Posted 7:17 AM by George Siemens

Online learning is still new and, as such, is subject to much criticism. As I've written before, two camps have formed: those who proclaim that online learning is the new utopia, and those who feel it cheapens education. Somewhere between the two is a more accurate picture. In order for online learning to succeed, it needs to be evaluated more functionality than potential. By this, I mean that people must SEE elearning, not hear about its great potential. Often, people who disagree with online learning have not seen a well designed course.

I write this because of an article I came across on Diploma Mills. At RRC, the first few courses that move online outside of the college will determine repeat "customers". The image of "easy" education (or even diploma mills) is something that colleges and universities will have to fight for awhile...and the best way to fight this image is to produce high quality, relevant, and interactive course materials. Students/consumers will become believers of the value of online learning after they have taken well-designed courses...