Current Issues in Education Current Issues in Education in the United States: in the United States:

Quality Control, Quality Control, Internationalisation and Internationalisation and Distance Learning.Distance Learning.

Jeremy D. Brown December 2006

Profile of Higher Education in the Profile of Higher Education in the USUS

Number of universities and colleges in US: 4,385Number of universities and colleges in US: 4,385

Number of public: 1,734Number of public: 1,734

Number of private: 2,651Number of private: 2,651

Number of undergraduate and graduate students: 17,568,233Number of undergraduate and graduate students: 17,568,233

Number of international students: 564,766Number of international students: 564,766

Cost of undergraduate study at a private 4-year school: $26,489/yearCost of undergraduate study at a private 4-year school: $26,489/year

Cost of undergraduate study at an Ivy League Institution: $43,566/yearCost of undergraduate study at an Ivy League Institution: $43,566/year

Cost of undergraduate study at a public 4-year school: $11,441/yearCost of undergraduate study at a public 4-year school: $11,441/year

% of International Students who are graduate students: 47%% of International Students who are graduate students: 47%

Sources: Carnegie Foundation Undergraduate Instructional Program Tables (2005), National Center for Education Statistics – Sources: Carnegie Foundation Undergraduate Instructional Program Tables (2005), National Center for Education Statistics – Digest of Education Statistics (2005), Institute for International Education Open Doors Report 2005.Digest of Education Statistics (2005), Institute for International Education Open Doors Report 2005.

Change in International Student Change in International Student Enrollment at Schools in USAEnrollment at Schools in USA

-3.0%

-2.0%

-1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

1995/96

1996/97

1997/98

1998/99

1999/00

2000/01

2001/02

2002/03

2003/04

2004/05

2005/06

State University of New York State University of New York (SUNY)(SUNY)

64 Campuses64 Campuses

Total Headcount Enrollment: 414,171Total Headcount Enrollment: 414,171

5 year growth in Enrollment: 10.6%5 year growth in Enrollment: 10.6%

International Students at SUNY campuses: 15,477International Students at SUNY campuses: 15,477

SUNY Student enrollment overseas: 4,033* SUNY Student enrollment overseas: 4,033*

Graduation Rates (1998 Cohort)Graduation Rates (1998 Cohort)– 6-Year SUNY 60.1% 6-Year SUNY 60.1% – National Public Universities 45% National Public Universities 45% – National Private Universities 57% National Private Universities 57%

Sources: SUNY FAST FACTS 2005-06 Academic Year & Sources: SUNY FAST FACTS 2005-06 Academic Year & *SUNY System Report on Overseas Enrollment for Summer 2004, Fall 2004 and Spring 2005*SUNY System Report on Overseas Enrollment for Summer 2004, Fall 2004 and Spring 2005

The Campuses of the State University of New York

Quality ControlQuality Control Regional Accrediting BodiesRegional Accrediting Bodies

– Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)– New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) – North Central Association of Colleges and Schools North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

(NWCCU)(NWCCU)– Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)– Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Professional Accrediting Bodies, for example:Professional Accrediting Bodies, for example:– Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

(ABET)(ABET)– National League of Nursing (NLN)National League of Nursing (NLN)– American Chemical SocietyAmerican Chemical Society

New York State ReviewNew York State Review– Assessment in the MajorAssessment in the Major– General Education AssessmentGeneral Education Assessment

Federal Oversight – Federal Oversight – Spellings Commission ReportSpellings Commission Report

Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education, created the Commission in 2005.created the Commission in 2005.

Goal: To look at the system of higher Goal: To look at the system of higher education and see if it adequately prepared education and see if it adequately prepared our students for the future workforce and the our students for the future workforce and the changing, global society.changing, global society.

Areas of specific interest: Accessibility, Areas of specific interest: Accessibility, Affordability and Accountability.Affordability and Accountability.

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006

Spellings Commission Report - Spellings Commission Report - AccessibilityAccessibility

Finding: “Access to American higher education Finding: “Access to American higher education is unduly limited by…inadequate preparation, is unduly limited by…inadequate preparation, lack of information about college opportunities, lack of information about college opportunities, and persistent financial barriers.”and persistent financial barriers.”

Goal: “AGoal: “A system that is accessible to all Americans, throughout their lives.”.”

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006 & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, “Action Plan for Higher Education: Improving Accessibility, Affordability and Accountability”, September 26, 2006

Spellings Commission Report -Spellings Commission Report -AffordabilityAffordability

Finding: “Finding: “Too many students are either discouraged from attending college by rising costs, or take on worrisome debt burdens in order to do so.”

Goal: “Postsecondary institutions…provide high-quality instruction while improving their efficiency in order to be more affordable to the students, taxpayers, and donors who sustain them.”

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006 & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, “Action Plan for Higher Education: Improving Accessibility, Affordability and Accountability”, September 26, 2006

Spellings Commission Report - Spellings Commission Report - AccountabilityAccountability

Finding: Finding: “Because data systems are so limited and inadequate, it is hard for policymakers to obtain reliable information on students’ progress through the educational pipeline.”

Goal: “In the Information Age, it is essential that clear, comprehensive and comparative data about colleges and universities be collected and made available to students, parents, and policymakers.”

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006 & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, “Action Plan for Higher Education: Improving Accessibility, Affordability and Accountability”, September 26, 2006

Spellings Commission Report - Spellings Commission Report - AccountabilityAccountability

Action Plan:Action Plan:

““Work with a consortium of states to build on and link Work with a consortium of states to build on and link together the 40 existing, privacy-protected higher education together the 40 existing, privacy-protected higher education information systems.”information systems.”

““Explore incentives for states and institutions that collect Explore incentives for states and institutions that collect and report student learning outcome data.”and report student learning outcome data.”

““Convene members of the accreditation community to Convene members of the accreditation community to recommend changes to the standards for recognition that recommend changes to the standards for recognition that will place a greater emphasis on results.”will place a greater emphasis on results.”

““Redesign the Department of Education’s college search Redesign the Department of Education’s college search website to allow consumers to weigh and compare website to allow consumers to weigh and compare institutions based on their individual interests and needs.”institutions based on their individual interests and needs.”

Source: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, “Action Plan for Higher Education: Improving Accessibility, Affordability Source: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, “Action Plan for Higher Education: Improving Accessibility, Affordability and Accountability”, September 26, 2006and Accountability”, September 26, 2006

Spellings Commission Report – Spellings Commission Report – OtherOther

Goal: Goal: “We want a world-class higher-education system that creates new knowledge, contributes to economic prosperity and global competitiveness, and empowers citizens.”

Goal: “We want a higher-education system that gives Americans the workplace skills they need to adapt to a rapidly changing economy.”

Goal: “We want postsecondary institutions to adapt to a world altered by technology, changing demographics and globalization, in which the higher-education landscape includes new providers and new paradigms, from for-profit universities to distance learning.”

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006

Spellings Commission Report – Spellings Commission Report – Distance LearningDistance Learning

““We recommend the development of a national strategy for We recommend the development of a national strategy for lifelong learning that helps all citizens understand the lifelong learning that helps all citizens understand the importance of preparing for and participating in higher importance of preparing for and participating in higher education throughout their lives.”education throughout their lives.”

““The commission encourages institutions to expand their The commission encourages institutions to expand their reach to adults through technology such as distance reach to adults through technology such as distance learning, workplace learning, and alternative scheduling learning, workplace learning, and alternative scheduling programs.”programs.”

““Effective use of information technology can improve Effective use of information technology can improve student learning, reduce instructional costs, and meet student learning, reduce instructional costs, and meet critical workforce needs.” critical workforce needs.”

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006

Spellings Commission Report – Spellings Commission Report – InternationalisationInternationalisation

““We recommend increased federal investment in We recommend increased federal investment in areas critical to our nation’s global competitiveness areas critical to our nation’s global competitiveness and a renewed commitment to attract the best and and a renewed commitment to attract the best and brightest minds from across the nation and around the brightest minds from across the nation and around the world to lead the next wave of American innovation.”world to lead the next wave of American innovation.”

““Higher education, too, must put greater emphasis on Higher education, too, must put greater emphasis on international education, including foreign language international education, including foreign language instruction and study abroad, in order to ensure that instruction and study abroad, in order to ensure that graduates have the skills necessary to function graduates have the skills necessary to function effectively in the global workforce.” effectively in the global workforce.”

Source: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education, A Report of the Commission Appointed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, 2006

Internationalisation Internationalisation

What are Institutions in USA doing?What are Institutions in USA doing?

– Internationalisation of CurriculumInternationalisation of Curriculum– Study AbroadStudy Abroad– Summer programs in US and Summer programs in US and

overseasoverseas– ExchangesExchanges– Dual DegreesDual Degrees

Internationalisation – Internationalisation – SUNY CantonSUNY Canton

Distance Learning to Canton and from Distance Learning to Canton and from CantonCanton

Study AbroadStudy Abroad

Dual Degree ProgrammeDual Degree Programme

Internationalisation – Internationalisation – SUNY CantonSUNY Canton

Dual Degree Programme:Dual Degree Programme:

Degree from SUNY Canton and Degree from SUNY Canton and Overseas UniversityOverseas University

Distance Learning in hybrid formatDistance Learning in hybrid format

Local LiaisonLocal Liaison

Greatly Reduced CostsGreatly Reduced Costs

Distance Learning – Distance Learning – Growth of SUNY Learning Growth of SUNY Learning

Network EnrollmentsNetwork Enrollments

119

70,000

100,000

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

100000

1995 - 1996 2003 - 2004 2006

Distance Learning – Distance Learning – Growth of Enrollment in SUNY Growth of Enrollment in SUNY

Canton Online CoursesCanton Online Courses

02004006008001000120014001600

1412 students

Distance Learning – Distance Learning – Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:Advantages:– Flexibility Flexibility – AccessibilityAccessibility– EconomicsEconomics

Disadvantages:Disadvantages:– Learning curve for different style of educationLearning curve for different style of education– Initial information technology infrastructureInitial information technology infrastructure– Lack of physical presenceLack of physical presence

Distance Learning – Distance Learning – To Be SuccessfulTo Be Successful

Provide high quality contentProvide high quality content– Use advantages that technology permitsUse advantages that technology permits– Not directly translate classroom to internetNot directly translate classroom to internet– Not blind with technologyNot blind with technology

Realise differencesRealise differences– Learning style and curveLearning style and curve– What can and cannot do as easily (e.g. labs, groups)What can and cannot do as easily (e.g. labs, groups)– Size of classSize of class

Invest appropriate Level of ResourcesInvest appropriate Level of Resources– Not overestimate revenueNot overestimate revenue– Not underestimate costNot underestimate cost

Provide similar support servicesProvide similar support services– LibraryLibrary– TutorsTutors– Access to facultyAccess to faculty– Student SystemsStudent Systems

Have reliable systemsHave reliable systems– NetworkNetwork– PlatformPlatform

Provide support for faculty developing coursesProvide support for faculty developing courses

Distance Learning – Distance Learning – Future DirectionsFuture Directions

There will be more sophisticated learners who will have There will be more sophisticated learners who will have increased expectations for personalised experiences. increased expectations for personalised experiences.

Content will be less important as open source opportunities Content will be less important as open source opportunities increase; subsequently the social experience & the social increase; subsequently the social experience & the social presence of the teacher will become more important.presence of the teacher will become more important.

It will be more of an m-learning (media –rich learning) It will be more of an m-learning (media –rich learning) environment than an e-learning one; the online learning environment than an e-learning one; the online learning space will evolve into a rich tapestry of learning tools & space will evolve into a rich tapestry of learning tools & activities.activities.

We will move away from what we are doing in the classroom We will move away from what we are doing in the classroom and do it differently in the online classroom (the online and do it differently in the online classroom (the online learning experience will likely be different from the learning experience will likely be different from the traditional classroom experience)traditional classroom experience)

Distance Learning – Distance Learning – Future Directions - Cont’dFuture Directions - Cont’d

Scale, velocity, and collaboration in online learning will Scale, velocity, and collaboration in online learning will dramatically increase in the next 5 years.dramatically increase in the next 5 years.

According to the 2006 report by A-HEC (Alliance for Higher According to the 2006 report by A-HEC (Alliance for Higher Education Competitiveness) on Best Practices in Internet-Education Competitiveness) on Best Practices in Internet-Supported Learning in Higher Education, the following Supported Learning in Higher Education, the following trends were noted:trends were noted:

More interest in hybrid/blended delivery. The focus on hybrid More interest in hybrid/blended delivery. The focus on hybrid over the next 12 months is projected to increase by over the next 12 months is projected to increase by approximately 30%.approximately 30%.

Increased multimedia use. Adding greater interactivity to Increased multimedia use. Adding greater interactivity to online courses is a predominant trend.online courses is a predominant trend.

Summary:Summary:

Written WordWritten Word=>=>

Printed WordPrinted Word=>=>Electronic WordElectronic Word

Reach much broader audience – Earth is getting Reach much broader audience – Earth is getting flatterflatter

Assure Quality Control & Appropriate Use of Assure Quality Control & Appropriate Use of TechnologyTechnology

Exciting TimesExciting Times