The Importance of Online Education

University administrators and technology sales people have announced the death of an old era of traditional universities and the birth of a new era of virtual higher learning. The inventions of technology and the advancement of information communication technology (ICT) caused drastic changes in the way people learn and teach. Actually, online education is prospering and online education can not be stopped. Although, it can not replace traditional in class education, yet it supplements it. Academic institutions are integrating an element of online education because it improves curriculum, responds to the needs of different learners, and improves the educational level of students.

International education which includes virtualization, globalization and borderlessness has an impact on curriculum teaching and that is one reason why academic institutions integrate it. Mangan (2003) even suggested that online education is the only solution to free up the curriculum so that it is not a decade behind. She criticized traditional academics, planning procedures, and inflexible course requirements and old faculty members. She stated that they delivered an out of touch curriculum, and since businesses nowadays depend a lot on internet, future businesses leaders should be taught with updated curriculum which is flexible and matches students interests and the requirements of the employers. It should provide thoughtful integration of knowledge skill and attitude in order to develop an individual to his full potential. Online education answers these needs. It gives students more freedom to customize their degrees and choose subjects that match with their interests. Moreover, the online courses might include students from far away countries and this gives international dimensions and richness to the curriculum.

Another main cause of the need of online education is that it responds to the needs of different learners. Let us begin by part time learners. They need to learn quickly, have little time, and are interested in advancing their career. Many adults have a feeling of time poverty and worry about the lack of time to pursue their education. So online education gives them the chance to study and work from home or work at their leisure. In addition, students who like multimedia delivery are greatly attracted to online courses. Online education also gives the students the chance of studying or working in the virtual classroom anytime of the day or the night. Moreover, people who are interested in specific courses that are not available in their hometown will definitely find them online .Actually, Daifallah (2000) stated that more than 17000 courses are already available online. Finally, shy students, who are uncomfortable when sharing thoughts in a group, are less inhibited when participating in online discussions.

The third main cause of the need of international education is that it broadens the horizon of learners and improves their skills in reading and writing, thus developing independent learners. Online learners must do reading assignment on their own and must produce written products. Actually, students in their dialogues would offer "global comparisons and perspectives, pose questions to one another from an outsider's perspective, respond to questions from those abroad that frequently challenge taken for granted assumptions, and be encouraged to take a reflective attitude toward their own society, culture, and politics" (Little,Titarenko,Bergelson,2005,p.362). In fact, Little et al (2005) stated that regular writing activity leads to writing improvements. When students write frequently their level increases and they produce better learning outcomes.Moreover, students interact in online courses with students from other countries for at least an entire semester and for international students, an online course taught in English offers them an opportunity to improve their foreign language.


Online education is a worldwide advancement that no one can curtail. So institutions should integrate an element of it because it improves curriculum, caters to the needs of different learners and improves their skills and educational level. As far I am concerned, I believe that online learning did not replace traditional classrooms but it should definitely supplement it since it is an important part of training delivery in today's global village.


References:

1-Wood, B.J.W, Tapsall, S.M, Soutar, G.N. (2005).Borderless education: some implications for management. The International Journal of Educational Management.Bradford:2005.vol 19, pg. 428, 9 pgs.Retrived in Feb. 27 (2008) from online databases, Proquest

2-Daifallah, A. (2000) .Online learning in faceless degree factory. Peterborough, pg. A.4.Retrieved in March 27(2008) from online databases, Proquest.

3-Little, C.B, Titarenko, L, Bergelson, M. (2005).Creating a Successful Distance-Learning Classroom. Teaching Sociology, Vol.33, NO.4, PP.355-370.Retrived inMarch.28 (2008) from online databases, Jstor.