Online Schools in New York
All over the world, distance learning is becoming more widespread and New York is no exception. Over 6.1 million students in the U.S. took at least one online course in fall 2010, according to a report by the Babson Survey Research Group.
The growing popularity of online education has helped researchers collect valuable information about the online learning process through data mining and analytics, which could help educators personalize and optimize online coursework to better meet individual student needs.
Trends in Online Education in New York
New York state's efforts in moving the fields of educational technology and online education forward have been making a great deal of noise in recent years. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has launched what it calls a "statewide virtual learning initiative to support the growth of effective online and blended instruction." The goal is to connect schools in every district with each other and to various institutes of higher education to promote expanded learning opportunities for students. NYSED is even scheduled to be awarded a $17 million grant in late 2012 to create online and blended Advanced Placement coursework.
NYSED is also implementing a Statewide Learning Technology Plan (p12.nysed.gov) in conjunction with the University of the State of New York (USNY), a vast, interconnected system of educational services within the state. Approved in 2010, the plan's mission is to "provide a user-friendly and seamless technology-enhanced learning environment" to increase student achievement.
Online College in New York
New York offers an array of educational opportunities, from ivy-league universities to niche trade schools, and many offer classes and degrees online. Thanks to these online programs, students can attend college from practically anywhere in this large state, so long as they have an internet connection.
U.S. News ranks Cornell University (cornell.edu) 15th amongst national universities in its 2013 Best Colleges report. Famous alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author E.B. White, and Bill Nye, the "Science Guy." Though the school's campus is located in Ithaca, Cornell's distance learning offerings through eCornell (ecornell.com)and its school of continuing education are broadening the university's reach.
The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) is a global private university with two campuses in New York and several more scattered around the globe. NYIT offers a number of fully-online master degree programs, and many Web-enhanced courses. NYIT Online, the university's new online campus, aims to have 20 percent of its students taking some type of online course by 2033, up from five percent in 2012.
Both NYIT's and Cornell's online education developments illustrate how well-known, campus-based institutions throughout the state are making online school in New York a realistic option for new students.
Career Outlook in New York
With more than eight million workers, New York had an average annual wage of $52,810 in May of 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), quite a bit higher than the national average, while the unemployment rate was slightly above the national average, coming in at 8.9 percent as of September 2012.
No matter which career you choose, getting a college education can help your résumé stand out and give you an edge in the hiring process, and this includes online learning. According to BLS, anesthesiologists make the highest annual mean wage in the state at $238,810. Orthodontists, surgeons and other medical careers are in the top 20 along with sales managers, financial and marketing managers, lawyers, and information systems managers.
Sources:
New York State Education Department
Statewide Learning Technology Plan
University of the State of New York
iLearnNYC
Cornell University
eCornell
New York Institute of Technology
SUNY Learning Network
