アメリカ合衆国におけるバーチャル・ユニバーシティの10年

―その成果と課題―

抄録

  This paper aims to clarify the inherent problems of the virtual universities in the United States of America, following a decade during which they have developed their curricula and teaching staff.

  The results of the study are as follows.

  (1) Two kinds of providers have established virtual univerities: for-profit universities and traditional universities.

  (2) Since virtual universities have promptly met more consumers' needs than traditional programs, their curricula tend to be demand-driven. Traditional universities have withdrawn from providing virtual education whereas for-profit universities have suceeded in managing their challenging environment. The reason is related to the degree to which they are consumer centered.

  (3) In the virtual universities, there are various staff, including teachers who have no or little acadenic experience. As a result, the quality of their education is questionable.

  In view of the above, we can regard that the virtual universities have faced the opposition from two educatinal approaches. One is the necessity of university education centered approach, the other is demand-centered adult education.