1. Framework Implementation Network Alexander Hotel – 24th Feb 2010
Realising lifelong learning: Online and distance education
Seamus Fox
Oscail - DCU
FIN -24Feb2010

2. Outline Distance Education & Technology Lifelong Learning
Growth in Online Education
Situation in Ireland
Potential in Ireland
Barriers
Conclusions
FIN -24Feb2010

3. Distance Education & Technologies
Correspondence
Broadcast
Multimedia (Text, Video, Audio, CBL)
Telelearning (Audio & Video Conf)
Resources & Asynchronous CMC
Synchronous & Asynchronous CMC
[Immersive?]
FIN -24Feb2010

4. Online Technologies Paper – The eLearning Technologies
Large Number of Technologies & Growing
History of Technology in Education
Beware Hype of ‘Latest Fad’
Three Key Technologies
Online Journal Databases
Virtual Learning Environments
Synchronous Web Conferencing
Online Administration
FIN -24Feb2010

5. Lifelong Learning Portmanteau Term Education and Training Education
Educational Disadvantaged
Personal interest/’Folk’ Colleges
People with Disabilities
Upskilling of workforce
Mature Students/’Second Chance’
FIN -24Feb2010

6. Growth of Online Education
United States
Over 800 colleges offering at least one fully online UG programmes
Almost 600 colleges offering at least one fully online PG programme
Almost 4m students taking at least one fully online course
Australia – dual mode embedded?
Canada – Athabasca & large providers
FIN -24Feb2010

7. Total and Online Enrollment in US HEIs
Total Enrolment
At least 1 fully online course
Online as % Total
2002
16,611,710
1,602,970
9.6%
2003
16,911,481
1,971,397
11.7%
2004
17,272,043
2,329,783
13.5%
2005
17,487,481
3,180,050
18.2%
2006
17,758,872
3,488,381
19.6%
2007
17,975,830
3,938,111
21.9%
2008
18,199,920
4,606,353
25.3%
FIN -24Feb2010

8. Course Classification
% Online
Type
Descriptions 0%
Traditional
Course with no online technology used
1 to 29%
Web Facilitated
Course that uses web-based technology to facilitate what is essentially a face-to-face course.
30 to 79%
Blended
Course that blends online and face-to-face delivery.
80+%
Online
Course where most or all of the content is delivered online.
FIN -24Feb2010

9. Reasons for Growth Rising Cost of Higher Education
Traditional HE Highly Inflexible (“Corralled Education”)
Online/Distance Education
Time
Place
Workload/Credits
Equivalence of Awards
Fits Adult Work/Family Commitments
FIN -24Feb2010

10. Rhetoric OECD (2006): Equity of Access, Lifelong Learning
HEA’s Strategic Plan(2008): Flexibility, P/T, Distance Learning
National Access Plan (2008): Mature Students
Smart Economy (2009): Flexible Learning for Upskilling
FIN -24Feb2010

11. Ireland Population (Total) – 4,239,848 Population (15+) - 3,375, 399
F/T Education Ceased – 2,850,333
No Third-level Qualification – 1,890,994
Upper 2ndry Highest – 803,498
Upper 2ndry (20 to 44) – 477,841
At University/3rd Level – 349,596
Policy Anomaly
(Source: CSO 2006)
Each HE student in Ireland gets approx 10,000 in 2006 in public – 7,600 excluding research – say 8,500 now means approx 30m on f/t students while p/t students have to pay fees.
FIN -24Feb2010

12. Who are they? Highest Upper Secondary (2006)
Employers/Managers/Professionals – 22%
Non-manual & Manual Workers – 63%
Entrants Higher Education (2004)
Employers/Managers/Professionals – 41%
Non-manual & Manual Workers – 30%
Sources: CSO 2006 & O’Connell et al 2006
FIN -24Feb2010

13. Government Funding of Students on Level 8 Courses - Universities
Core ‘RGAM’
Pay Fees
Full/Time Y
Part/Time
Y [FTE] N
Distance Education
“Socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor” G Vidal
FIN -24Feb2010

14. University Sector Full Time U/G Part Time U/G 2008/9 (P) 70,802 6,705
2007/8
70,464
8,016
2006/7
68,039
8,506
2005/6
66,834
8,742
2004/5
65,300
9,727
F/T – plus 8% and p/t – minus 31% (minus 18% to 2007/8)
FIN -24Feb2010

15. CAO Net Acceptances Level 8 % Level 6/7 Total 2007 27,848 12,058
2,784 10
1,418 12
Total 2003
23,935
14,398
1,872 8
944 7
Total 2000
20,786
16,739
812 4
689
FIN -24Feb2010

16. In Summary
Funding mechanisms are undermining (rhetorical?) policy objective of promoting lifelong learning.
Exception - Labour Market Activisation Scheme
FIN -24Feb2010

17. Other Barriers Institutional structure of Irish Universities
Incentive systems
Scepticism about fully online & reluctance to move/change face to face model
Academic cultures which adapt online T&L technologies to replicate/support existing pedagogies, not to disrupt them
Requires policy drivers
FIN -24Feb2010

18. Cultural Change Status of Teaching
Move of Full-time Staff to Academic Manager role
Focus on Assessment & Quality Assurance
Highly Trained ‘Adjunct’ Staff
Incorporation of eLearning (Admin, Library, etc as well as Teaching)
FIN -24Feb2010

19. Conclusions Lifelong Learning - Portmanteau
Focus on ‘nearly readies’ & high-level upskilling
Online education highly appropriate for these groups
Need to (1) Change funding policies and (2) Change culture of HEIs
FIN -24Feb2010

20. Seamus Fox Academic Director & Chair-IT Programme
Oscail, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
Tel:
Website:
FIN -24Feb2010

21. IoT Sector Full Time U/G Part Time U/G 2008/9 (P) 52,295 12,961 2007/8
49,048
12,997
2006/7
51,322 -
2005/6
51,517
13,228
2004/5
50,424
14,088
F/T – plus 8% and p/t – minus 31% (minus 18% to 2007/8)
FIN -24Feb2010