When we listen to the market today
one thing seems abundantly clear - online learning is growing at, as some would
say, a "meteoric" rate.
Yes, it is the cost effective, convenient way to
earn a degree, but more importantly for higher education leaders, it is the
expansion of geographic reach without significant increase in physical
plant and infrastructure costs. Many if not most institutions claim to be
involved in online learning. A closer examination demonstrates that
this often only means some courses are offered online. That is a very
different strategy than having programs (translation: solutions) offered online
to the burgeoning adult learner market. We need to ask:
"How
well are we extending our mission and capturing the opportunity that lies
outside the geographical boundaries of our institutions - the potential for
adult online learners?"
According to a U.S. News and World
Report article released this February, "more than 4.6 million college students were
taking at least one online course at the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.
That's more than 1 in 4 college students, and it's a 17% increase from
2007."
Current economic
conditions in this country have significantly impacted higher education.
The report concludes: "With a higher demand for college-educated workers,
colleges are more popular than ever. The traditional higher-education
population grew (only) 1.2 percent between 2007 and 2009. (Very limited growth compared to those institutions involved in online education.)
Leveraging the online learner population into both your
services and mission is an important consideration.
The online student, typically a
returning adult learner, does not require the cafeteria, residence
halls, recreation facilities, etc. As a matter of fact, adult learners
provide the
greatest Return on Enrollment Investment (REI) beyond any traditional
learner
on campus. With a successful adult learner program you can be positioned
to fund your traditional programs and stay true to the scope of your mission.
- Adult learners are looking for solutions and institutions that are student-centric and very responsive.
- Be
aware that starting from scratch can be a challenging endeavor.
Developing the new curriculum, the new support systems, training
faculty and structuring marketing resources is typically out of reach.
- The window of opportunity is finite and the space is crowding. However, Education Strategy still records great success stories
with its institutions that opt for a rapid deployment and the fulfillment of an
immediate market need. We offer the greatest scope of services combined
with the best price points of any partner in the industry.
Could you use a boost of an
additional 75-100 new learners in the next 12 months? What would it
mean to your institution to find a strategic fit for online learning and to
actively participate in this growing market?
If you've read this far, clearly
you are intrigued.
The next step is a simple conversation...not a
commitment. Learn more about how Education Strategy has helped nearly
100 institutions reach their adult enrollment goals and how your
institution could be next. Send me an email and I will follow up right
away.
Ananda Jones
ajones@educationstrategy.com
Manager, New Partnerships
703-815-1924, ext. 4