Online education in Michigan is generating some big bandwidth buzz nationally. The state has the country’s second-best online education program, according to the first-ever national survey of online learning policies and practices. That accomplishment is significant in this digital age, when e-learning is rapidly growing and increasing educational choices. Michigan’s goal should be to take over the No. 1 spot from Florida, working on the growth of quality virtual learning programs to benefit all students.
The Center for Digital Education, which provides technology resources for K-12 and higher education, conducted the review of programs and strategies implemented to promote online learning. The purpose was to ascertain the overall landscape of online learning in U.S. schools. As of this fall, 44 states were offering substantial online learning programs.
Michigan is among the leaders in K-12 online education for a few reasons. In 2006, the Legislature was the first in the nation to require online learning as part of its high school graduation requirements.
The rules require students to take an online course or learning experience, or have the online learning experience incorporated into each of the required 16 credits of the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum.
This move was part of a larger state effort. Requiring more rigorous course work will better prepare young people for the new economy.
Michigan was recognized for its creation of the Michigan Virtual School (MVS), an online resource that enables middle and high schools to provide courses and other learning tools that students wouldn’t typically use. Eligible students include the gifted and talented, those with special needs and students who need to make up a credit. MVS is now one of the largest online course providers in the nation. In 2007-08, there were approximately 11,000 course registrations. That virtual program was funded by the Legislature in 2000 to be operated by the Michigan Virtual University, a private, not-for-profit corporation.
The Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Virtual University created a statewide online professional development portal for Michigan educators called Michigan LearnPort that was also cited by the Center’s staff.
The recognition shows the state’s online learning programs and policies are moving in the right direction. The Department of Education, Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature deserve credit for this forward thinking, and should continue it. Learning is learning — online, in the classroom, or both.
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The complete survey report, “Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States, 2008” is available here.
Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States, 2008 represents the sixth annual report on the state of online learning in U.S. higher education. This year’s study, like those for the previous five years, is aimed at answering some of the fundamental questions about the nature and extent of online education. A collaborative effort between the Babson Survey Research Group, the College Board and the Sloan Consortium and supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation the study is based on responses from more than 2,500 colleges and universities, addressing the following key questions:
How Many Students are learning at Online Schools?
Background: For the past several years, online enrollments have been growing substantially faster than overall higher education enrollments. The expectation of academic leaders has been that these enrollments would continue their substantial growth for at least another year. Do the measured enrollments match these lofty expectations?
The evidence: Online enrollments have continued to grow at rates far in excess of the total higher education student population, with the most recent data demonstrating no signs of slowing.
What is Impact of the Economy on Online Enrollments?
Background: Bad economic times have often been good for education, either because decreased availability of good jobs encourages more people to seek education instead, or because those currently employed seek to improve their chances for advancement by advancing their education.
The evidence: Institutions believe that the economic changes will have a positive impact on overall enrollments and that specific aspects of an economic downturn resonate closely with increasing demand for online courses with specific types of schools.
Do Academic Leaders and Faculty Agree?
Background: Chief academic officers have important decision making powers for institutions of higher education, and they often make their decisions based on their understanding of faculty opinions. Do these academic leaders have a good understanding of faculty views?
The evidence: A series of questions about motivations for teaching online was asked of a sample of faculty who teach online and of chief academic officers. There was a wide level of agreemnt, with one important difference.
Is Online Learning Strategic?
Background: For online education to continue its rapid growth, it must be perceived as important by the chief academic officers who are planning tomorrow’s educational offerings. Only if these academic leaders believe that online is critical will they build future programs around it.
The evidence: Results for the previous five years have shown an increase followed by a leveling in the proportion of those institutions stating that online education is critical to their long term strategy.
What Disciplines are Best Represented Online?
Background: Online enrollments have shown substantial growth for each of the past five years. Has this extraordinary growth been uniform across all areas of higher education or concentrated among specific institutions or specific types of programs?
The evidence: Online enrollments have seen steady growth, as has the number of institutions with online program offerings. What is not known, however, is if particular disciplines are better suited to online and others less well suited.
You have a passion for teaching. You love working with children or young adults. You want to get the experience necessary for a lifelong career in education. Now is the perfect opportunity to start earning your education or teachers degree online. There are a variety of online programs that specialize in different areas of education.
All of your coursework is available online. You have the flexibility to set your own schedule to fit your current lifestyle. Some programs can be completed in as little as 18 months.
Online Education Degree Requirements. Many online education degrees have specific requirements you have to meet before being accepted to the program. You may have to maintain a certain grade point average or already be certified as a teacher. Some programs require you to have experience in the workforce, sometimes specifically in education roles.
Additionally, you may be required to take a proficiency exam before being accepted to an education degree program.
Master’s Degree in Education programs require you to have a four-year degree, but it isn’t usually necessary that your undergraduate degree be in education.
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Online education enrollments now surpass traditional college enrollments by a 5-to-1 ratio. Given the financial constraints of a traditional college education, it is not hard to see why online education is gaining in popularity. Wow - There are FIVE times as many student taking online classes as there are taking traditional college courses. A few considerations are cost, time and improving quality. Given the financial constraints of a traditional college education, it is not hard to see why online education is gaining in popularity. To search for Online Degree Programs, visit: http://www.Edvisors.com/degrees/
Have you ever considered taking an online class? Here are some benefits people should consider:
Finding an online class is easier then ever. There are more programs now than there ever have been and the offerings are increasingly diverse. There is a variety of great courses for all students.
Taking a class online can save you a lot of money. The programs offered aare not always cheap. However, if you can take 4 courses online during your first three years of an undergraduate program, you can eliminate an entire semester of study at your college or university. That means you can get a job sooner and start earning – and you won’t have to pay the college’s tuition, room, board and fees for that last semester.
If you are not living on campus – you can also save money on gas by taking an online course. You don’t have to drive to campus twice a week…
The programs offered today are high quality and widely accepted. Check with your adviser before signing up to make sure the credits will transfer. Good luck – let us know other ways to save money!
We are testing some new Online Degree Program and online Education Course Search Tools. Online Education And Online Courses seem to be one of the fastest growing segments of higher education. Let us know what you think of these search engines:
College Search – http://www.howtogetin.com/
Online Degree Search – http://www.edvisors.com/degrees/
Online Graduate Degree Search – http://www.graduatecenter.com/online-degrees/
Online Education Programs – http://www.edvisors.com/
and to pay for your program, www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
Send us comments with the best online degree search tools you have found!
A new resource for teachers, educators and anyone working in the education field. Visit:
If you know of other’s, please post them to the comments below.
For those of you searching for online degree programs, try:
For a general college search, try:
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If you know of others, please add them in a comment.
