Added: 11/16/2005 |
Education online- a customized response to the higher educational changesA distance education online early correspondence format has evolved into an Internet-based multi-media, interactive virtual learning environment that may use the Internet or other technological systems for distance learning classrooms. New technologies along with the economic environment are shaping a "different" university, as they fundamentally change the educational atmosphere. The market for education online has also increased exponentially, since the nation's social and economic structure undergoes a radical change.
The decision to embrace or reject new technologies, expand market opportunities and engage in cooperative activities has created a real strategic question that institutions face today. Each university will need to customize its response to the higher educational changes.
A relationship of education online with the traditional education has always been unclear. First, it was an outside traditional education, then it was on the fringe of education, shunned by the academy. Lately, based on its growing use in traditional universities, education online is described in the literature and by practitioners as being "mainstreamed". Consequently, distance education opportunities are now being integrated into the mainstream of the higher education environment.
The significant progress in education online proves to be true, as more and more universities and colleges are purchasing or using distance education (DE) course management systems, rather than using home-grown systems or creating courses in HTML. These systems have improved drastically in the last three years and now include many options for a better support of DE teaching and learning. The usage of course management systems indicates that vendors are listening to the users of their products.
Education online is always quite different than learning in a traditional classroom setting. The benefits of online education programs for students contain a flexibility, convenience and cost-effective educational opportunities anywhere and anytime. The online education provides an access to information sources and teaching institutions around the world to anyone with an access to a computer, modem and telephone lines. Such access to information is especially important to students in rural and other isolated environments. The new technologies, incorporated into the curriculum, make learning more interesting and enriching.
Nevertheless, the courses, taught in the online format, hold many challenges for a learner and educator alike. The challenges comprise the need for a computer literacy and navigation skills, greater electronic connection capabilities and concerns over isolation. Within the online classes, students must not only learn the course material, but also the technology skills, needed to participate in the class. The online learning format places the burden on students to initiate the learning process and to assume a primary responsibility for the learning experience.
Many students enjoy the convenience of the online experience, but some are ill prepared to initiate the basic tenets of the work. The online educational experience can be more stimulating and encouraging more critical thinking, only if the students have a clear understanding of this new learning venue.
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