| A recent report has been published detailing the | | | | and middle school teaching market scale has |
| development of e-Learning and online education in | | | | increased by 18.5 percent between 2006 and |
| China. The report, by companiesandmarkets.com, | | | | 2007. |
| identifies that the sector has reached its "growth | | | | For higher education and older learners, the report |
| stage", increasing in market scale by 20.7 percent | | | | shows a growth and diversification of online |
| between 2006 and 2007 (from RMB14.5 billion to | | | | education but an unimpressive continuation of |
| RMB17.5 billion). So how is the industry set to | | | | doubts amongst members of the public as to the |
| develop from here? And what can the west learn | | | | worth of diplomas from online institutions. Despite |
| from the success of the Chinese distance and | | | | this, there is healthy enthusiasm for online |
| blended learning systems? | | | | education for vocation certification and an |
| Distance learning, online degree courses, and adult | | | | increased demand for customizable services. |
| education have been popular in China for some | | | | Additionally corporate e-learning is becoming more |
| time. This has been due to a number of factors, | | | | integrated with business hoping to improve |
| such as the expansive and rural geography of the | | | | services - especially over the last year. As a |
| country, the high competition for fewer enrolment | | | | result, projections suggest that corporate |
| places (comparable to the UK or US, at least), and | | | | e-learning is set to grow 40 percent year by year |
| recent government-stimulated incentives to | | | | until 2011. |
| ensure compulsory learning for all, e.g. the National | | | | China is an interesting country to discuss when it |
| Project of Compulsory Education in Impoverished | | | | comes to distance education - due to the rural |
| Areas (established in 1995). | | | | country and uniquely provincial governance of |
| In regards to e-Learning and its involvement with | | | | education, as well as its huge population. |
| pre/primary/middle school education, the latest | | | | Consequently, the country has pioneered certain |
| report doesn't reflect an outright consolidation of | | | | aspects of education by use of online courses and |
| the country's vast school system - which is | | | | media. This has not only included a Central Radio |
| something that makes it quite different to others. | | | | and TV University, but also distance institutions |
| Those who offer online education services to | | | | that specifically cater for niche markets such as |
| pre-schoolers are private individuals and | | | | adult farmers and workers - it will be intriguing to |
| companies, whilst the most traditional primary and | | | | see how technological advancements and |
| middle schools are said to be employing e-Learning | | | | increased accessibility for education over the next |
| techniques and offering distance classes. Primary | | | | few years. |