Why the UK Must Start Loving Online Education

Online learning is rapidly gaining prominence among students, teachers and employers across the globe. Online education enables students to learn in a flexible, affordable and convenient way, which traditional education is unable to provide. But virtual learning is still considered second rate across the UK. However, it is now time for us to change our thinking and attitude towards online education. 

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 Better learning opportunities

 

As the opportunities for development increase and the student cap is lifted, online learning provides a means for universities across the UK to compete globally without striving to meet capacity. The scenario is somewhat different in the United States as online degree programmes have found a firm ground there. In the US, it is not considered as a poor quality alternative to college education. If the UK plans to make the most of the development opportunities, we need learn from the experience of the US and start appreciating online education more. 

Nancy Coleman, vice-president of academic services at PlattForm and former director of distance education at Boston University, recently wrote in an article “The lifting of the student cap is one driver, but what will matter long-term is taking a decent share of the ballooning numbers of students globally looking for a world-class degree. The OECD estimates the numbers of people with degrees will grow from around 129 million to 204 million by 2020. It’s also one answer to the problem of declining numbers of part-time students and creating the right kind of higher study offer for people in work. ” 

Growing number of online learners

 

According to a recent study from the Babson Survey Research Group, around 7.1 million students in higher education across the US are currently pursuing at least one course online included as part of their academic degree programme. But there seems to be some disagreement with the statistics as the initial study by the US education department on online study found that there are a around 5.5 million online learners in the US. Experts predict that the number of online learners will rise further with over half of all US students pursuing at least on online course by the year 2018. 

However, what is more important than the statistics is the hidden sentiment. By surveying academic leaders and experts, the researchers at Babson discovered that the number of students who believe online learning offers equal or even better learning outcomes than traditional education had increased to more than 74 per cent. Coleman added “Online degrees are no longer the preserve of the for-profit online operators, and three-quarters of all US universities and colleges now offer online degree options. The recent move from Stanford to turn MOOC (massive open online courses) offerings into paid-for courses is another indication of how online tuition is moving into the mainstream.” 

Reassessing how we teach

 

Across the United States of America, institutes have been striving to offer a cutting-edge digital experience to learners by observing social networking trends and utilising gaming technologies & remote working to encourage continuous interaction and engagement while studying. 

Nancy Coleman concluded by writing “Again, the UK needs role models. Academics in the US have needed to rethink how they teach their subject and recreate content. Most find the experience a useful exercise, getting back to the root of how their students really learn, how to challenge them and get them working both independently and as a collaborative network.” 

What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share your opinions with us by commenting here. 

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How Schools In England Are Compelling Parents To Contribute Financially?

Recently,it was reported that around 100 schools across England are compelling parents,and in some cases demanding,that they make significant financial contributions to the school budgets. The research notes that this is possibly a breach of law.

Are Donations Compulsory?

According to the findings of the British Humanist Association (BHA), most of these schools were state faith schools. Although all schools across England have permission to ask voluntary donations from the parents of students, but they must be clear on the fact that financial contribution is not an obligation. The government recently said that all claims related to rules being breached will be thoroughly examined. The report stated that schools may seek voluntary contributions, however they need to clarify to all parents that “there is absolutely no obligation for them to pay.”

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A spokesman for the Department for Education said “The School Admissions Code is clear that schools must not request financial contributions - whether voluntary or compulsory - as any part of the admissions process, including when offering a place.” The researchers at BHA conducted a basic web search to in order to identify probable breaches of such rules. Later, they also carried out detailed analysis of the initial 100 schools that were identified. The researchers claimed that faith schools primarily dominated the list and most of them are needed to “pay a share of building maintenance costs”.

Contributing To School Funds

One Church of England primary, which is currently highlighted by the British Humanist Association, requests parents for a yearly payment which is known as the “Building Fund/Capitation for parents.” It stated “This is not a voluntary contribution but it is a payment all Church of England schools require to maintain the school buildings and classrooms.” Another Catholic primary school states “We will be asking all who have not contributed to the Building Fund yet for their contribution and writing to them at the beginning of next half term.” A different school justifies that “as a voluntary aided school, parents of the pupils... are responsible for contributing 10% towards all building works,” before asking for £100 to each family.

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Several schools also claimed that the requested financial contribution was a minimum amount, which are not necessarily voluntary. The schools also explained that it is a way to motivate families to support their kids' education who can afford to pay more. A different school said that parents must make financial contributions to the school fund by utilising the money they were able to save by receiving free school meals.

An Outrageous Demand

Andrew Copson, chief executive at BHA, said “It is simply outrageous that state-funded schools are demanding money from parents in this way. What's incredibly worrying is that there are evidently many more schools doing this than the 100 we found in our analysis, so we'll certainly be writing to the government to alert them to the extent of the problem.”

Paul Barber, director of the Catholic Education Service, said “We expect all Catholic schools to follow the Department for Education guidance on voluntary contributions. Parents are welcome to contribute towards their child's school and this is money spent on improving the quality of education provided.”

A spokesperson for Church of England said “The admissions code is very clear about financial contributions playing no part in the admissions process and our expectation is that all schools adhere to the code.”

What do you think? Feel free to share your views and opinions with us by commenting below.

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