Internet_and_Future

Date 12/18/2011 The Future of Internet and Education This paper will provide information on the benefits of an online education full time or as needed for brick and mortar students. President of learning resources network, William A. Draves predicts that within 20 years online classes will replace traditional lecture courses. (Draves, 1999). However at this time the lack of broadband connectivity in rural areas and the negative effect it has on education are already apparent. The future of the internet will bring education and technology together so that all students no matter what their location will have equal opportunity at the best education possible. Online education will especially benefit the special needs and handicapped students who cannot travel back and forth to a brick and mortar school. In rural areas such as Alaska there may only be one teacher for a whole community and the environment can get to such extremes that children cannot travel to and from school.(Yardley, 2009) Being able to get an education online in these situations can make the difference in falling months behind in school or staying current with an online education. Without online education students in these rural areas may never have the opportunity to further their education. There is always an issue of broadband connectivity in our rural areas and how it will affect the future of online education. The placing of telecommunication infrastructures in rural areas to create this connectivity can play a huge role in the future of education, even though it is very costly. However, in the long run the benefits of having access to the internet will make up for much of the cost. Some benefits of online schooling are paper less education, less illness being spread, and days out for bad weather. There has been debate on if putting up telecommunication infrastructures in rural areas is cost efficient. 30% of people out of 100,000 in US households report having no internet access (Whitney, 2009). When there are so many people without homes and food living on the streets, some say it is foolish to spend such money that can help so many people, just so people can get online. On the other hand by giving more people access to broadband for schooling purposes it will improve the success rate of graduating students therefore lowering unemployment rate and homelessness. The future of education is changing greatly for the better. Online schooling is helping people in remote rural areas. In March of 2009 the FCC was due to submit a NBPC (National Broadband Plan) to congress (Whitney, 2009). The Obama Administration has been pushing universal broadband for all U.S. citizens as part of its national agenda (Whitney, 2009). The NBPC is still pushing forward to this date. If succeeded everyone in all areas should have equal opportunity as far as online education. It would seem the benefits to our future far out weight the man hours and the cost. References: Draves, W . (American Psychological Assoc.) Online (1999). Chronicle of Higher Education 46(16), A47 Whitney, L (2009). Online (2011) http://news.cnet.com/830L1035.3-10454133-94.html Yardley, W (2009). (New York Times) Online (2011). Alaska’s Rule Schools Fight Extinction