There has been an unprecedented growth in online courses. In order to keep up to the pace of the global competition and survive the change, UK universities must adapt this popular alternative to the conventional learning system. This form of innovative learning is flexible and has a wide range of funding options. According to the chief education adviser at Pearson, Sir Michael Barber, online courses are posed to be a threat as well as an opportunity for the universities in UK.
Online Learning - A Threat to UK Universities
The option of online learning is gaining immense popularity among students in a large scale. The flexibility of these courses in terms of location and schedule is an attractive feature for them.
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Sir Michael Barber explains in his report for the Institute for Public Policy Research, that the large universities "Mark themselves out of the crowd" so that they are not swept away by the "avalanche of change", he said.
might struggle to survive this change but the mediocre might face extinction. They have to,He considers “standing still” as the most dangerous option. According to him, the complacent universities will be most at risk. He says it would not surprise him if such an interruption would result in the closing down of some universities within a decade.
A number of large US universities are offering a host of online courses to students irrespective of their location. Already two US conglomerates have signed up about two million students for their online courses. They have partnered with numerous universities from Europe, Asia and US to provide these courses.
Opportunity in disguise
This threat could also be considered as an opportunity in disguise for the UK universities. The unstoppable rise in demand for online courses has given the UK universities an opportunity for expansion and growth in the field of online learning.
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Universities minister, David Willetts, while addressing the Guardian Higher Education Summit, stressed on the immediate need to invest in online courses by the UK universities. He termed it as a "historic opportunity" for the UK universities.
The escalating demand for university courses, especially in countries like India and Indonesia are expected to be an important market for UK universities. According to the minister this demand has to be met not only by campus universities but also by online courses.
MOOCs - massive open online courses provide the students an access to online lectures, courses, videos and interactive forums from eminent universities around the globe. It is expected to bring a revolution in the education scenario of the world.
He welcomed the announcement of the launch of an initiative where 12 UK universities have come together to provide a host of free online courses with an idea to make higher education much more easily accessible to students around the globe. "Massive open online courses (MOOCs) present an opportunity for us to widen access to, and meet the global demand for higher education. This is growing rapidly in emerging economies like Brazil, India and China, the minister said.
This partnership among the UK universities is expected to provide a challenge to the US universities that have been commanded the growing market.
Online learning impacting the market
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It will be easier for students to study under a UK university and receive a UK degree sitting in any part of the world. This could revolutionise conventional models of formal education, says Universities Minister David Willetts.
A number of online courses in UK universities are being offered by numerous learning communities. The courses are affordable and flexible. The levels include diploma as well as doctorate. This has had a significant influence on the market thus attracting several undergraduates as well as working professionals who wish to enhance their qualifications.
While addressing the Guardian Higher Education Summit, Mr. Willetts said that online universities are going to play a significant role in expanding global student numbers.
UK universities must evolve and diversify in order to tap the opportunities in the field of online learning. By doing so they will be able to overcome the threat of extinction and dominate the market.
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