Global Trends in Distance and Continuing Higher Education

1
Global Trends in Distance and Continuing Higher
Education

• A
• Presentation By
• John F. Ebersole
• Associate Provost Dean
• Extended Education
• Boston University
• And
• President
• University Continuing Education Association
  (UCEA)
• July 2002
• Puebla, Mexico

2
World Population

• 6 Billion, 2001 EST (CIA)
• Age 0-14 30
• Under 20 near 50
• Daniels Quote

3
Global Economy

• Workforce Training/Re-trainingTo add 100 million
  FTE Adult Students Worldwide (Dolence Norris,
  1995)
• EU Declares 10-year Mission to Become the Most
  Competitive and Dynamic Knowledge-based Economy
  in the World. Lifelong Learning is core element
  of this strategy.

4
Canada

• In the new, global knowledge economy of the 21st
  century prosperity depends on innovation, which,
  in turn, depends on the investments that we make
  in the creativity and talents of our people. We
  must invest not only in technology and innovation
  but also, in the Canadian way, to create an
  environment of inclusion, in which all Canadians
  can take advantage of their talents, their skills
  and their ideas.
• Jean Chretian
• Prime Minister of Canada
• Knowledge Matters 2002

5
Other Countries with Learning/Education
Development Strategies

• Brazil
• China
• India

• Spain
• Scandinavia
• Singapore

• Others

6
Education as Export

• 12.3 Billion Income to U.S. from International
  Students
• Commonwealth Countries (UK, Canada, Australia,
  New Zealand) Have Government Support to Recruit
  Internationally
• Malaysia Competing with Singapore to Create
  Education Center of SE Asia.

7
The Death of Distance

• Use of Technology to Deliver Education
• Video
• Web
• Internet
• CD Rom
• Print

• Growth in Online Institutions (virtual
  universities) and Programs (1000 degree
  certificate programs U.S. only)

8
Trends in U.S. Distance Education

• Greater Use of Online Technologies
• More For-Profit Virtual Universities
• Not Source of Quick Profits
• Traditional Brick Mortar Institutions have Edge
• Moving to Third Generation Production Values

9
Global Trends

• Blended Applications
• Use of Centers for Delivery
• Importance of Cultural Sensitivity
• The importance of designing online courses from
  the very beginning for the global campus cannot
  be overemphasized, the time and cost involved
  will almost certainly be repaid many times over
  with a student body that is satisfied with the
  quality of their experience.
• Bates, 1999

10
Lessons Learned

• Importance of Instructional Design
• Keep It Useful,
• Keep It Real,
• Keep It Simple U.S. News World
  Report 6/24/02
• Access to Technology Varies, Bandwidth
  Restrictions
• Acceptance Not Universal
• Learning Styles Not Always Considered

11
Issues

• Portability of Credit, Credentials
• Quality
• Increasing Regulation

12
The Future

• Lifelong Learning (CHE) an Imperative
• Technology Essential for Access
• Need for CHE Professionals
• Growth of Alliances and Partnerships
• Education Big Business