Future of Online Education in Crisis: A Call to Action
ABSTRACT
Online education is growing rapidly and there is little doubt that it will continue to expand until it one day
encompasses the majority of higher education course offerings. Higher education leaders agree that online
education will continue to grow even in the face of a slight recent decline (Allen & Seaman, 2013). As the rise
of online education began, concern also arose as to whether the quality of higher education would suffer as a
result of this new fast tracked course of academia. The quality of education in general is in question. The
average degree standards are lower in America (Cote & Allahar, 2011). Today in higher education it is almost
unacceptable to expect students to be solely just that, students (2011). Working full time, while carrying a full
load is becoming the acceptable norm (2011). This type of student is more often the student that elects an online
education. Despite the current drawbacks, online education is still the best prospect for the future provided the
barriers of faculty assessment and course design are addressed. Fear of student evaluations and administrative
disapproval are causing grade inflation while simultaneously influencing course design. Instructors are
designing courses that allow the student to easily pass the course, which in reality is a disservice to everyone
involved. This literature review provides evidence to justify a warning to acknowledge the paradox of current
faculty assessment practices and the codependent relationship with course structure, to ensure the future value of
higher education remain just that; valuable.
Future of Online Education in Crisis: A Call to ActionABSTRACTOnline education is growing rapidly and there is little doubt that it will continue to expand until it one dayencompasses the majority of higher education course offerings. Higher education leaders agree that onlineeducation will continue to grow even in the face of a slight recent decline (Allen & Seaman, 2013). As the riseof online education began, concern also arose as to whether the quality of higher education would suffer as aresult of this new fast tracked course of academia. The quality of education in general is in question. Theaverage degree standards are lower in America (Cote & Allahar, 2011). Today in higher education it is almostunacceptable to expect students to be solely just that, students (2011). Working full time, while carrying a fullload is becoming the acceptable norm (2011). This type of student is more often the student that elects an onlineeducation. Despite the current drawbacks, online education is still the best prospect for the future provided thebarriers of faculty assessment and course design are addressed. Fear of student evaluations and administrativedisapproval are causing grade inflation while simultaneously influencing course design. Instructors aredesigning courses that allow the student to easily pass the course, which in reality is a disservice to everyoneinvolved. This literature review provides evidence to justify a warning to acknowledge the paradox of currentfaculty assessment practices and the codependent relationship with course structure, to ensure the future value of
higher education remain just that; valuable.
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