Where Is Online Learning Being Used The Most Currently

Online education is apace condign a major phenomenon effectually the earth, as we highlighted in a recent piece "Costless online courses, recruitment and the university make." The ease and convenience information technology offers learners appeal to people just virtually everywhere, especially those who are trying to balance piece of work, family, and other obligations with completing a caste or certification programme. All the same certain nations take embraced online education more than others, leading the way both in terms of the number and variety of programmes, and new innovations to online learning itself.

Hither, courtesy of Edudemic, nosotros've highlighted some of the nations that are really stepping upwards the game when it comes to online pedagogy. Although other nations likely aren't far backside, equally illustrated by the graphic beneath which highlights the proliferation of loftier-speed Internet connections worldwide.

United States

The Usa is the undisputed leader in online didactics in the globe today, with hundreds of online colleges and thousands of online courses available to students. A 2011 study by the Sloan Consortium found that 6 million students in the US are taking at to the lowest degree one online course, nearly one third of all those enrolled in higher pedagogy. In fact, enrollments in online courses are outpacing those of college education as a whole, with a 10% increase in online students betwixt 2010 and 2011 compared to a just 2% rise overall. In response, 65% of higher education institutions now say that online learning is a disquisitional function of their long-term strategy.

Of course, the U.s.a. isn't just the leader in terms of sheer numbers. Information technology'due south also been the model to follow in developing online commitment systems. Most prestigious universities in the United states of america offer at least some courses online, and some have fully developed online caste programmes, even at the chief's and doctoral levels. Fifty-fifty more influential are US open educational programmes like those offered at MIT, which have been the international model to emulate.

Bharat

India is playing a major role in the growth of online learning opportunities that are popping up throughout Asia. Over the past few decades, India has adult numerous world-class universities and colleges which are fast condign destinations for some of Asia'southward all-time and brightest, and their online programmes are experiencing a like smash.

Role of the explosion of interest has stemmed from economic concerns, every bit many but tin can't afford to have two or more years off of work to attend a traditional college. Online schools help to solve that problem, and with programmes expecting to bring in a whopping US$1 billion in revenue by the stop of the decade, information technology's clear that distance learning has staying power in Bharat. While home-based schools are doing well, including the popular IITs and private schools similar Sikkm-Manipal University, American universities are as well bringing online ed to India, offering courses at MIT, Carnegie Mellon and Cornell to Indian students.

Mainland china

Currently, China is abode to near 70 dissimilar online colleges, a number that will likely grow in the coming years in order to encounter the high demand for online learning opportunities. China has a long history of altitude education, starting time in the 1960s with courses that were delivered via radio and television, simply the nation is fast becoming a leader in online teaching as well.

While problems with internet access in rural areas and a proliferation of diploma mills accept slowed progress being made in China, several major online education companies are seeing rapid growth, due largely to the increased demand for highly trained members of the global workforce coming from China. The online learning industry is expected to grow by leaps and bounds over the next few years, and with steady growth since 2006, it'south looking to come across all expectations.

South Korea

When information technology comes to advancements in e-learning in Asian nations, South korea is leading the pack, spurred on by the nation'due south strong and growing high-tech industry and widespread loftier-speed internet access. In recent years, a number of universities in South Korea have begun offering online courses, and the country currently has 17 online colleges, all of which boast state-of-the-art facilities and software.

Notwithstanding there have been some roadblocks to the success of online education in South Korea, largely stemming from the stigma online education all the same holds in South Korean society, where contiguous education is highly valued. That may not stand in the way of development in this nation'southward online education programmes, however, every bit information technology plans to utilize its resources to not but teach Korean students, simply those in other countries around the world, offering more courses in English and promoting their ability to deliver what they're calling "smart learning." They're also working to encourage more Korean students to enroll, pairing online courses with non-virtual activities on campus or in social settings. Time will tell whether or non the investment pays off for this tech-focused nation.

Malaysia

Malaysia may not exist the first place that comes to listen when yous retrieve of online education, merely the small Asian nation is forging ahead at full speed when it comes to opening up new opportunities for learning online.

Ane of the nation's biggest e-learning schools is Asia e University, based out of Kuala Lumpur. It has been a benefaction for people in nether-served areas, many of which have arable access to the Internet but non universities or college level degree programmes. And Asia e University doesn't just accomplish Malaysians; it offers education to 31 different Asian nations and has partnered with an impressive number of schools to deliver blended and fully online programmes, even developing an MBA programme through the International Business School of Scandinavia in Denmark.

While online education in Malaysia and Asia equally a whole still has a long way to go, it's clear that the state is going to be making waves in distance pedagogy for some time to come.

United Kingdom

Online education in the UK has been around for quite some time, but information technology was only in 2011 that it started to see a real boost in interest. The government's Online Learning Task Force recommended an investment of £100 million in online education in order to help the nation build its brand, develop better online educational resources, and go a major international player in the altitude learning market place. The funding recommendation is partly in response to increasing tuition costs in the United kingdom, much of which used to be covered by the authorities but now is turning students away from higher education. The authorities hopes that more user-friendly and cheaper educational options volition stalk that trend. Currently, a few private, for-turn a profit providers and the Open University are leading the charge in online education, just new funding could brand public programmes more successful and accessible to students.

Australia

Altitude pedagogy has become an increasingly pop option for Australians who want to caput back to school without putting careers on hold, growth that was driven up even more by the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009.

Over the past five years, the online education market place in Commonwealth of australia has grown by well-nigh 20% and is expected to exist worth an estimated Us$iv.68 billion this year. Currently, the major players in the Australian market are Kaplan, Seek Learning, and Open Universities Australia, though many smaller schools are also bringing in a off-white amount of students as well. Even more growth is projected in online programmes based in Australia that teach students from Asia, with the international market expected to abound to millions of students during the next ten years, which if it comes to fruition volition make Australia one of the world'due south leading providers of online education.

South Africa

Due south Africa is ane nation that has begun to capitalise on all the benefits that digital pedagogy can offer. They've adult nationwide online resources like EduNet and Thutong and offering online courses at both the high school and college levels through institutions all over the country.

In the past few years, the online higher education sector in South Africa has seen steady growth, but the need for highly qualified teachers, which the country sorely needs, may drive online programmes in teacher preparation much faster than other sectors. Currently, online instruction is still in its infancy in S Africa, but the government has demonstrated a dedication to improving and expending altitude learning opportunities and programmes like GetSmarter and UNISA Online are showing that these goals are viable in the current marketplace.

Who is next?

And finally, more to keep on your radar – the graphic beneath highlights the proliferation of loftier-speed Internet connections in ten countries, which correspond well-nigh 67% of the global total unique IP addresses.

8-Countires-Leading-the-Way-in-Online-Education