How Long Distance Learning Has Changed Education
While long distance learning isn't an altogether novel concept, internet technologies have made it increasingly widespread and effective.
Long distance learning is growing in popularity. Most 2-year and 4-year postsecondary institutions now offer distance education courses. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 97 percent of public 2-year postsecondary schools and 89 percent of public 4-year schools offer distance education options. And in the 2006-2007 there were about 11,200 college-level programs designed to be completely distance-education, and that number is expected to rise throughout the next decade.
Students have more options. Decades ago traditional students made up a majority of the undergraduate campus - men and women just out of high school, who lived on campus during the semester and went home to their parents on breaks. But as long distance learning evolves, more students enter the workforce earlier in life and earn their degrees in the evenings. This has dramatically changed the lifestyles of college-aged students.
Increased globalization. American students earning UK degrees, Indian students earning MIT engineering certificates - long distance learning has made the world a much smaller place. Because many students use social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Skype, there are literally no national boundaries. And members of the military who are suddenly deported overseas can also continue their degree through long distance learning.