Higher Education Elearning Sites
Overview
Elearning falls into three primary domains of use: corporate, higher education, and K-12. All three of these domains are a target market for quickly growing for-profit education providers.
Universities and colleges have a mandate beyond simply providing education. Research, neutrality, developing tomorrow's leaders, cultivating a breadth of learning...these all play a role in higher education. In contrast, most corporate learning is geared towards the development of a particular skill or task.
In order for higher education to survive and remain relevant, colleges and universities need to remain true to their existing purposes, while adjusting to meet the needs of today's learners. What does this involve? At the most basic level, universities need to maintain existing objectives (research, holistic education, etc.), but the process to achieve these needs to change. The notion of a "course" or a "program" needs to be evaluated. Concepts like personalized learning paths, prior learning assessment and recognition, and flexible learning are beginning to impact the way in which higher education facilities function. It is important to note that some of the main drivers of change in higher education are not only technology based. Many changes stem from the changing profile of today's student...and higher education must change to meet their needs.
| Higher education will face significant challenges over the next five to ten years. The profile of a student has changed. Previously, college and university hallways were primarily populated with younger students (over-generalization, but largely true). The complexity of our society, and the need for life long learning has altered this profile. Today's student is no longer defined by age, but rather by the need, or desire, for learning to achieve personal goals. |
Resources
Higher
Ed, Inc: The Rise of the For-Profit University
"His position espoused here comes from decades of close observation
of the mechanics, philosophies and struggles for solvency, successful
and not so successful, within academia. Academia is faced with hard economic
choices. These choices may not at all be the choices we thought we perceived
as we gazed through the slits in our tower wall."
Columbia
Interactive
"Welcome to Columbia Interactive, a gateway to e-learning resources
developed at Columbia University. The campus community, alumni, and people
worldwide can now easily access all Columbia has to offer online."
degree.net
"The Degree.net web site and its tie-in line of books were established
to provide quality information on education, both traditional and nontraditional.
We aim to be the number one source of honest, unbiased information on
degree-granting institutions worldwide."
eCollege
"eCollege is an eLearning software and services provider. Comprised
of educators and technologists, eCollege partners with colleges, universities,
schools and corporations to design, build and support high quality learning
communities."
Fathom
"Fathom is the premier destination for authenticated knowledge and
online learning. Fathom's
member institutions present their immense wealth of knowledge across every
area of interest--from business to global affairs, from arts to technology."
Finnish
Virtual University
"This portal provides information about the on-line services offered
by the Finnish Virtual University and by all the universities in Finland,
specifically, on-line courses and support services that are available
to students and instructors."
Illinois
Online Network
Excellent resource site.
McGraw-Hill
Ryerson - Higher Education
"Our mission is to provide higher education teachers with the premier
resources they need to succeed."
Maryland
Faculty Online
"Dedicated to serving Maryland's faculty, Maryland Faculty Online
showcases Maryland's rich instructional resources--experienced and dedicated
faculty, extensive Web sites devoted to instruction and technology, a
collaborative spirit. Working together, we can share our understanding
of online teaching and instructional technology, implement standards and
good practices, and collaborate in the development of technology-based
teaching materials."
NEA
Higher Education
Excellent resource for higher education. Current articles and links to
various organizations.
University of Illinois
Online
Another example of higher education online learning site.
EdNA
Higher education resource site - Australia.
Thomson
Learning - Higher Education
"Whether you’re looking for online learning or traditional
teaching materials, we have the solutions to meet your curriculum needs."
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