Campus-based technology courses can be expensive.
Saves time - Since you can conduct Online training from any computer with internet access, there is no travel time. Also there is not wasted time conducting tasks that do not apply to you.
Saves money ($$$) – We already know that “time is money” and by saving time, you'll save loads of money. But also, when you conduct this training online compared to what classroom training can cost, the savings really start to add up.
Need a break...take a break – You can log on any hour of the day to take the training, this allows you to break up the course into smaller sections as not to impact your day to day routine.
No cancellations – Our Online classes are done on your schedule and you have total control over when you take it. No longer are classes that you are signed-up and waiting to take get cancelled at the last minute.
Yes, they could actually increase students.
The technology is being used by the students more.
Institution are updating their technology.
1-Accreditation requires students to have technology experience.
2-Increasing enrollments places a strain on existing classroom and labs spaces.
3-Market purposes.
Not only that but accreditation requires students to have technology experience.
We offer online programs as a service to our students since in our culture today students can't afford to come to school four - five days per week. This allows our campus based students to be on campus less but carry a full time load.
Out online only campus allows for a larger geographical disbursement of students.
We are primarily web based with limited physical facilities.
You could use a combination approach. Even students on campus could take online courses to cut down on the physical plant and allow greater flexibility. At my school students will commute to other schools to get lower costs for classes and classes that aren't offered at their primary school.
Online teaching would allow you to add courses currently unavailabe due to space limitations and allow more competition with larger more expensive schools.
In time, we might want to consider international online classes, teaching students in other English speaking countries. Highly specialized courses like psychoanalysis would be prime candidates.
I was unaware of current international student offerings. Can Americans take online courses from overseas?
There is only limited physical plant. Besides, students enrollment is very limited by using physical plant alone. We try to build an online community of students designed to serve their needs by creating in particular programs that can be effectively taught online. Besides, currently that's were the growth is.
One of the main reasons our institution offers online courses is to reach the students in small towns and rural areas of the state. In this way, we can serve more students over a wide range of areas in the two states we are located.
Many of our students are not considered "traditional students", most are between the ages of 30-65, have worked in an industry for many years, have been laid off due to plant closings and need to be retrained to get back in the workforce. These students are very nervous to begin with, are hesitant to be around younger students (as they make them feel old, useless and stupid. It is much easier for them to deal with an instructor on-line or come in for one-on -one instruction if needed.
Our institution offers all courses on-line and has been very successful in staying competitive with the other schools in the area. The students enjoy the experience as they can take courses around their own schedule- it also gives them an edge in the technology world they need as many of them have never taken computer courses or used the computer for more than sending emails .
Like many schools, some of the reasons our institution offers online programs or courses of study include:
1) Competition - our institution must compete with other institutions for students.
2) Flexibility - offering online courses allows our students to take classes that they may otherwise not be able to take due to their schedules.
3) Attract more students
4) Part of our mission statement is to provide a "learning environment that is flexible and accessible to a geographically diverse and multicultural population..." Offering online programs and courses allows us to do that.
To motivate adult students and instructors in the process of learning and teaching English as a second language which is our field.
There are several reasons that I could list. However, I believe that the most important reason is that technology has and continues to become increasingly popular with students. In addition, the delivery of online instruction has become a skill that instructors need to have in todays world of teaching. Last, these skills allow instructors to place instruction of material in a different mode that will help students with various learning styles.
The majority of the students are now middle-age, working, single parents who are not able to participate in a traditional classroom setting. Having the flexibility of completing the course assignments is a positive marketing concept for many of these students.
Many students do not realize the true time committment to an online course and the instructor must remain committed to the student through out the course. Students need to balance their life style to succed in online education.
The Health Information Technology Program will be the first totally online program offered by our institution. It was decided to offer the program online to remain competitive and to reach out to the working student. By making this program online, it forced the redesign of all the gen ed courses as well.
Also by offering online courses helps the student to succeed in the technology driven work environment.
Jessica - I agree with you regarding saving money relating to computer labs. IT is costly to properly managed a computer lab with currently technology. By having the courses online, the students absorb that cost.
My Institution began offering Online programs to better service our particular student population. Nontraditional students with families do not always have the luxury of pursuing higher education due their circumstances. An Online program allows them to do so. Implementing Online programs not only allowed us to service students in our community but all over the United States.
we need to expand our service area. We have a unique program that is not offered anywhere and would like for people, starting in Florida, to take it.
