ONLINE LEARNING’S GROWTH

Without something resembling a liberal arts education, combined with an extensive vocabulary, in-depth thinking becomes restricted.  Without the skills training one receives in high school and college, as well as from corporate training departments, the ability to excel in one’s chosen career becomes limited.

In terms of the former, most individuals are on their own as a liberal arts education becomes more and more de-emphasized.  No worry, however, for those motivated individuals who choose to pursue the study of great thought and wisdom.  Books remain readily available and the internet is opening up almost limitless possibility.

When it comes to skills training, the advent of online learning has exploded the possibilities.  Never before has such excellent training for careers, or specific tasks, been so widely available.  Online learning is reaching around the world.  Never have we had so many useful opportunities within our grasp.  For as long as one has computer access and a high speed connection, the world of skills learning is at hand.

Let’s examine some facts regarding this exploding growth in online learning:

“The number of U.S. students who enrolled in at least one online course rose by 5.6 percent between fall 2015 and fall 2016 – a faster rate than in the previous three years, according to a 2018 report published by the Babson Survey Research Group.

 Jeff Seaman, co-director of Babson and a co-author of the study, expects this trend to persist in 2018, likely with another single-digit percentage increase to mark the 15th consecutive year of enrollment growth. Seaman also says the number of students who only take on-campus courses will probably keep dropping, in part because more students are combining online and in-person learning.”  (U.S. News and World Report, “4 Expectations for Online Education in 2018” by Jordan Friedman)

On the Training side of the ledger, corporate America is ahead of the pack.  Online learning is growing rapidly as the training media of choice.  The private business sector has discovered that their goals of growth and profitability can be greatly enhanced through online training initiatives.  And, because most online learning is produced in this country, the rapid exporting of meaningful education and training is exploding. 

People want to learn.  They always have.  Whether one is intrigued by the history of ideas and/or the learning-path to a better future, online learning is making all of that more possible than it has ever been before. 

And, it’s going to keep getting bigger and better!

More on Wednesday  –  –  –

 

   — Bill Walton, co-Founder, ITC Learning

 March 19, 2018

  www.itclearning.com/blog/  (Mondays & Wednesdays)

 “THE WORLD RELIES ON THE HANDS OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN”

 (This is a personal blog.  Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner, jhbillwalton@gmail.com, an independent consultant.  They do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in a professional or personal capacity.)