While some critics may liken online education to “fast food” learning, more than 1.4 million people now get at least part of their education on the Internet. According to InterEd, a company that advises universities on new educational technology, 75 percent of all colleges and universities now offer some type of online course.
But why on PDAs, which lag behind the efficiency and cost effectiveness of textbooks? Proponents argue that more options are better than fewer. “This is just another tool,” says Steve Zlotolow, director of San Jose State University’s e-campus, where 15 percent of online courses are downloadable onto handheld devices. It’s also a great niche-marketing tool in Silicon Valley, where PDAs “are becoming as popular as cell phones,” says Zlotolow.
Many institutions hope online learning can generate revenue by reaching more people more efficiently. At Brigham Young University, says online-course designer Steve Brimley, “we could have a million students if we wanted.” In the ’60s students at Berkeley became famous when they revolted against factory-style education. They had no idea what was to come.
