Trends in Technology - Online Education
1.0 Introduction
Online education is one of the fastest growing trends impacting the expanding global community.
The first virtual class was launched in the early eighties and since then learning has been made more
accessible without restrictions to time and place.
2.0 Online versus Traditional classroom
2.1 Quality of graduate
In whatever discipline, the quality of learning is the same the difference is only in the mode
of learning. An online graduate, however, is better since they would also have learnt to use
modern technology more than the campus student. Take a Business Studies student, for
instance, the one who went to a physical campus knows Business Studies only whereas the
online counterpart will be more conversant with ICT. The level of computer literacy of an
online graduate is high.
2.1 Social Considerations
Student interactions is better in a campus setup. Relationships that help in the learning
process can easily be formed and typically it takes a shorter to graduate.
3.0 Strengths
Before the advent of the Internet, prospective students competed for a place in colleges which were
unable to meet the growing numbers that were annually being offloaded from high school.
Campuses were being expanded at a very high cost in the capital expenditure and time taken to
build yet enrolment could not grow to meet demand . Brooks (2009) the growth in online
enrolments exceeds overall growth of enrolment in higher education in the United States. Colleges
can accommodate more students cheaper. They are able to cater for the working student who
would have to travel abroad leaving work and family for as long as two or more years. This was also
costly for the student. Online education is more flexible in that students access class in their own
time, they are able to fit studying into their regular life. People of all ages and different locations can
learn at the same time. There is active interaction of student tutor as opposed to the traditional way
where the professor writes notes on the board and occasionally stimulate participation by asking
questions. Some students naturally may not be comfortable speaking in class but can find it easier
to contribute in a Blackboard discussion. Brooks (2009).
4.0 Limitations
Shortcomings of online education is the level of computer literacy that is needed and the availability
of technology, i.e hardware, software and network infrastructure. In developing countries online
education is limited to urban areas. There is high demand on bandwidth as there is completion for
bandwidth with other business transactions and social networks.
5.0 Conclusion
I believe the largest use of Internet in business is with online colleges than any other form of
business. In the corporate world people still prefer travelling for meetings over videoconferencing
because of personal gain in travel allowances and the opportunity to see new places.
List of References
Brooks, M. (2009) “The Excellent Inevitability of Online Courses” , The Chronicle of Higher Education
[Online], Available at: [Link] (Accessed : 7 April 2012).
Staff Writers, (July 13 2010) “ Are There Too Many Online Colleges”, [Online], Available at:
[Link] (Accessed: 7 April 2012).
