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Big Brand On CampusIt started with the rising fuel costs, then came the market crashes.
The downturn economy sure has been the most powerful marketing agent
for the online education industry says a recent survey. Massive
layoffs, hiring freezes, and increases in part-time workers has made a
perfect environment for online universities to thrive. People who have
lots of time on their hands and no opportunity for employment have
taken to affordable education to capture new degrees.
Magazines are reporting that college programs are not worth the money.
Colleges' tuition rates are on the rise.
So what is the future of distance learning, of online education. Well,
a recent survey released from the 2008 National Survey of Student
Engagement (NSSE) indicate students studying with American Public
University System (APUS) have an extremely favorable view of the online
learning system and would overwhelmingly attend again if they could
start their college career over. In fact, ninety-seven percent of
seniors at American Public University System would choose the online
institution again.
If this satisfaction rate is any indication, wouldn't we expect to see
the offspring of these online grads have their children follow in the
same sensible footsteps? Are colleges and universities just the tip of
iceberg? If .edu's make the best educations accessible to everyone with
an internet connection how will it effect the entire educational system
as we know it. Will homeschooling become the norm?