Online learning is not a new idea. It originated in correspondence courses. Back in the late 1800s, the postal mail service supported learning and communication platforms. Today, it’s all digital, with teacher-student interaction available in real time and in your own time.
The ongoing pandemic is causing people to rethink their career prospects. Therefore, many people decide to expand or renew their education. In response, colleges have enhanced existing online learning options and introduced new programs.
‘It was a risky endeavor’
Atlanta-based Georgia Tech says it’s the first accredited university to offer online masters in computer science, referred to as OMSCS for short. The degree is available in a large online format. Georgia Tech partnered with Udacity and AT&T to launch the OMSCS program in 2014.
For the spring semester of 2022, 12,016 students have enrolled in the program. For the fall semester of 2021, 837 people graduated. Nearly 6,500 students have graduated to date.
David Joyner, Ph.D., is executive director of online education and OMSCS at the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Joyner identified four key factors contributing to the success of the OMSCS program.
“The obvious realization that OMSCS’s success seemed like a foregone conclusion, but at the time, was a risky endeavor,” says Joyner. “Low tuition can reduce enrollment in our on-campus program, and high admission rates can reduce the perceived quality of the degree.”
But the opposite has happened. In less than a decade, the fame and visibility of the OMSCS program spurred more applications for the program on campus. Joyner feels the “incredible quality” of the online students has enhanced the school’s reputation.
Joyner noted the willingness of program founders and visionaries — along with Georgia Tech’s administrative leaders — to move forward despite the risks of starting something new. .
In addition, “the faculty embraced the idea of building the program online and making sure it adhered to the standards we expect on campus,” Joyner said. “Courses are taught by the same professors who teach live and those who do the research then become the material for their classes, and that provides the authenticity that gives the program its magic.” submit.”
As the program attracted more than 2,000 students, Joyner and his colleagues realized they couldn’t support the program’s growth with on-campus teaching assistants alone.
“But online students have grown in support of the program,” said Joyner.
The program currently employs more than 400 teaching assistants, nearly half of whom are alumni. Many are now professionals working in this field. As a result, their professional experience, perspective and insight will improve the courses they are supporting, according to Joyner.
Finally, Joyner said, technology “has recently reached a point where rich, authentic, active learning experiences and dynamic social learning communities can be created and expanded across the globe.” world with relative ease.”
Job scarcity fuels student interest
Georgia Tech claims to be the first. But today, dozens of universities only offer graduate computer science programs online. They include the University of Texas at Austin, which launched a master’s degree in computer science online (MCSO) in 2019.
Eric Busch, Ph.D., is director of online programs in computer science and data science at UT Austin. He said the tech job market is one factor that makes this kind of thing Worthwhile masters in computer science for many students.
“Despite the effects of the pandemic, we believe that MCSO’s early success stems from the stark disparity in the education and labor markets in the computer science sector – which the program says,” says Busch. This program is designed to solve.
The gap between the number of computer science graduates and the number of computer jobs is well documented. That scarcity creates massive unmet demand for skilled CS workers across a variety of job sectors and functions.
– Eric Busch of UT Austin
The Association for Human Resource Management predicts employers will have a hard time finding and keeping IT staff in 2022. About three months into the year, SHRM’s prediction appears to be become reality.
“The gap between the number of computer science graduates and the amount of computer work is well documented,” continued Busch. “That scarcity creates massive unmet demand for skilled CS workers across a variety of job sectors and functions. Although companies in the tech sector have raised wages to compensate, the source of supply of skilled labor in these sectors remains relatively inelastic.”
Busch says the inelasticity stems from a scarcity of education. Even on-campus mainframe computer science programs like UT Austin’s can only accept so many direct students in any given year.
“Capacity on campus is still limited in terms of financial support and physical space,” says Busch.
In the spring semester of 2022, UT Austin had 860 students enrolled in the MCSO program. UT Austin instructors teach courses, some of which are designed for online learning.
“Programs like MCSO represent an important intervention into this scarce dynamic,” added Busch. “Because our asynchronous, online curriculum format can handle a much higher number of students, we are able to accept all qualified and capable applicants for a master’s degree. Doctor.”
Content changes part of the program’s success
We’ve been running for the past two years without an online program manager or MOOC partner, and I think we were better for that because it allowed us to design every element of the program. according to our own needs.
– David Joyner of Georgia Tech
Joyner says the shift in academic content also contributes to the success of the OMSCS program.
When the program started, OMSCS partnered with open bulk online course The provider produced and hosted the school’s course content.
“We now handle the production and hosting of content on our own platform,” says Joyner. “We’ve been running for the past two years without an online program manager or MOOC partner, and I think we’ve been better for that because it allows us to design every element of the program.” according to their own needs.”
“Our early classes were relatively lecture-heavy, and while they used a lot of active learning strategies, pre-recorded video content was still largely focused,” says Joyner. But now, he said, MS online in computer science courses is instead built around six focal points:
- Classes with minimal lecture content are built on open, student-oriented projects
- Lab-based challenge and simulation-based assessment
- Synchronized seminars with lecturers and teaching assistants
- Workshops focus on student presentations or general reading interests
- Classes based on partnerships with nonprofits or real-world healthcare professionals
- Independent student research in collaboration with faculty
What is the outlook further this year?
In application cycles since the pandemic began, applications for Georgia Tech’s OMSCS have increased 14%.
Joyner doubts an increase in the number of people applying for this online graduate program in computer science is temporary. He said students are drawn to affordable online education at a time when “there is so much uncertainty around personal finances, the global economy, and public health.”
Joyner also highlighted a notable demographic shift at Georgia Tech. The average age of incoming OMSCS students has fallen from 37 to 30.
That could indicate that “we are attracting more students earlier in their careers and fewer mid-career professionals who have been waiting more than 15 years for the chance to study CS in a mainstream program.” more awake.”
Tori Rubloff / ZDNet
“It shows,” he continued, “we’ve been wrong before: We thought we’d settle for the first three years of the show, only to see explosive growth after that.”
Busch, at UT Austin, also has a positive outlook for graduate computer science education.
“We anticipate continued growth in enrollment in both MCSO programs and online graduate education in general,” he said. “MCSO continues to add new courses and is expected to continue to be the market leader in online computer science education based on the use of experienced faculty to teach the courses.” online and focused on getting serious and building student communities.”
This article has been reviewed by Monali Mirel Chuatico
In 2019, Monali Mirel Chuatico graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, which gave her the foundation she needed to excel in roles as data engineer, front-end developer, UX designer, and faculty computer learning.
Monali is currently a data engineer at Mission Lane. As a data analytics team leader at a nonprofit called Occupation COOPMonali helps new graduates and young professionals overcome job shortages by teaching them data analytics tools and mentoring them on their career development journey.
Monali is passionate about implementing creative solutions, building community, advocating for mental health, empowering women and educating youth. Monali’s goal is to gain experience in her field, broaden her skillset, and do meaningful work that will positively impact the world.
Monali Mirel Chuatico is a paid member of the freelance assessment network Red Ventures Education.
Last reviewed on March 21, 2022.
