“Will the Web Kill Colleges Analysis”
Zephyr Teachout is the author of the article, “Will the Web Kill Colleges” (p. 91). Teachout discusses how online courses will change the way we go to college in the future. One of the main points is whether or not the Web will kill Colleges. Teachout believes that due to economic changes more students will choose online courses because they cost less. Teachout states that, “it’s possible that within 15 years most college credits will come from classes taken online” (p. 91). In 2007, there were approximately 4 million students that were taking at least one online course. As the numbers grow there will be more virtual classrooms than ever before (Chaffee, 2012).
According to Teachout as cited in the article, “In-state online undergraduate completion degree offered by the East Carolina University costs only $99.00 per credit hour; that’s a base of $1,200 a year” (p. 92). The University of South Florida offers courses on campus at the rate of $191.00 per credit hour for Undergraduate degrees and $399.76 per credit hour for Graduate degrees. Online courses are significantly more economical than face-to-face courses when you take the price per credit hour (Chaffee, 2012).
The flexibility of online courses makes it easier for students who work and/or live in a rural area to complete their degree. As technology becomes more advanced and students are more accepting of online courses enrollment will increase steadily (Chaffee, 2012). Teachout states, “The new model of college also will separate “the class” from “the college” (p. 92). This will depend upon the credibility of online degrees that employers are willing to accept (Chaffee, 2012).
As time passes there will probably be an increase in online learning. With the economy be as unstable as it has been over the past few years and technology changing rapidly the future student will take online courses at some point in their degree or will take all their courses using this technology. Over the past 5 years the number of students who took at least one course jumped from approximately 23% to 45% (Bolkan, 2013). The signs of the future show that today’s students need to manage their coursework with more flexibility than students of the past. Online courses help them to work around their busy schedules (Bolkan, 2013).
One downfall to the online courses is the student who struggles with course material and needs immediate assistance (Bolkan, 2013). These students need the face-to-face contact that traditional courses offer. This type of student will put the demand out there to keep some sort of on-campus courses. I do not see college’s completely leaving behind some sort of campus that students can come to. Even if it is just for study purposes and/or tutoring online courses will not completely take over (Bolkan, 2013).
If college’s become mostly online some people will fall through