Employers Views of Online Education

Originally employers were nothing but skeptical about online degrees. However, online degrees have become more popular and a number of prominent institutions award them, as well as quality institutions that offering degrees predominantly online. Today, employers look to whether the degree is offered by an accredited institution and, similar to traditional degrees, they consider the institution's reputation.

Transforming Education and Extending Its Benefits Around the Globe

Transforming education and extending its benefits to communities around the globe is a complex challenge that requires a combination of institutional, cultural, technological and infrastructure changes. This transformation will require innovative and effective partnerships between governments, development organizations, communities and businesses. Technology can play an important role to expand access to learning, to help empower students and teachers, and to enable schools and education systems to be more significant, successful, and adaptive. In order to transcend the partitions of time, distance, and limited resources that often hinder access to education, software can be a powerful instrument for change.

Possible Negative Impacts of Instructional Technologies

The adoption of new Instructional Technology (IT) should be well thought out with the goal of improved learning central to the planning and implementation process. Presently, there are university programs that help faculty acquire and incorporate new technologies into their teaching. While these programs are important and beneficial, much greater and timely support is necessary for acquiring appropriate equipment, facilities, and training. While encouraging the incorporation of IT throughout campus’, institutions must also recognize the costs involved: costs for equipment, upgrading facilities, maintaining equipment and facilities, and training faculty, staff and students. Funding and support for instructional technologies should be added to the ongoing support for affective traditional approaches.

Higher Education Professionals' Perspective

The recent growth of online education has added a new dimension to college learning that was unthinkable a few decades ago. Knocking down the traditional notion of the "ivory tower" college campus, online education presents an entirely new classroom paradigm, a shift resulting in more opportunities and challenges.

College administrators, faculty and students agree that the most obvious benefit of online education is convenience. Additionally, online education connects students from all over the world, enriching the learning experience by presenting global perspectives in online discussion groups and chat rooms.