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Online Learning News and Research
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Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Adding Cupboards versus Building a House: The Difference Between Courses and a Degree Program - Katrina A. Meyer, Inst Tech and Dist Learning
Distance learning is at a crossroads. From its earliest manifestations as correspondence schools, it has evolved into online learning available anytime, anywhere. It has grown, and continues to grow, in student enrollments, courses offered, and programs available. From 1997-98 to 2000-01, the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, 1999; 2003) tracked a growth of 134% in courses offered (from 54,470 to 127,400), 126% growth in enrollments (from 1,363,670 to 3 million), 128% growth in degree programs (from 1230 to 2810), and a 291% growth in certificate programs (from 340 to 1330) at U.S. colleges and universities. Undoubtedly, these figures have continued to grow, despite the recent difficulties in the economy. Of course, many of these offerings are not online: no data as yet has provided a clear picture of how extensive the online phenomena has become. But no distance education director doubts that the growth in student enrollments continues unabated and will likely continue to grow for some time to come, despite economic recessions, war, and downturns in state funding.
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