For this reason, much of the concentration needs to be placed on shared usage such as Internet cafes, whether business or community-owned. Once this has been achieved, even poor people will have access to the wealth of Lifelong Learning content available via the Internet. Education A report by the Computing Research Association in the US has commented on the apparent inability of universities to move quickly enough in adapting to change in providing high-tech workers. Private sector education companies producing new educational materials are becoming increasingly stronger competition to public sector institutions that continue to get criticised for moving too slowly. The esteem value of producing one s own material may eventually be overpowered by the sheer economics of buying in the most appropriate material and adding examples and customisations where appropriate.
Courses correspond with textbooks from a number of publishers.
The need to integrate campus administrative systems with web-based learning systems has been answered by a collaborative effort between PeopleSoft, ULT and BlackBoard. The new product will, they say, leverage the power of the Internet for education. Another new start-up in the virtual classroom providers is Tripod, part of the Lycos Network. Distance education has tended to take a back seat compared to classroom-based education in coming out of the closet around the world. The Department expects to begin making financial aid available to DE students, something that has not been available until now.