Enrollment Trends

Enrollment Trends

Online courses through distance learning have been, increasingly, an alternative for those seeking qualification but have limited time or displacement. According to data from the Ministry of Education (MEC), between 2002 and 2011, enrollments in undergraduate courses in distance education mode had the extraordinary increase of 2300% (Anderson, 2011). But doubts about the quality of that teaching remain hovering over companies and students.

However, the choice of courses and most preferably remains undisputed for the training of professionals graduated in the country. But in recent years the rise of students in distance courses was higher than students in regular classes. Between 2009 and 2010, the growth of distance learners was 10.9%, while in the classroom; the increase was equivalent to 6.45%, according to figures from the MEC. Despite the new trend, large corporations still adamant in hiring students with distance education training. According to Deborah, the Institute Capacitare, a company focused on recruiting professionals, this type of course still has little acceptance. Because of this, students of distance education did not feel compelled to seek this kind of company. "As our vacancies are always directed to these companies, these students end up not pursuing us, it is not the focus," concludes Deborah. The recruiter also underscores the importance of choosing a course that has already gone through the process of recognition of the MEC. Without such validation, the quality of the course becomes questionable, and the absence of legislation makes hiring even more difficult. According to the MEC, the growth of these courses and students enrolled was dizzying. In 2000, the number enrolled in the distance was a little over five thousand. 11 years later, the number jumped to over 990,000 enrollments. The courses, which amounted to only 178 in 2000, jumped to a brand than a thousand in ...