Colleges need a deliberate online strategy to better serve first-generation students
Scott Pulsipher
February 5, 2024
Higher education leaders won’t meet the moment if their virtual courses merely replicate face-to-face learning, Western Governors University’s leader says.
A majority of college students, around 70%, are now enrolled in at least one online course, signaling a promising shift that could benefit learners who have historically been let down by traditional education models.
Most students are readily embracing this tech-enabled future, according to new research from WGU Labs, the research and innovation arm of Western Governors University.
The organization surveyed more than 3,000 students across nine diverse institutions including community colleges, private and public four-year institutions, and primarily online, not-for-profit colleges. At least 80% of respondents agreed that online and hybrid are effective formats of learning. More than 70% agreed that ed tech not only makes their courses more engaging, but also helps them more effectively learn course material.
