| A. Objectives
This report updates the DLL's previous
studies of the distance learning initiatives
sponsored by the 103 HBCUs. It relates its
findings to the results obtained by the Sloan
Consortium (Sloan-C) from their most recent annual
surveys of over 2200 American colleges and universities -- Growing
by Degrees: Online Education in the United States, 2005 and Making
the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006.
B. Findings
1. Distance Learning Courses -- 11
more HBCUs offered distance learning courses in 2007 than in 2006.
Whereas 29 of the 103 HBCUs offered distance learning courses in
2006, 40 offered distance learning courses in 2007. This change
represented an increase of 38 percent.
2. Courseware Platforms -- In
2007, 82.5 percent of all HBCUs (33 out of 40) used one of the
Blackboard/WebCT company's learning management systems (LMS) for
their distance learning courses.
3. Public vs Private HBCUs -- In
both 2006 and 2007, the public HBCUs are far more active in distance
learning than the private HBCUs. In 2006 almost half (49%)
of the public HBCUs offered some kind of distance learning courses
(credit or noncredit) vs 8% of the private HBCUs. And in 2007
two-thirds of the public HBCUs (67%) offered distance learning
courses (credit or non-credit) compared to 12% of the private HBCUs.
4. Four, Five, and Six Year Graduation Rates --
Distance learning is not associated with the highest graduation
rates among HBCUs. Only two of the HBCUs having the highest
four year graduation rates offered any kind of distance learning
courses; only four of the HBCUs having the highest five year graduation
rates offered distance learning courses; and only four of the HBCUs
having the highest six year graduation rates offered distance learning
courses.
C. Analysis
1. With respect to distance learning, HBCUs
exhibited many of the same patterns that Sloan-C identified among
the 2200 colleges and universities that participated in its most
recent surveys
2. High performing HBCUs that focus on traditional
students are less likely to offer distance learning courses.
3. HBCUs that are committed to providing educational
opportunities for non-traditional students are more likely to
offer distance learning courses.
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