Learning in the 21rst Century: The Educational Playing Field Is Leveled

by: Rose Musyoka

“I never try to teach my students anything, I only try to create an environment in which they can learn.” --- Albert Einstein The 21rst century is going to change how people learn and earn their degrees of choice. Many of the worlds’ top universities are studying distance learning’s many trends, so they’ll be ready for an entirely new type of student emerging today – distance learners. It is projected by both International Data Corporation and Gartner Group that the majority of students in colleges and universities throughout the world. Consider the factors that the top universities around the world are looking at, and be encouraged that the future of advanced education is coming to a personal computer near you. The educational playing field is getting leveled; and it’s making it much more affordable and available for anyone looking to improve themselves: Women have outnumbered men on college campuses since 1979, and are 60% of distance or online learning students who are over 25. For many women who are already committed to their families, communities and friends, interrupting their lives – especially those who are mothers – is very tough. Distance learning is going to give more women than ever before a chance to improve themselves, than has ever been possible in the past. What’s so exciting about this is the chance for women to achieve their potentials while caring for their family, friends and community. Foreign students no longer hindered by visas or green cards. For literally millions of students who want to attend universities in nations other than their native one, the hassles of getting even a visa to stay for a semester or year at a time are over. International Data Corporation predicts that 500,000+ foreign students, or 3.5% of total postsecondary enrollees, study online and spend over $13 billion over the time of their degrees. Gartner Group sees the potential of 1.6 million international distance-learning candidates by 2005. With the pervasive adoption of Internet access on virtually every continent, Gartner Group sees major growth globally for distance learning in highly developed and emerging nations as well. International Data Corporation predicts that by 2005 there will be 45 million users online in higher education alone. At the heart of why so many universities are focused on distance learning is that by 2005, the online education market will be $215B in revenue. Given the escalating costs of in-class courses and tuition fees, the worlds’ universities have no choice but to embrace distance learning and reach students where they are, with new programs that are affordable for those students on a global scale. Summary It’s a very bright future for anyone interested in getting to their educational goals with online learning programs. The worlds’ universities continue to see their costs escalate up for their traditional programs; online and distance learning is a low-cost approach for them to reach double or even triple the students they teach today. The bottom line is that the playing field for anyone in the world looking to better themselves through distance learning is getting leveled daily – a quality education is as close as a personal computer with an internet connection.
About The Author
Rose Musyoka is the editor of http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you find answers, information and advice on distance learning colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See more related information at http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/distance-learning-colleges.html and http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/college-accreditation.html.
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