EMPLOYERS PREFER ONLINE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

According to a new report from Eduventures, employers favor both hybrid and online-only programs for employees who take certification courses at colleges and universities. In the study of 731 organizations -- including companies, nonprofits, and governmental agencies -- 52 percent said they would be likely or very likely to participate in a traditional in-class certification program on a college campus.

In contrast, 64 percent said the same about an online-only program, while 68 percent said so for a program that blended online and in-class instruction.

Sean Gallagher, senior analyst at Eduventures, noted that Internet-based education has grown from being considered "substandard or nonengaging" to being preferred to traditional forms of teaching.

Online programs also offer benefits in terms of flexibility and customization that traditional forms do not.

Chronicle of Higher Education, 15 November 2006 (sub. req'd)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/11/2006111501t.htm