Online Learning Growing Despite Troubled Economy

Posted by in Uncategorized Nov 19th, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Gabor Izso

According to recent studies, online learning is expected to grow despite (or perhaps because of) the troubled economy.

Inside Higher Education reports:

"In fall 2007, the study reports, some 3.94 million students enrolled in at least one online course, an increase of 12.9 percent over the previous year. That falls between the 9.7 percent growth for fall 2006 and the 19.7 compound annual rate since fall 2002. In comparison, total student enrollments increased 1.2 percent in the year leading up to last fall, while the compound annual rate for all enrollments since 2002 was 1.6 percent…

And the growth might continue thanks to a stagnating economy, according to most of the survey's respondents, which would align with previous experience in which a deteriorating job market leads to more enrollments. The trend also reinforces reports earlier this year that community colleges, especially, were encouraging students to take courses online to save on commuting costs."

Hopefully the growing popularity of online learning will further legitimize the choice, even after the economy recovers.

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