| |
Singapore, 17 July 2002
Technical Degrees and Online Learning |
Professionals in engineering and scientific fields have always had to keep their skills current. But it's becoming even more imperative as the shelf life of an engineer's skills gets increasingly shorter.
Because of such rapid knowledge turnaround, it's essential for engineers to re-educate themselves continually. If they're not constantly improving their skill set and knowledge base, they can be in deep trouble.
According to academic experts, a mechanical engineer's education is generally good for seven years. An electrical engineer's lasts about four years. For computer scientists, it's as little as just two years. While the shelf life of technical skills gets shorter, the availability of e-learning for engineering and computer science students grows.
Fortunately, it's getting easier and easier as e-learning for those in technical positions grows exponentially. Sitting in a campus classroom is not always practical or possible for people involved in busy careers. Online learning is the solution that many find works for them.
E-learning leading the way for technical degrees
Many institutions that specialise in engineering and computer science degrees hold a unique position in the development of distance education via e-learning. Because of technical breakthroughs coming out of technical courses, they're leading the way in making it easier to learn online.
As engineering and computer students learn about technology, they're also developing the very technology that will enable greater accessibility to online education. Technology is bringing on-site and online education closer together. There will be less of a distinction between the two due to the growing network of learning communities.
A number of established institutions, such as University of Portsmouth,
Salem International University and University of Wales are offering more
courses via the Internet through PurpleTrain.com. Some of the programmes
include master's degree programmes that are completely on line, with more
due in the near future.
Demands made on the education pipeline
The urgent demand for technically trained employees is one of the main driving force for online learning. As we move from an industrial to an information-based society, the shortage of qualified workers will become even more critical than it already is. Instead of the flood that's needed, the pipeline of students into those fields continues to be a slow trickle. However, it is hoped that online education, particularly in the form of asynchronous learning networks, will alleviate some of the shortage by making technical education much more accessible.
Continuing education is necessary
Not only is the workplace in critical need of technically trained employees, it also faces serious retention problems. As competition heats up, especially in the technical arena, a highly educated workforce is key. Companies must learn faster than their competition, since that is the only true competitive advantage. Distance education, which offers students access to education where and when it's needed, seems to be the ideal solution.
In the US, such is the necessity of upgrading technical skills, some employers are building continuing education into their hiring strategies. They're not only willing to pay for it, they're using continuing education as a recruiting tool. They realise that for a company to be competitive, it needs to constantly retrain its employees. They're turning to universities and non-university organizations to make that happen and look on education as a solid investment.
Building on this trend, there is emergence of cohorts of distance learners from the same company taking the same courses simultaneously. Not only do they benefit from being able to take courses off site, they also get some of the advantages of face-to-face interaction with classmates that on-campus education affords. Opportunities emerge for union employees as well as for white collar workers with this approach to education.
Are you at work now or in class?
The blend of work experience and education is one of the top advantages for technical professionals taking distance courses. Professionals or co-op students usually have their hands on the latest technical equipment in the workplace and thus can learn and use the theory behind it simultaneously.
Face-to-face learning gets a complete makeover
On the surface, it appears that the lack of face-to-face interaction is one of the remaining obstacles that distance learning still has to overcome. But that, too, is changing as fast as the technology to facilitate closer communication between distance students becomes available and cheaper.
Experts point out that learning does not just occur in the classroom. The content of a class just doesn't happen in lectures. It happens on projects when students collaborate. It happens in the discussions they have and the activities they participate in. The future of online learning depends in large part on how successfully universities can create learning communities around a class. Experts feel that distance education should not be an elegant correspondence course that people do in isolation. It should be such that distance education providers must create interaction between students and faculty members and with each other.
Kelly Ng, Sales Director at PurpleTrain.com comments, ”That’s why we provide more open channels of communication for the e-learner to get in touch with either the facilitator or his course mates. We have discussion rooms that are abuzz with students posting their questions as well as private email service where the more reserved student can post their queries to the facilitator. We also have chat rooms where facilitators host online sessions for students to interact with each other as well to find out more about the content. We currently have 55,000 users in our learning community and over 1000 courses are offered to those who lead a busy lifestyle interested in furthering their education and careers.”
For a better picture of the communication channels available to PurpleTrain students, catch a glimpse of PurpleTrain Demo Class or send an enquiry about our courses at enquiry@purpletrain.com.
About Informatics Group
The Informatics Group, established in 1983, is a multinational corporation providing training and educational services in information technology and business management. Through its international franchising program and strategic acquisitions, Informatics presently has a global network of more than 450 centres spanning 42 countries.
The company presently offers five franchise products: Informatics Computer School, Thames Business School, CAL Computer Training Centre, Cambridge Child Development Centre and RACC. For more information, please visit http://www.informaticsgroup.com.
About PurpleTrain.com
PurpleTrain.com is the e-learning service provider which offers a one-stop service for business and IT education programmes, corporate training courses and education-related services. By combining innovative technology with world-class training content, PurpleTrain.com offers companies and individuals a high value, quality and effective online training solution. Over 1000 online courses are available, offering PhDs, masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates in business and IT programmes. Its e-community now stands at over 55,000 users.
PurpleTrain.com is a 100%-owned venture of Informatics Holdings Limited, a leading training and education provider listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
For more information, please contact :
Andrew Yap
Marketing & PR Manager
PurpleTrain.com
Email : pr@purpletrain.com
Website : www.purpletrain.com
www.informaticsgroup.com
To subscribe, send a blank email to: subscribe@purpletrain.com
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to: unsubscribe@purpletrain.com
All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of
their respective owners. Certain of the statements in this press release
are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
uncertainties. The actual results may differ from those described or contemplated.
Copyright © 2002. All Rights Reserved. PurpleTrain.com Pte Ltd.
|
