RPI bucking the trend and getting out of the DL business:http://www.rpi.edu/ewp/distance/about/news/transition092208.html
I think you'll see more of it because DL isn't for every university. It takes a particular infrastructure. Also, DL is becoming increasingly competitive. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that RPI's model (video streaming) just wasn't profitable based on the number of enrollments they had.
Funny, I didn't know they were in it. Perhaps that was part of the problem. As an aside, I have been to the RPI campus, and it is beautiful. It is certainly the most scenic area in Troy, NY.
They want to focus on attracting Federal research money. As a whole, research institutions devote fewer resources to teaching, fewer still to DL. From the announcement (emphasis added): As Rensselaer continues its transformation to a top-tier research university with global reach and global impact, it is critical that our faculty remain focused on building the Institute’s academic stature. This change to Distance Learning will allow faculty members to focus attention on research... Note the statement that DL outreach = decreased prestige.
Bummer. I was interested in RPI's online M.S. in HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) program. I think my only option now (at least in the U.S.) for an online HCI degree is Iowa State. And with Iowa State, one is required to have a programming background, which i do not (HTML/CSS, yes. Programming, no). Guess I'll have to look into overseas options...
See I read that differently. I read that as we have these resources. We want to accomplish these strategic goals. Committing to DL is something that stretches our resources and isn't a primary strategic goal. So it has to go. From a business standpoint, it makes perfect sense. They've identified what they want to do and they're dedicating their resources to it. If DL isn't part of their overall strategic plan, they're smart to move away from it rather than risk not meeting another goal.
Tom, back when I was considering doing a masters in HCI, I found at least two other online masters programs (in addition to Iowa State): Bentley University Master of Science in Human Factors in Information Design http://www.bentley.edu/ms/mshfid.cfm $33,000 DePaul University Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/academics/Pages/MSinHuman-ComputerInteraction.aspx $??? The Bentley program was the one I was personally most interested in. IUPUI also offers a "Graduate Certificate Program in Human-Computer Interaction": http://informatics.iupui.edu/academics/hci/cert/ It's not clear from the website but I emailed their contact person and he confirmed that IUPUI's HCI cert (but not their masters) can be done entirely online. HTH
I would find that easier to buy if: 1. DL programs were in fact resource drains - not the cash cows that they are (to be sure, the engineering focus of RPI means that its DL programs were probably more expensive than average) 2. They didn't have the option of "outsourcing" DL to a separate "campus" staffed largely with non-tenure track adjuncts, ala Penn State World Campus, UMUC, Boston U., Villanova, etc. etc (again, its engineering focus probably makes this path more problematic). To be clear, I applaud RPI for having the integrity to not offer DL programs that aren't the full equivalent - in curriculum, staffing, and access to alumnus networks - to its B&M offerings. Do it right or don't do it at all.
