The Start

First, a little about me -

I am a technical instructor for the New Horizons network.  My favorite subject is Suse Linux, although I also teach Microsoft and CompTIA classes.  My certifications?  CNI, MCT, MCSA, MCITP in Vista, MCDST, NCE, CLE, A+, I-NET+, Security+, Server+, Project+, CTT+, Network+, MCIW - Administrator, CIW-CI, and an old CCNA.  I am working on an ACNI in XEN on Suse 11 and a Master's degree in Educational Technology with a Certificate in Adult Online education from Boise State University.  (Go Broncos!)

Second, what we will discuss -

This blog will focus on applying technology to teach technology.  Educational institutions are moving away from bricks-and-mortar classrooms, much as companies are moving away from bricks-and-mortar storefronts.  According to a study by the US Department of Education in 2000-2001 on http://www.educationcenteronline.org/e-Learning/Distance-Learning-Statistics.html:

• One-third of all postsecondary schools offer distance learning courses.
• 8% of postsecondary schools offer college-level degree or certificate programs completely through distance learning.
• 55% of 2-year and 4-year institutions offer college-level credit-granting distance learning courses at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
• The top 3 technologies used to deliver courses involved internet-based, two-way interactive video, and one-way prerecorded video

In the 2000-2001 academic school year, 3,077,000 students enrolled in distance education courses. And the National Center for Education Statistics expects this number to increase by around 19%, to 18.2 million, by 2013. They think the biggest factor affecting enrollment will be the increasing likelihood of traditional college-age students, 18-24-year-olds, to participate in distance learning online programs.

This enrollment will increase across all postsecondary levels, with a projected 18% growth for undergraduate students, 19% for graduate students, and 27% for first-professional students.

Clearly, this is a growth area for the education industry, and it's a perfect way for adult professionals to improve their skills.  However, we technical instructors learned through Instructor Lead Training (ILT).  How do we make the leap to delivering quality training using online and virtual environments?  That will be the focus of this blog.

Enjoy,

Donna Kruse
mobilegoddess@gmail.com