Online Education in the Community College

This paper looks at three areas impacting online education at the community college level. Community colleges account for more than half of all online students in the United States as of 2006. This makes the success of online learning at the community college level a critical part of the growing online learning movement. Using data for postsecondary education in general, and where available, community colleges in particular, this paper will look at the issues that impact student success in online courses, issues that impact the faculty's ability to successfully transition learning to an online format, and issues that college administrators must consider to facilitate a successful transition. Only by understanding and addressing all three areas will online education at the community college level be successful.