Corporate Use of Online Education

With companies eagerly searching for cost efficient ways to keep employee training and education up to date, the Internet seems the obvious answer.  Online education makes it possible for full time workers to earn a degree with less downtime and fewer travel costs.  And companies are beginning to realize that. Earning degrees and receiving further training holds many benefits for workers, such as salary increases or promotions.  It also enables workers who live in remote areas or who travel frequently to have access to high quality education.  Companies also reap benefits by having a more skilled staff of workers.  And workers who are learning while working can put practical use to what they are learning much more quickly than those who take time off work to learn.  Some companies are so dedicated to this system that they are even helping to fund online education for employees, and other companies are providing time during the workday for workers to do class work.
 

Many workers have come to realize that learning via the Internet makes it easier to juggle education, career, and family.  Online universities allow students to set their own schedules and study when it's most convenient, and potential students can even apply online.  Most online classes have bulletin boards, chat rooms, and email capabilities in which students can access desired information 24 hours a day.  This is especially handy for working parents whose schedules can be unpredictable.  And in order to stay competitive in the business world, workers need to keep their skills up to date.  Another advantage online learning brings for workers is the flexibility of pace.  Students can work as quickly or slowly as they need to.

(Clarke, R.D., 1999), (Pronchnow, D ., 1999), (Crenshaw, D., 1997) 

Other issues on this topic include corporate attitudes, interactivity, and costs ...
 

 This project was produced for Psy 380, Social Psychology of Cyberspace, Spring 2000,  at Miami University.  All graphics in these pages are used with permission or under fair use guidelines, are in the public domain,  or were created by the authors.  Last revised:  This document has been accessed   times since 1 May 2000.  Comments & Questions to R. Sherman