Online education improves at university

Online education improves at university

The online education sector grew by 17 percent in 2009 and had been growing at an annual rate of about 20 percent in previous years, Reuters reports. This may be due in part to the vast improvements that universities are making to their web-based programs.

For example, Arizona State University (ASU) recently announced a partnership with Pearson - an online education provider - which will result in the development of new technologies and management services to support the school's online students. With the collaboration, ASU faculty will continue to design and teach every online course as well as enforce all academic policies.

"With ASU, not only are we establishing a solid technology foundation capable of scaling alongside their online program, we're playing a critical role in managing the growth of their programs, engaging potential students and helping to retain them once they are enrolled," said Matt Leavy, CEO of Pearson eCollege.

The partnership is designed to increase overall course offerings and improve student retention.

According to U.S. News and World Report, enrollment in online programs has increased by 832 percent to more than two million students over the past nine years.

By Mark Danson