry about commuting to a campus. With online courses, any place with an Internet connection becomes a functional classroom. ACCEPTANCE AFFORDABILITY Research performed by the Society for Human Resource Management in 2010 finds that 87 percent of employers agree that Online courses reduce costs associated with maintaining online degrees are viewed more favorably than five years ago. classrooms and holding lectures. These savings are passed on in the form of lower prices per online class. Sources: Course Hero http://www.calvin.edu/-dsc8/documents/EduventuresOnlineHigherEdMarket2008.pdf http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2012/2012154.pdf http://www.braintrack.com/online-colleges/articles/are-online-degrees-respected-differently-by-employers Learn. Share. Teach. Achieve.