Many higher education institutions in the Commonwealth already offer alternative formats for delivering thei programs.  There are weekend, evening, and compressed time programs; there are semester, quarter, and intensive summer programs; there are on-line programs, blended technology-enabled programs; and competency-based rather than credit options.  Institutions offer their programs on campus, at satellite sites in the community, and in workplaces.  All of these alternatives are adaptations meant to respond to the change in living and working conditions of students and to acknowledge that there are now many non-traditional, older, working professional students enrolled in higher education.

The Massachusetts’s public higher education system already has a strong network of distance education programs offered through Massachusetts Colleges Online, UMass Online, Mass Virtual High School, Salem State College, and other institutions. Online courses provide enhanced flexibility and access to every student.  A multi-year, targeted line of funding to expand online certificate/degree programs in selected high-demand fields would increase on-time, on-demand options for students, and allow more students to access the public higher education system.

Massachusetts is behind the curve in distance learning for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE). There are models currently in place that have demonstrated success; the Jamaica Plain Community Center Adult Learning Program is one. The ESOL/ABE community in Massachusetts could make this issue a priority within their own research programs, seminars and forums, and professional development activities.

7.a    The Department of Higher Education should develop a strategic plan for the expansion of distance learning and technology-infused curriculum

Add Comment