Statistics of Online Learning
The world of online learning has exploded in recent years. This is partly due to the increase in technology which has made the entire process far easier and more accessible. It has also stemmed from an increase in social acceptance of online learning as a legitimate and equal method of obtaining a valuable degree. Specific statistics delving deeper into the world of online learning will help you gain a better understanding of its scope and current trends. The statistics here are provided from "Staying the Course, Online Education in the United States, 2008."
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Defining an Online Class
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An online class is defined as a course where a minimum of 80 percent of material is delivered online. This compares to a blended or hybrid course which offers between 30 percent and 79 percent of online material and a web facilitated course which offers between 1 percent and 29 percent of course material online.
Total Student Activity
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More than 3.9 million students were taking at least one online course in the fall of 2007. This is more than 20 percent of all students enrolled in higher education.
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Growth
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Between 2006 and 2007 there was a 12.9 percent growth rate for online enrollments. This is compared to a 1.2 percent total growth rate for college enrollment.
Level of Study
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Over 80 percent of students taking online classes are in pursuit of an undergraduate degree. The remaining 20 percent is split between 14 percent of students working towards a graduate degree and 6 percent of students taking courses for other credits or certifications.
Public vs. Private Institutions
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Private universities have been slower to implement online courses than public universities when comparing a total of 2,500 universities currently offering online learning programs. Over 23 percent of public universities offered online courses prior to 1999, compared to approximately 9 percent of private nonprofit universities and 8 percent of private for-profit universities. In 2007, approximately 14 percent of public universities offered online courses for the first time, compared to 30 percent of private nonprofit schools and 21 percent of private for-profit schools.
Disciplines Covered
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The most prevalent discipline for online programs to offer is business, with 33 percent of institutions offering courses for that field. Two reasons for this are the ease in which business courses can be taught without hands-on interaction, as well as the popularity of business programs in general. The least prevalent is engineering, with just 16 percent. Psychology, social sciences, computer and information sciences, education, health professions and liberal arts and sciences all fall between 24 and 32 percent availability.
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