Although one can readily find content modules and much course material on the Web, often available for free, the truth is that developing a new Internet-ready course is time consuming and expensive. And despite the considerable effort of many talented instructors, we seem far from having reasonable templates for E-learning materials such as those that now exist for textbooks. On the brighter side, variable costs for E-learning can be quite low, so that wide distribution can reduce the average instructional cost per student. Competition seems likely to be especially intense for non-degree programs such as continuing professional education, short courses for managers and information technology training. Today, however, many collaborative efforts between academic institutions and for-profit firms are under way or in development.
Some firms also provide technical support for courseware development and marketing.
Such partnerships are still in their infancy and lack good instructional or business models for either the academic or corporate participants. Academic institutional strengths do not usually include building and maintaining high-tech operating systems. Moreover, colleges and universities must attend to a host of internal institutional problems before they can compete successfully in the E-learning arena. Too many institutions appear today to have E-learning plans that are driven by instructional supply rather than learner demand considerations. However, some institutions undoubtedly will be squeezed out by more entrepreneurial competitors, both nonprofit and for-profit.