Online learning programs expected in over half of U.S. public schools by 2012, Simba Information — via Ray Schroeder
Interest is growing in online learning courses in the kindergarten through grade 12 school segment, and more than half of the nation’s public elementary and secondary schools could be offering students online learning programs within the next two years, media industry forecast and analysis firm Simba Information projects in its most recent research report, Moving Online: K-12 Distance Learning Market Forecast 2010.
According to a survey conducted by Simba Information and Market Data Retrieval in February 2010, about one-third of schools have some kind of online program in 2009-2010, and another 20% expect a program will be started by 2011-2012.
“The anticipated expansion of the implementation of online learning is spurred not only by the economy and education budget constraints but by the increasing recognition of the need to engage students as individuals and the rapid proliferation of computer technologies,” said Kathy Mickey, senior analyst/managing editor of Simba’s Education Group.