Online courses are heating up this summer.

Summer, and Learning Online is More Convenient

Posted on July 25, 2008 - Permalink
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This summer, distance learning is hot.

Indeed, BSC's online courses, a growing segment of the college's offerings for some time, has this summer experienced a large jump in enrollment. Compared to a year ago, online enrollment for summer session I was up 109 percent; for session II there was a 42.5 percent increase over the numbers from last year. Also, roughly 80 percent of the slots for online courses this summer are full.

"Many of the most popular courses are filled as soon as we post them," said Skip Darmody, associate director of marketing in the college's Continuing and Distance Education division.

Some might assume the cost of gas makes learning from home an attractive alternative. However, a survey of BSC evening students reveals that overall convenience is the main reason they sign up for an online course. The same survey demonstrated that nearly 85 percent of the respondents work 30 hours or more per week, meaning people can more easily fit an online class into an already busy schedule.

The upward trend in distance learning has been occurring for some time here at BSC and other institutions across the U.S. Due to the increasing demand, BSC dramatically increased the number of online courses this summer. That's a trend that is continuing in the fall, as well, Mr. Darmody said. Already, numbers show that fall '08 distance education enrollment is up about 69 percent over last year (spring '08 enrollment was up 104 percent).

"As we continue to grow our online course offerings we are moving toward adding online undergraduate degree programs, " said Dr. Mary Fuller, Director of Continuing and Distance Education. "This will ultimately provide our students with greater access to Bridgewater's fine educational resources." (John Winters, Office of Institutional Communications)