- In spite of the fact that there has been an increase (from 12 to 30) in the number of
institutions that offer degrees entirely online, there is still the perception that these degrees are
really second- rate. One reason is that people hiring for positions usually come from a
traditional background and are skeptical of online education. Online supporters say that the
medium of instruction is inconsequential to the quality of education. See:
http://www.wired.com/news/school/0,1383,54734,00.html (Wired News, 28 Aug 02)

- An EDUCAUSE survey conducted earlier this year showed that portals rank fourth among
the top 10 information-technology-related issues that college technology administrators expect to
become much more significant in the coming year. Some institutions credited their portal with
student retention, in part because the system automatically notifies students about tuition and
other bills, avoiding problems later. Other institutions reported that their portal projects exposed
inaccuracies and other problems with online information that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
See: http://chronicle.com/free/v48/i48/48a03201.htm (Chronicle of Higher Education, 9 Aug 02)

- A new area of interest to higher education students is Practice Tests Online Students who
would like to take the Medical Boards, MCAT, which are required for admission to medical
school can now simulate the test experience. To see what a test-prep site looks like, spend
some time at: http://www.e-mcat.com It would be interesting to think about using this model for
key competencies in educational/organizational learning efforts. Go to:
http://www.masie.com/masie/default.cfm?page=trendsarchive (The Masie Center)