The Battle Between Click And Brick Universities
Keywords: Universities, science and technology, technological tools, e-learning
The role of contemporary universities is currently experiencing tremendous change due to the advancements in technology. Today, it is not just a matter of sound administrative decisions made by institutions, but rather a global realization that e-learning is a dynamically growing industry. Undergraduate and graduate students demand their universities to provide them with the latest technological tools available, so as to increase their efficiency ratios, elevate the quality of their studies, and acquire the needed business skills, which will later help them find the job of their dreams. For-profit or non-profit universities, among other things, produce professionals and need to serve their academic “customers” what they desire if they mean to stay in business. But, are all postsecondary institutions supposed to offer their curriculums through e-learning and what is the outcome of these technological “services” for the academic community?
According to different scholars, as the industrial economy gave its place to what is known today as the “knowledge economy,” the academic world was bound to be impacted. A number of alterations in the university’s form, the consistency of its faculty, the demographics of its participants, the financial resources available, along with the political and social changes that have emerged, caused higher educational institutions to reconstruct their model and redesign their identity. Continuing incorporating these changes and fostering technological innovations has become a major challenge for academic institutions; who wish to keep up with the global pace, or even lead the future course of action. Internet usage and what has come to be known as the educational model of e-learning have created the grounds upon which various stakeholders argue in favor or against the proliferation of a vast variety of technology-based educational tools.
The primary role of a university is to act as an agent towards discovering, creating, preserving, disseminating, and applying knowledge. The act of accepting or rejecting substantial technological tools as educational breakthroughs, creates an opportunity for contemporary academic institutions to realize the importance of their present role and increase the outcome of their future influence on society. But, not all universities are ready to take this step towards modernization, nor should they try. Actually, the decision depends on different parameters, like the institution’s “brand name”, the magnitude and timing of the suggested adaptation, the skepticism of the academic environment, the cultural norms embedded in its system, and the acceptance ratio of the society within the institution operates.
E-learning has created two divisions in the academic field that are possible to be united to one great new force. ‘Brick’ and ‘click’ universities, distinguished by the physical location of their classes, residential or virtual respectively, target the same audience and thus come in opposition. Close observation and qualitative studies have indicated that there is a positive possibility which emerges in-between these two forms of contemporary education. The suggested brick-and-click academic form resembles that of a joint-venture and constitutes a very interesting and rather complete new model that has great future potential in this information age. Under this notion, click and brick universities are not in fact enemies. They are comrades in the vast battlefield of knowledge and they have to remain interrelated in order to increase their performance ratios, ensure higher quality standards for those enrolled, apart from increasing their profit ratios.
The potential benefits from e-learning become clearer, when one considers the global nature of the network constructed through the use of the Internet, the increased number of students in every virtual classroom, the availability of online resources and the ability of business oriented students to enroll. What is probably jeopardized is power and control, in comparison to the traditional model, as the old classic relationship between a professor and a student is transformed, since e-learning lacks personal contact and face-to-face interaction. Nevertheless, as long as the adequate budget and the necessary technological resources are available, administration and faculty members have the ability to use technology and its manifestations towards the improvement of this recently introduced educational tool, while eliminating drawbacks and taking full advantage of the opportunities these new e-learning techniques offer to all.
Although the e-learning educational model has to surpass the threat of creating a rivalry between elite and mass education students, the brick versus click universities battle has to end and these educational forms need to become allies. Constructing a new physical and cyber space community, where people exchange ideas, interact via a variety of tools, learn about different cultures, increase their overall knowledge base, enhance their capabilities, and most importantly learn how to think critically while judging their role during this process, is the primary responsibility of contemporary universities; whether existing online or in a physical space. The conclusion supported is that there should be no battle. Such arguments and debates stall educational exchange and are major setbacks, sacrificing the sacred mission of a university to create and promote knowledge.
Kadence Buchanan writes articles for fortheloveofscience.com - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for theeducationstop.net and worldof-science.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
The Truth Behind Advertising (1)
It moreover can act as an Awareness-Identification-Desire-Action tool since it can provide all the incentives needed for a trial. As far as the action stage is concerned, advertising can become the element through which a prospect will decide upon purchasing the product or service.
The Young Tiger Woods (2)
Why, even if it is only his life before the age of 20 that you consider, the movie would already be pretty good. Consider the following. Born on December 30, 1975, Eldrick "Tiger" Woods' early beginnings are well-chronicled by now.
Women In Science (3)
While some scholars support that considerable biological differences between men and women affect their representation in science, there is a substantive body of evidence indicating that overall intelligence does not differ between men and women.
Arguing For Paradise (4)
The reaction was not exactly what I expected to receive. Instead of happy faces and words of encouragement or even declarations from volunteers that they would help, people looked at me as if I had just landed from Mars and begun questioning my intentions.
American Football Gaining International Popularity (5)
The National Football League also publishes a website for Canadian fans that focuses on the progress and statistics of Canadian-born players. Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for footballorbust.com - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for recreationandmore.com and igamerscorner.com
The Barbecue Experience (6)
Regardless of the original purpose of one's visit to a barbecue place, the barbecue outdoor experience can become one of those times you nostalgically remember during the winter weekends. Having fun and eating fresh is always a good excuse to get involved with a barbecue event.
Cost Of Living As A Factor In Business Relocation (7)
Community colleges and local workforce development agencies are working to correct this imbalance but it may be many years before skilled labor is available in many of those places. There are certain cities that have thrived due to their combination of both high quality of life and available skilled workforce including Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX; Orlando, FL; and Nashua, NH.
Tailoring - The Truth About Our Clothes (8)
When the production grows too much it loses its value. The quality drops and 30 percent out of what the entire production is worth some quality. The niche markets that targets specific customers are more expensive because they unlike the mass production and tailoring of clothes offer handmade dresses.
Choosing The Right Strings For Your Tennis Racquets (9)
You should purchase longer length strings. Also, a racket that has decreased string density (in layman's terms, a racket with fewer strings) is known to generate more power than those with high string density.
Getting A Good Workout At Home (10)
In addition to burning calories, you're also performing some house work that can really pay off. Be sure to keep a steady pace while cleaning, ensuring that the exercise that you get from the process is intense enough to make a difference.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
The Wonderful World Of Motorcycles (1)
These motorcycles are economical in many ways. Some third world countries have stared producing their local scooters and bikes so that almost any person who manages to save a little amount of money can afford a scooter easily.
The Disintermediation Of New Technologies (2)
The adopters of these communication methods relate heavily on the existence and improvement of the used medium, as it must continue to incorporate the advances of other practices and continuously be up dated.
Throwing The Perfect Football Pass (3)
A proper football pass is a perfect spiral delivered directly to the target. With that in mind, this article will attempt to explain some methods that actual football coaches use to teach their quarterbacks the right way to throw.
How To Be A Good Little League Coach (4)
The number one virtue Little League coaches need to develop is patience. Children do not have the attention span or the discipline of adults and need to be constantly reminded about technique and sportsmanship.
Students Chip In To Help Katrina Victims (5)
At an estimated $20 per hour salary, these students donated more than $20,000,000, and while there's much more work to be done, it represents definite hope for the future generation.
Airport Information For Hawaii (6)
In addition, Maui has three airports. The major airport is Kahalui Airport (OGG), which allows direct flights from the West coast of the U.S. mainland. The drive from the airport to Kihei or Wailea is less than half an hour, but if you plan to visit Lahaina or Kaanapali then be prepared for another hour of traveling.
The Ultimate Experience Of Tent Camping (7)
Keywords: Tent camping, summer vacations, camping vacation, outdoor activity If someone were to ask me of my favorite experience while outdoors with my father, I would immediately respond "tent camping!" When my brother and I were younger, our parents were determined to help us experience the most out of our summer vacations and still spend time with them.
What Can I Expect To Find At A Boat Show (8)
At the Ft. Lauderdale show, touring the larger yachts may mean removing your shoes completely! Wearing boat shoes can make the process of touring boats a little easier.
Understanding The Basics Of Managerial Accounting (9)
Although much of the information they provide is financial, there is a strong trend toward the presentation of substantial non-financial data as well. Actually, they supply all kinds of information to management and act as strategic planners in support of management's role in decision making and managing the organisation activities.
The Beauty Of Getting Older (10)
Most importantly, my father sees everyday as an opportunity to tell the people he cares about how much he does love and cherish them. One of my favorite scenes, in the whole world, is my dad sitting on his favorite chair in the living room while the cat sleeps peacefully on his lap.
Permalink to The Battle Between Click And Brick Universities