Demand, Growth, and Evolution

Overview & Synopsis

The paradigm shift to engaged and collaborative learning delivered via distance education technologies has been led by practitioners in adult and continuing education. Online and blended courses are experiencing increased demand and continued growth at all levels of higher education, professional development, and K-12 education. Adult and continuing education leaders have the opportunity to share their experiences and guide the evolution as teachers and policymakers are scrambling to evolve to meet the needs of 21st century learners. The author calls on distance and continuing education practitioners to continue to lead the paradigm shifts to more active, engaged, and collaborative learning systems. They have the experiences and understand the components that lead to creating quality learning environments. They can guide the management of the growth of online education, lead the incorporation of the use of mobile devices, strive to meet the growing demands of the 21st century learners, and work to evolve the education systems of yesteryear into the education systems of tomorrow.