Is a global recession good for distance learning institutions?

Is a global recession good for distance learning institutions?

Much has been written about the effects of economic crisis on education recently. In January, Chris Wall (vice-chairman of Ogilvy, American advertisers who have just embarked on a high-profile e-Learning advertising campaign) stated that ‘”When the economy goes down, people go back to school,” an opinion that has more recently been echoed by the comments of OU Wales director, Rob Humphreys regarding the important “role of part-time HE study in outsmarting the recession.” In all, the ‘credit crunch’ has been seen as an opportunity for this sector to shine, and I for one was enthusiastic at the prospect of witnessing a meteoric rise in online education enrolments.
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nHowever, recent news regarding Skidmore College, USA, may warn us that the recession might be more difficult for distance learning courses, than we had first thought. In an article at timesunion.com, the college was reported to be considering ending their well-established business online study program due to lacking funds, declines in enrolment, and an increasingly competitive environment in which they might not be able to survive.
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nThe reason I believe this to be such a worrying blow is twofold. Not only has the USA’s embrace and progression of distance earning, online education, and home schooling become a guiding beacon for the rest of the world. But also, Skidmore itself is no e-Learning upstart. The distance learning program, called University Without Walls, began as far back as 1971 just 11 years after The Open University in the UK. Since then, the institution has established itself as a pioneer in the field offering learners a singular or combinational means to earn a degree via online courses, independent studies, and on-campus classes at Skidmore or other schools – as well as recently becoming heralded as a “New Ivy” by Newsweek and Kaplan.
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nSubsequently, the possible plans have sparked some criticism from students and alumni alike, with some claiming that promotion of the services have been disappointing, whilst others are stunned and saddened at the loss of a uniquely personal distance learning program.
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nWhether the plans go through or not, these discussions have highlighted some key points that should be taken into account during such an unstable financial time. Despite enrolments in distance learning being on the rise in the US and UK, it seems that each institution will have to realise that they are now in tough competition with other institutions on a global scale, as more and more courses and subjects are offered via e-Learning around the world. Institutions will also have to start becoming much more promotional regarding exactly what they can offer, both on and offline, if they expect to survive the downturn.
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Posted Date: 2009-05-07 00:14:45