Academic Research

Forbes Magazine is running an essay in which the Vice President’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, is extolling the benefits of a community college education. This is a trend I have witnessed myself in working with students over the past 10 years. The number of older, none-traditional community college students seems to be increasing and the stigma of community college is decreasing. I’m pleased to witness this trend and excited at the possibilities of upping the quality of community college education.

Dr. Bidden’s recognition of the importance of community colleges is in line with the Obama administration’s recent focus on making education more accessable for all. Obama’s American Graduation initiative is further proof of the administration’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities.

The technology revolution has made it possible to teach almost every aspect of every discipline via distance education.  Utilizing this technology, several post-secondary institutions have begun to develop certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs utilizing virtual classrooms and education.  Eastern Oregon University, Emporia State University, Kutztown University, La Salle University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, and Virginia Tech are among the many institutions integrating distance education as part of their curriculum.

With colleges and universities alike jumping on the “distance education bandwagon” it would seem that the traditional classroom would be fast becoming an antique.  Despite the fact that distance education has many supporters worldwide, there are a number of opponents in the field of education that feel distance education carries with it some inherent problems that could ultimately effect the quality and standard of education for all students: traditional and distance bound alike.