Many higher-ed institutions have put more emphasis on online learning programs due to recent student demand, and paying attention to demand for courses and training faculty can help these programs succeed.
In light of recent online learning surveys, the Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) and Learning House polled higher-ed leaders to track progress and identify needed improvements in online learning programs.
The Online Learning in Continuing Higher Education report is based on a survey of more than 100 deans and directors of higher education institutions who are ACHE members.
Top challenges for ACHE members include retention (53 percent), training and recruiting faculty to teach online (47 percent), providing special services to students in need (37 percent), and identifying students in need of special services (35 percent).
ACHE members have seen a number of successes within their online offerings:
1. ACHE members will experiment with breaking down the longer degree program into smaller awards: badges (35 percent) top the list of smaller awards, by microdegrees (30 percent) and certificate programs (26 percent).