New, modern, web-based learning opportunities are attracting more and more Norwegians to study alongside work and home life.
26/10/2007 :: “The great thing about web-based learning is being able to study between nappy changes,” says Sidsel Thompson, a project manager at the knowledge and innovation centre IT Fornebu, and has recently completed a course on project management with the Norwegian Correspondence Institute (NKI).
“Web-based learning enables to keep in regular contact with your fellow students. The study format is very appealing, and that it encourages students to make more active use of the web”, says Thompson.
Sidsel Thompson has studied project management online at NKI. Photo: Guro Wiik/ MFA Norway.
Best programme in Europe
According to the EU-funded Mega Trends project, Norway offers the most extensive selection of web-based learning programmes in Europe on a per capita basis. Student numbers are growing steadily.
“We have seen an increase of between 10 and 20 per cent in the number of students studying online since this time last year,” says Maria S. Hansen, programme coordinator at the Norwegian School of Management (BI) in Oslo.
There are students of all ages, but women aged 25-45 make up the majority.
Global learning
Interactive learning tools enable study groups to be set up across national borders and even continents.
“Through my web-based studies, I met four other students, of whom two lived in the US and two in Norway, and I am living in Singapore. We formed a study group, and communicated via Skype. There was a 13-hour time difference between Singapore and Houston”, says former NKI psychology student, Grete Lind Kummeneje.
An increasing number of people are combining education with full-time jobs and family life. Photo: Marius E. Hauge/ MFA Norway
High quality
Norwegian education institutions are embracing the new trend, and have developed some of the most advanced digital learning tools available today. These enable people to study at home, but still obtain the same qualifications as “normal” students.
The number of web students has increased steadily since the 1990s. A survey by BI has revealed that around 75 per cent of such students are in full-time jobs, and are pursuing net-based studies as part of a programme of further education.
Web-based learning tools enable parents to assist their children with home work as well as they are pursuing their own career. Photo: Ole Marius Grønlien/ MFA Norway.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs