Global Competition Moves Europe Toward Virtual Learning Environments

Introduction

European higher education faces international competition, rising student expectations and budget constraints. The recession threatens an industry reliant on public funds. Struggling to increase quality, this region is committed to providing low-cost education. VLEs will be critical to an institution's ability to meet student expectations and address long-term cost and scalability concerns.

Scope

*Examines the culture and funding structure of higher education in Western Europe.

*Analyzes the vendor landscape and market penetration of VLEs in European higher education.

*Offers insight into trends toward online teaching and learning tools and recommendations for overcoming user-adoption challenges.

Highlights

The global economic crisis has spurred a shift toward online learning in higher education.

Institutions are competing for students and those that can provide flexible, convenient options will come out on top.

VLE vendors entering Europe are challenged by a market crowded with legacy and homegrown solutions.

Reasons to Purchase

*Understand the changes higher education faces in the aftermath of an economic crisis.

*Recognize the issues unique to institutions in Australia, France, Germany, the UK and US and how they influence technology decision-making.

*Gain insight into the scope of the higher education market and opportunities for market penetration.


Report Highlights

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SUMMARY 2
Impact 2
Ovum view 2
Key messages 2
EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION IS STRUGGLING WITH ECONOMIC CHALLENGES 3
Budget reduction sets institutions as prime candidates for robust technology 4
European institutions are competing on a global playing field 5
Culture changes are necessary to accommodate new standards of higher education 7
VENDORS STRUGGLE TO ADDRESS A CROWDED VLE MARKET 9
Interest in e-learning is increasing as institutions look for cost-effective teaching methods 10
Continuing investments reflect the rising interest in technology 10
VLE is not mission-critical technology-yet 12
Just because learning is moved online, does not mean it comes cheap 13
Vendors are looking for ways to penetrate higher education 14
Blackboard 14
Desire2Learn 15
Eledia 15
Fronter 16
it's learning 16
Jenzabar 17
Moodle 17
Sakai 17
RECOMMENDATIONS 19
Recommendations for higher education institutions 19
Rely on technology to raise efficiency and effectiveness 19
Look to e-learning to reach the global population and enhance physical learning, teaching and research 19
Avoid short-term temptations around VLE 20
Recommendations for vendors 20
Institutions want a partner, not a technology provider 21
VLEs may be pervasive, but that does not mean institutions are satisfied 21
Understand the complexity of higher education in Europe and its impact on technology-buying decisions 21
APPENDIX 23
Ask the analyst 23
Further reading 23
Methodology 24
Ovum Consulting 24

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