The University of Colorado Boulder is initiating a year-long visioning process aimed at broadening its online undergraduate course offerings. Currently, CU Boulder primarily provides in-person classes, with a significant disparity in enrollment figures. For instance, this spring, there were approximately 164,657 enrollments in in-person or hybrid courses, compared to just 14,397 students enrolled in online classes on the main campus, as highlighted by Provost Ann Stevens.
Current Online Education Landscape at CU Boulder
- The majority of CU Boulder’s online degree programs are graduate-level.
- Undergraduate programs mainly consist of in-person classes.
- Only 8% of students enrolled in online courses in the spring term.
Goals for Expansion of Online Classes
CU Boulder aims to enhance its online offerings for undergraduates to support student success metrics. During a recent Board of Regents committee meeting, Stevens emphasized the need to explore various avenues that could help improve retention and graduation rates.
Potential Benefits of Online Courses
Stevens presented several potential advantages of adopting more online education options:
- Asynchronous online courses in summer provide students flexibility to manage internships and coursework.
- Online classes can facilitate studying abroad while ensuring students remain on course for graduation.
- Large lectures may become more interactive through innovative online formats.
Supporting Students with Diverse Needs
Stevens expressed a desire to better support students who may have to leave campus due to various personal circumstances. She believes that offering online coursework can help these students continue their education without needing to physically return to campus.
Administrative Streamlining Initiatives
To enhance the online education experience, CU Boulder is also considering ways to streamline administrative support. The Division of Continuing Education aims to provide increased flexibility and resources for students, while the Office of Academic and Learning Innovation focuses on developing online curricula and faculty support.
Stevens recognizes the need for unification between these two units to better serve online learners. This collaborative approach could ensure a more cohesive online learning environment.
As CU Boulder embarks on this initiative, the university is committed to exploring innovative solutions that could transform the educational experience for undergraduate students.
