Higher Education Act focuses on distance learning

Posted by Benae Lambright on August 20th, 2008

Recently, the Higher Education Act underwent reauthorization, focusing on illegal file sharing and the assurance that students enrolled in online learning courses are the ones taking the test. If passed, this bill will require colleges and universities that offer distance learning programs to create student policies that benefit the trustworthiness of online programs. Students who are admitted to programs must show respect to the institution that they are enrolled in and the ideology of online programs.

 

The implementation and enforcement of the Higher Education Act’s revisions and expansions will help to isolate the diploma mill program and build the support base for distance learning. The bill supports the use of web cams to provide guarantee that the student taking the test is properly identified. Using emerging technologies as a part of the test taking process gives schools options to provide a comprehensive learning environment for the their students.

 

Many schools that offer online courses have developed programs that have limited tests. Most courses are made up of chat rooms, discussion boards and written assignments.

 

The bill, H.R. 4137, passed Congress on July 31 and is expected to be signed by the president. If signed into law, changes will include file sharing, distance learning, K12 teacher preparation and many areas involving financial aid and college tuition regulations.