E-learning- The Market Is Gradually Augmenting

From tablets to smart phones, from searching wikis to having a blog, todays high tech environment embraces communication, collaboration & information all in digital way. Same is the landscape as far as today's education is concerned. The facility of time & technology has unfold academic degrees into prominence, which previously seemed to be impossible to attain. Today, the lack of time, money and the adequacy of personal and professional responsibilities don't matter anymore. Thanks to the radically evolved e-learning, today a long study programme has been flexible enough to complete according to the students' convenience.

E-learning Global Market That Is Having A Zeal

Thanks to the various e-learning tools & technologies, that keep growing bigger & better, the entire experience of education has been revolutionized. Today not only students, but also professionals, from all across the universe are ushered thoroughly by this newly emerged education facility to earn their degrees, build upon their knowledge base, and develop new skills. Not only that, our perception of knowledge and skill acquisition has also been advanced altogether. As such, an increasing number of online courses are now being offered in order to meet the ever-growing demand.

TechNavio's reports, based on a thorough market survey with inputs from eminent industry experts, have predicted that, the Global E-learning market, from today's scenario, is supposed to grow at a CAGR of 25.81 percent over the period 2013-2018. One of the key factors, that is contributing to this market growth, is reckoned to be the increasing acceptance of E-learning among corporates.

What Are The Statistics' Forecast

Which more crucial fact is that the gradual expansion of e-learning popularity is nowhere showing any sign to decrease. Inf act, the modern edu-landscape is indicating that the future of the e-learning Industry is brighter than ever.

• It was 2011, when the figure of $35.6 billion was estimated to spent on e-learning across the globe. Today the figure has been escalated with a huge number of $56.2 billion & this industry is being hoped to double by 2015.
• The business sectors has now confirmed that e-learning is the second most valuable training method that they tend to use. This report does not raise any surprise, as e-learning saves businesses at least 50% when they replace traditional instructor-based training with e-learning.
• Today, about 4.6 college students are appraised to take at least one study course online, which will veer the scenario, where approximately half of all college classes will be e-learning-based by 2019.
• The world's most rapidly developing e-learning markets exist in Malaysia and Vietnam, where the estimated 5 year annual growth rate for the Asian e-Learning market is 17.3%. Whereas, self-paced e-learning's growth rate in the Middle East is 8.2%, and its revenues are expected to reach $560.7 million by 2016.

Middle East E-learns Faster & Bigger Than Ever

A research, conducted by Docebo entitled "e-learning Market Trends & Forecast 2014 - 2016 Report", manifested the fact that, global and regional education suppliers are up-rising their stakes in the Middle East as the region's e-learning market sees revenues, elevating to $560.7 million by 2016. 

MattThompson, Project Director, F&E Group, commenting on Middle East's e-learning market, which is out-pacing the global market at 7.6 percent, cited that, ''The strong desire to digitize the delivery of the education experience is driving this growth, with governments playing a major role in boosting investments."

Thompson, who is organizing the GESS Education Awards in 2015, has also hinges on this distinguished award to assist educators in evaluating the quality of local and international suppliers, honoring the contributions of theses education suppliers in raising the quality of education throughout the region through advanced, digital tools, at the same time. Meanwhile, outstanding contributions and performance by teachers, schools and education professionals will also be observed in the following categories - Lifetime Achievement Award, Best use of ICT/eLearning in the Classroom, Community Award for Citizenship, Innovation in Education, and Outstanding Contribution in Education.

According to a recent study, held by The Research Institute of America, e-learning has the mighty prowess to benchmark information retention rates by up to 60%. That accentuates the fact that, not only is e-learning more cost efficient, but it's also more effective also, as far as the knowledge, acquired during the learning process, is concerned.

Is Online MBA As Good As Traditional MBA?

Do you think online MBA programmes are second-rate? Well, you couldn't be more wrong. As more and more established business schools have started to offer online MBA programmes, the quality of online learning has enormously improved.

Growing Demand for MBA

MBA has become a very valuable qualification these days as it is in high demand from both students and employers. Even in this intense job market, MBA graduates are successfully landing great jobs in big corporations. According to recent data from GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) released in January 2013, around 92 per cent of 2012 MBA graduates across the globe were employed within 3 months after their graduation. Moreover another GMAC revealed that 76 per cent of employers worldwide planned to recruit fresh MBA graduates in the year 2013; and the number is expected to go up even more this year.

So in this scenario, having a business degree can certainly be beneficial for you. But should you go for a traditional MBA programme and empty your saving account or go for an online programme? But can an online programme offer you quality education and excellent opportunities? Let’s find out.....

Is Online MBA Inferior?

It is true that earlier many students, education experts and even employers used to consider online management diploma and degree courses to be second rate as most top ranking B-schools remained detached from the market. However all that has changed now with the recent boom of online MBA. With rapid technological developments student experience has enhanced to a great extent.

In a recent post in The Telegraph, Professor G. Anandalingam, Dean of Imperial College Business School, writes “As with almost anything based around technology, it’s a process of continuous improvement: the way universities and students use technology is always evolving, making now a very exciting time to be working and studying in this area.”

A Raging Debate

But there seems to be a debate regarding the usage of technology in higher education. Clayton Christensen, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, argues that eventually technology will revolutionise the entire education system and in future all learning will happen online. However, Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School believes that online learning will not be able to replace classroom learning, but it will enhance it.

No matter which side of the debate you are on, you simply cannot deny that technology is significantly influencing online business diploma courses in a positive way as numerous students worldwide are now opting for online business education. Technology has effectively closed the gap regarding quality of the course and student experience between on-campus and online MBA.

However you need to ask a few questions before pursuing an online MBA programme. Professor Anandalingam writes “Students considering the merits of an online MBA vis-à-vis an in-class course should bear a few things in mind. Is there a good career service for online students? What opportunities are there to meet each other and network throughout the programme? Is there similar support for networking after the course and, crucially, is the syllabus delivered through rich, multimedia content?”

Is Online MBA a Good Option?

Although online courses initially offered only boring video lectures recordings, but now courses from leading institutions like Harvard and MIT’s EdX and Stanford’s Coursera are offering engaging lessons through interactive audios and videos as well as group assignments.

But after all that has been said, can technology and Online Management diploma programmes help you? Of course it can. If you want a recognised business qualification without being burdened with student debts, then online courses are your best option. Moreover, online MBA courses offers you the opportunity to pursue a degree and without giving up your full time job.

“For a significant and growing segment of the student population – working professionals that can’t afford to quit their jobs and come into campus for a long period – online learning has been a revelation. This is also true for students who are located in different countries but who want to receive a UK education due it its world-class reputation,” writes Prof. Anandalingam.

But will you have adequate networking opportunities in online business diploma courses? Its true networking is an important part of business education. As there is a lack of classroom interaction, you will need to take an innovative approach by using social media like LinkedIn and Facebook to expand your network and connect with other students. This helps to promote lifelong education by enabling b-schools to become a dynamic part of these online communities.

Prof. Anandalingam further adds “We, and others, work hard to ensure that online alumni are added to the career service office and we even arrange networking events throughout the world.”

Do you think online business education has improved significantly in the recent years or is it still second-rate? Would you like to go for an online MBA? Share your views, opinions and concerns and freely add to the discussion.

Learning and Reading- What Does Our Future Generation Want?

Can technological advancement replace traditional practices? Before you go on to answer the question, let me give you 2 examples, music and telephones. Initially music was played live, but technology allowed recording and reproducing music, which eventually resulted in replacing the gramophones and cassettes with iPods and mp3 players. Similarly the land-line phones were first replaced by portable phones which were in turn replaced by mobile phones. So is it possible with further technological advancements our traditional educational system will be replaced by online learning? Will tomorrow’s students end up reading only from e-books? Can digital books replace paper books?

The Traditional Vs. Digital Debate

Most of us are aware that there has been plenty of discussion and debate regarding online learning and classroom education. Some claim eLearning is the future while others conclude that digital learning can never replace face-to-face instruction. Similarly there is adequate discussion on whether eBooks can replace paper books. Many people claim that digital books are easy and more convenient; while others believe that eBooks can never offer the satisfaction of reading traditional paper books.

Digital Reading or Paper Reading?

The truth is that pixels are fast taking over paper with most readers now opting to read books on Kindle or other e-readers. The reading habits of today’s readers have changed a lot as they do not care about the smell of new paper or the feel of printed ink on the page; neither does progressing to the 100th page and marking their advancement with a bookmark have any significance. For them convenience, accessibility and affordability is everything.

Moreover many brick-and-mortar bookshops across the globe have shutdown as the traditional method of selling books has shattered as a result of heavy discounts from different e-commerce websites. The fact is the gradually increasing sales and download of digital books is slowing digging the grave of printed paper books, even though many would disagree.

The Online Learning Revolution

Similarly, online learning has also gained immense popularity among students across the globe in the past few years. Although traditional classroom learning is still dominating the education sector, but it cannot be denied that with rising college tuition many students are going online to earn an accredited and affordable degree.

Today’s learners do not want to spend a lot of time in the classroom and follow strict schedules which prevents them from pursuing other interests. It has been observed that growing number of high school graduates are now skipping college in order to avoid crippling student debts and pursuing online educational programmes. These online courses offer the learners the opportunity to pursue higher education and gain work experience at the same time. As the students do not need to adhere to any fixed schedules, then can work full time jobs and attend online lectures at night from their homes. As the content can be easily accessed online 24/7, learners can study as per their convenience.

However, to say that online learning will replace traditional education will be stretching it a bit too far. Studies show that even with growing tuition fees, a college degree is still worth it.

What Is The Solution?

Due to the growing demand of online education, many reputed colleges and universities have taken the “Blended Learning” approach where students can learn both online and on-campus.

As the interests and preferences of today’s students are constantly changing, it only makes sense for universities to offer programmes which provide the best of both digital learning and campus life. But it still remains to be seen whether online learning will replace traditional learning or if eBooks will replace paper books.

Will Children With Special Needs Benefit From Online Education?

There is no doubt that every child is special, however some children need require extra attention as they are regarded remarkably special. The truth is special needs children require a completely different kind of education model that caters to their specific learning needs. However, there are many schools that are unable make the required modifications and provide what is necessary to cater to special needs children. Hence many parents run out of option and settle with homeschooling as the only solution. But now with the advent of online education all that is about to change.

Online Learning For Special Learners

Online programmes are designed and developed specifically for the learners, which range from grade school to graduation school. These courses can help your child to gain necessary skills and knowledge through a comfortable and enhanced learning experience. As online learning offers excellent flexibility, convenience and comfort, it is often the best mode of learning for children with ADHD, dyslexia, autism or other learning disabilities.

The convenience and flexibility factor of online study can especially prove to be helpful as it will offer your child the opportunity to learn in a way that suits him/her best.

How Can Online Education Help?

Almost all online learning programmes utilise audio and video lectures, presentations and slideshows, images and texts to help the learners better understand the coursework. As the content is available online and can be accessed easily 24/7, special needs children can work on their assignments and homework as per their convenience. The learners can take online classes whenever they are comfortable as there are fixed schedules. This is especially helpful in case of urgent doctor visits or therapy sessions.

The learners can also take many small breaks between every lesson. For instance, learners with ADHD or ADD tend to learn better when the lessons are brief and short as they are unable to concentrate for a long time. If your child becomes very anxious, then he/she can take a break and have a small walk without having the fear of being expelled or punished by the educator. Moreover as online lectures are mainly audio and video based, the learners can easily repeat or pause a particular section several times if they have any problem in understanding it the initial time. This is a great advantage for students with dyslexia, ADHD or ADD. The flexible lesson plans of online programmes make sure that special needs children do not miss out on any lessons or classes as they need to leave early to avoid the crowds in hallway to attend the next class.

A Safe Learning Environment

Online education helps to create a safe learning environment where disabled children do not have to cope with bullies. As some kids tend to be rather mean to children with special needs and tease them, traditional classroom learning is often not the best way to teach your child. With online distance learning, these problems are completely eradicated.

Moreover as the online sessions are conducted by specially trained tutors, special learners can get the necessary guidance which will motivate them to learn and explore new ideas. Additionally, your child will also get to interact with other special needs children through online forums and chat rooms where they can share their challenges and experiences related to the lesson plans.

New learning Opportunities

With the advancement of technology, e-Learning has opened up new options for learning that are increasingly catering to more and more special needs children. As more and more programmes are being introduced by various establishments like Presence Learning, which offers online speech and occupational therapy to children, more children will have the opportunity to learn in their own way without being bothered by outside interferences. As digital learning helps students to progress at their own pace, it can be the most effective way for your child to learn and gain essential knowledge.

Online MBA Advances The New Business Boom

Today’s competitive work-scenario not only clamors for your dedication, time & commitment,but also demands a high multi-domain managerial competency and that too at the same time.

The Elevation That Employers Are Looking For

A latest survey, done by the Graduate Management Admissions Council, has shown that almost 75% of business employers are preferring to recruit staff with MBA degrees, focusing on the fact that, “on-the-job” learning is crucial to absorb challenges and ambitions of a company.

According to Dr. Andy Adcroft, MBA Programme Director at the University of Surrey, “Developing your own staff is not only more cost-effective than bringing on new people, but can be a badge of recognition and reward for those in your business that show promise and drive.” Explaining his views, he added more,“These benefits spread across the organisation and colleagues of those undertaking an MBA often notice a significant uplift in enthusiasm and positive influence as a result.”

Consequently, Most empolyers are considering the urgency to groom their employees with an MBA degree, so that the fresh thinking & new skills can be welcome into their business.

One Year MBA: A Great Replacement Of 2 Year Program

Though in today's radically evolved professional era an MBA degree is taking an invaluable place, it is also a considered fact that a full-scale MBA program is too money & time consuming to pursue for many working professionals. Thus, in order to meet the growing demand for a quicker and more affordable way to attain MBA-level skills, some business schools are introducing fast track MBA online programmes, which help you fast track your career and complete your MBA with just a one year Top Up Degree. Providing a greater flexibility of money and time for the want to be degree holders, online MBA programs can assist them to see the bigger picture & empower them with the expertise to develop sound business plans.

A Study Program That Creates Leaders

While two year traditional MBA program is predominant in the US, UK, Europe, Asia & Australia are making more and more scope for online MBA study course. The Level 7 postgraduate business diplomas and management diplomas are some examples of the fast track programmes. They provide with the most needed competitive edge, shaping and suiting the busy schedule of working professionals. The course curriculum and contents are specially equipped to cater to the modern business scenario. Here, the work experience is enhanced by key managerial skills, covering a vast domain – interpersonal, communication, operations, production, sales and marketing.

Exploring Leadership Skills

The online postgraduate business diploma course not only gives students an enhanced learning experience, which extends beyond academics, but it also furnishes them with strategic & leadership prowess.

• Learners will be equipped with skills enabling them to explore the bonding with people within the sector.
• They also equip the future business professionals with the skill to make right decision at the right time and proceed with it in the right way.
• Turning a problem into an advantage with creativity is another key skill that is explored through such diploma programmes.
• The study programme provides the future degree holders with an internationally recognised qualification, enabling them to present themselves anywhere they want.

So it can be said that securing a professional degree such as an online MBA adds a higher degree of recognition to work experience, paving the way to elevate professionally as well as at personal level.

Free Online Education To Break Away Academic Conventions

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We are living in an era, which possesses all kind of conveniences, in terms of time, technology and even education. Previously the educational course, which seemed to be impossible to achieve due to the lack of time, money and due to the adequacy of personal and professional responsibilities, today, with the graduation of time and technology, that academic degree can be attained easily. Thanks to the radically evolved online learning, today a four years long programme does take only 2 years.

The E-learning As The Replacement Of Traditional Education

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There was a time when a classroom was defined by the presence of blackboard, chalk, benches, and a cohort of students, listening to the professor's lectures. But the picture in recent time has completely been veered. A study by The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) shows that, 32 percent undergraduate students prefer to pursue their study while maintaining their full time job. All a modern age student seeks is an accessible, flexible, innovative and job-oriented education programme.

Here lies the secret, why the majority of undergraduate learners are inclined towards the ventures of online education. The e-learning programmes not only welcome students into a world of education without boundaries, but they also bestow an abundance of aspects that make students seek online graduation degrees.

• Online education programmes minimize the complications and limitations of time & place.
• For those, who already started to go ahead with their professional careers, online graduation courses make the resources and technologies affordable and approachable.
• This breakthrough in education allows people from all over the world to acquire not only a degree but also excellence.

However, some contradictory opinions are there to challenge the online learning models, stating that, there will remain a need for traditional college education as it provides students with a plenty of important benefits like students-teacher interaction.

The Impact Of MOOCs

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Since their advent in 2011, MOOCs have been creating an immense impact on academic world, becoming a genre of their own. The absence of tuition fees, flexible courses and a without boundary study system have increased the number of students per course. Today MOOCs are hosted by many eminent universities around the world , such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford and so on.

• HarvardX & edX

One of the prominent platforms, that have partnered with MOOCs, is edX and HarvardX is one of the 29 institutions, whose contents appear on edX. In spite of the its unsteady scale, edx's software, Open Response Assessment (ORA), provides about 2.5 million students with grades and contents. After being skilled and equipped about the ideas that usually come from students , ORA can provide with feedback to students' questions. Commenting on edX and ORA, Piotr Mitros, edX’s chief scientist, states, “ If you asked me, ‘Do you want a school experience where every single piece of text is graded by machine?’ I’d say, ‘That’s a straw-man. Nobody is proposing that.”

To Conclude

A letter, published in The Chronicle Of Higher Education, witnessed the view of the philosophy faculty of San Jose State University that described the MOOC as a “serious compromise of quality of education”. Their fear was that MOOC will soon replace flesh-and-blood teachers and the traditional classroom will go into extinction soon. This letter prominently conveys that MOOC renders a huge access and flexibility of online learning to the people from every genre.

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The University Degrees-Worth Having Today!

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With the rising academic tuition fees and evolving job scenario, if anything matters most, is choosing the appropriate stream to go with. The distinct educational stream, with which one achives his/her graduation degree, can either set up a lifetime career and high earning or sink into a heap of disappointments.

Consequently, today's education is not only for education's sake, it more tends to incline towards the need of employers.

When Education Is Job Oriented

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has done a survey that reflects the desire of the eminent corporate employers. Noticing & measuring the hiring process of some big corporate houses like Chevron, ConAgra Foods, Ernst & Young, Genworth Financial and Seagate Technology, NACE has pointed some university degrees, that top at the employers' list. They are Engineering, Business, Accounting/Finance,Computer Science/IT & 5. Economics.

Engineering

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Employers from many IT sectors, banks, finance & consulting areas and many other prominent business sectors desire to recruit employees with expertise like logical thinking, problem solving & strong numeracy, which are an engineer's key skills.

Many large engineering employers call for Mining, mechanical, electrical, petroleum and metallurgical engineering courses, as job opportunities continue to grow larger in these sectors.

Business

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One of the fundamental qualities that recruiters seek in an employee, is having good commercial awareness. Students, studying business, possess that comprehension, that they effectively apply to the job. Be it an undergraduate business degree or an MBA, the analytical & problem solving ability and the ability to think logically will earn the business degree holders both money and placements.

Accounting/Finance-

Every large or small business sector, be it good or bad time, is in the need for accountants with a clear knowledge of finance. So plenty of opportunities are out there.

According to Bill Demario, chief operating officer of Ajilon Professional Staffing, “By 2016 there will be a dramatic need for more accountants”.

Computer Science/IT-

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Though US has recently witnessed a significant uplift of career scopes in Computer Science & IT, the prowess that the study of these stream offers is valued on a global scale. The GCA’s December 2011 ‘Grad Stats’ survey found that a computer science graduate’s starting salary was approximately AU$51,000.

Economics

A degree in economics provides one with a wide array of both subject-specific and transferable skills. All these skills are highly sought after by employers from different genres like banking, accountancy, tax advice, acturial work, insurance & trading.

Some Other Degrees, Worth Having

• Health Care & Medicine

A research, done by Graduate Careers Australia (GCA), displays that, more than 97 per cent of medicine & pharmacy graduates found full-time employment within four months of graduation.

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• Education

It is conspicuous that the demand of mathematicians will never fade away. Research shows that 86.5% of degree holders land with jobs within 6 months of graduation, being employed to eminent positions.

• Human Resources Management

With the rapid growth of resources, engineering and health industries , the need for top-down organisation are also uplifting. Taking right decisions and maintaining order within the company, as well as handling relations with others in the industry, do play a vital part in an organization's success.

To Conclude

Now-a-days, pursuing a graduate degree in the distinct fields that lead to specific professional positions more tends to be the goal of study and having academic qualification rather than acquire knowledge.

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