As technology expands access worldwide, online institutions, open-source classrooms and virtual campuses will rise up and compete with traditional higher learning structures.<\/p>\n
This is according to findings by The Economist’s Intelligence Unit (EIU), in its Higher education in the 21st century report.<\/p>\n
The report surveyed 317 higher education practitioners from North America, Western Europe and Asia Pacific, investigating the evolution of technology in higher education within a shifting financial climate.<\/p>\n
The report found that traditional structures were facing a tough time: tuition fees in traditional institutions are increasing, particularly in the US and UK, while public funding and government subsidies are decreasing.<\/p>\n
“Enrolment is also declining as sceptical students weigh the price of a degree against their odds of employment after graduation,” EIU said.<\/p>\n
However, despite this, the report found that an “expanding global middle class” with growing young adult populations is driving an increasing demand for higher education across the globe.<\/p>\n
In order to plug their dropping enrolment figures, and to take advantage of the booming global market, 33% of institutiones surveyed by the EIU indicated a move to recruit more foreign students.<\/p>\n
Further, 51% of institutions indicated considering expanding abroad through physical campuses, online presences or other means.<\/p>\n
“Today\u2019s institutions of higher learning have high hopes for technology-based delivery of instruction,” EIU said.<\/p>\n
“Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have both supporters and detractors, but 61% of survey respondents say that they believe online and distance courses will have the greatest effect on how higher education is delivered in the next five years.”<\/p>\n
Supporters of MOOCs highlight benefits such as courses being free and available to anyone with no need for lecture halls, textbooks or teaching assistants.<\/p>\n
However, detractors criticise the method over fears of weakening or watering down of education after centuries of progress and question the long-term economic sustainability of the new model.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the report’s findings make a clear statement: “Technology is altering the playing field.”<\/p>\n
“Deployed properly in the right circumstances, online learning can help colleges and universities stay relevant in an increasingly technology-based world, expand their markets globally and streamline business models without building new classrooms and dormitories.”<\/p>\n
High-speed network to boost African research and education<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Internet in 2025 will be like electricity<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n