There’s no denying the shift towards online education is in full effect. Some are a little scared of what this might mean for traditional education, but progress cannot be stopped. The following are some things about this shift that should be highlighted.
Allocation of Resources
The more progressive educational institutions are starting to see the benefits of offering online education rather than in-person education. One of those benefits is that these institutions can allocate some of their resources towards research. Educational institutions have to spend a lot of money on their students and faculty when they’re in school. On top of that, they have to spend money on maintenance, but all that is severely reduced right now. With that saved cash, institution leaders can spend that cash elsewhere.
Growing Respect
Online schools have been around for some time, but the types of degrees and certifications you could earn weren’t all respected. The reality is in-person schools were valued in the workplace. This problem made it hard for folks who worry about their future to take online education seriously, but that’s no longer the case. A California teacher credential earned online is as valuable as a traditionally earned degree in this state and others. This shift is allowing folks to feel good about their choice to study online.
Need to Expand the Web
As the internet continues to become more important, it’s only right to think about the future. The internet used to be something you browse in your spare time. Now it’s giving people access to education, so it’s more of a necessity. This reality is bringing about a new idea: universal internet. In essence, the big broadband companies will have to compete against a government-run internet that everyone should have access to without worrying about an expensive bill. Government-run broadband won’t worry about profit, so it’ll focus on making sure all rural areas obtain the internet, too. Some countries are already moving in that direction, and the US may do the same someday.
Addressing the Digital Divide
The shift towards online education highlights the digital divide. This might not be a topic folk like to discuss, but the reality is there’s a difference between the haves’ web experience and the have nots. People with money have the advantage of owning better cameras, fast laptops, and sophisticated software. Folks who are poor sometimes don’t even have laptops, let alone some of the other things mentioned here. It might not feel great to discuss this problem, but at least the shift is finally highlighting a problem that needs to be addressed.
Reliance on an IT Team
The more tools you have, the more things could go wrong. Faculty and students are now using all sorts of tools, and some of them are quite complex. Ideally, nothing will ever happen to these tools, but you know that something might. When students or the faculty hit a snag, they usually need some help. This is where a good internal IT team comes in handy. These folks can help students or your faculty find a solution so that they can continue learning without further interruptions. The need for dedicated IT teams is essential, and it’s only going to become even more vital.
Now, you know a little more about what this shift towards online education might mean for you and the rest of the world. There are bound to be other changes coming, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to see what else happens.
