Online Education: Breaking Down the Barriers to Post-Secondary Education

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) predicts that 70% of new jobs created across Canada will require some form of post-secondary education, and only 6% of new positions will require less than high school. With so much emphasis being placed on the attainment of these credentials, it is critical that post secondary education is accessible and affordable for all who have the desire to pursue it.

Online education has the potential to break down some of the barriers to post-secondary education faced by Canadian learners.

What are some of the advantages to online education?

1) Communication with peers and instructors:

Unlike traditional paper correspondence courses, online education allows for continuous discussion between course participants, and significant interaction with the instructor. Many courses have real-time discussion components using chat functions, and the ability to write questions and respond to readings on a class message board. Additionally, because of the collaborative nature of these courses, students are also free to post content that they feel would be beneficial to the learning of other students in the course.

2) Availability of a comprehensive suite of courses, certificates, diplomas and degrees that can be completed mostly, or entirely online:

The amount of full certificates, degrees, and diplomas that can be earned online has increased exponentially in the last five years with most accredited colleges and many universities offering programs of study in this format. A link below to Ontario Learn (a consortium of 22 community colleges that have partnered to deliver online education) and Athabasca University will provide two examples of the breadth of programs available to learners.
http://www.ontariolearn.com/avail_programs/programs.htm
http://www2.athabascau.ca/programs/undergraduate.php

3) User friendly applications:

Many institutions offer free seminars to first time online learners to acquaint them with the programs that they will be using in their courses. Help functions are available to assist users trying to figure out software on their own, and most schools have toll free numbers dedicated to helping learners through technical issues. The amount of assistance available, combined with new user-friendly technologies make online learning a possibility even for novice computer users.

4) Flexibility:

Though most distance education courses do have a course schedule and deadlines for assignments and exams, all other aspects of the learning experience are controlled by the student. Studying can take place at anytime and anyplace, and online course materials are usually web-based so the student can sign into their class from any computer with an internet connection with no programs to install or download.

 Technology advances, ongoing improvements to distance education teaching methods, and the availability of full online programs of study are leading to greater options for students looking for an alternative to a traditional “bricks and mortar” institution. This greater flexibility combined with lower tuition fees might open post-secondary education up to students who otherwise would not be able to attain a college or university credential. By making accessible education a priority we are moving towards a more equal and inclusive society where the barriers of location, family responsibilities, work schedules, and financial constraints are no longer as significant a hindrance to educational pursuits.

Distance Education/Professional Development at Curriculum Services Canada (CSC):

 In keeping with the ideal of breaking down geographic barriers to learning, CSC brings educators from different locations together for virtual professional development. Through the use of web conferences, social networking, and online course management systems (such as Moodle) CSC is able to facilitate educators coming together to further develop their professional competencies and knowledge base. By eliminating the cost and time constraints that physical travel places on face to face meetings, educators are able to meet more frequently and maximize their professional development time and resources.

-Amanda Doggart