Future of education system

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Our education system has undergone an evolution over the years, due to advancement of technology. The future of education can be called as the transition from the traditional learning to the online education. Online learning form an important part of distance learning. The massive popularity of online learning is a growing threat to the traditional universities. The innovation and growth of technology is the biggest driving force of this form of learning. It has connected a wide spectrum of students from every part of the globe. Therefore, as people adapt themselves to the new age technology so will they start preferring the innovation coming with it. This innovation is proving to be profitable for the students as well as the universities. Thanks to online learning, education is much more accessible and flexible than it was some years back.

Reforms providing fuel for the growth of online learning

                                                                                                        

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A recent report in the guardian said that the UK has tightened its student visa rules. This means that those wanting to earn a degree from a UK university will be unable to do so easily due to this new reformation. Online learning provides an ideal solution to this problem. Student opting for online education can earn a UK degree without having to move out of their country or relocate to UK.

The ever increasing tuition fees of university courses are another major reason for students to turn towards online education. According to a Forbes report Brown University’s tuition alone had risen above $50,000 per year. Similar trend was seen in numerous other universities. One in every six children fear the cost of going to University, a recent IPSOS MORI survey has uncovered. The utmost worry is building up debits in excess of £25,000 from living costs and tuition fees when they graduate. Yet, a majority of children realise that a university qualification will help them ‘get on in life’.

Students prefer working along with studying therefore online learning is a viable option for them. By doing this they are able to fund their education easily.

Allowing college credit for online courses is a major step towards the promotion of online education. Online degrees are being recognised by other higher education universities and given value by employers. Many reputed universities have also started offering online courses to students. Over the past few years they have seen a significant growth in the number of students enrolling for online courses.

   Advantages of online education

                                                                                               

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•   By taking up an online course you can achieve an accredited qualification from a reputed university of your choice be it US or UK, that has an international standing.
•  Online education is flexible and allows the student to adjust their study timings according to their schedule according to it.

• Online universities generally offer flexible payment methods.

•  It offers the students the opportunity to continue their work along with their studies. This enables the student to gather valuable experience as well as appreciation for the drive to further their career prospects and knowledge. By the time they complete their degree they have with them an insightful work experience and knowledge that they have gained during their course.

•    Students who have been unable to complete their education due to various responsibilities can achieve their degree from a reputed university through online learning.  It also provides an opportunity for students to further their career prospects.

•     Home learning degrees give the students a chance to gain access to important lectures from professors all over the world from the comfort of their home. They can complete their education as well as give their examination at home. This relieves them of the anxiety faced by students giving on campus examinations.

There is no doubt that soon online university learning will take the centre stage and dominate the education industry scenario. Due to the development of cutting edge technology it has already reached every part of the globe. The stringent student visa rules, soaring university fees and looming fear of unemployment are just some of the reason that make it the most preferred form of learning. Its wide range of advantages will enable them to replace the traditional university learning. 

Online Courses, the Oncoming Threat and Opportunity for UK Universities

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.