Online Learning Needs in Technology Education

The number of distance education courses, degree programs, and enrollment in the US nearly doubled from 1995 to 1998 (US Department of Education, 1999). As universities provide more courses online, possibly to a different population of students, it is important to assess the perceived needs of learners and potential learners. In the field of technology education, some (e.g. Davis, 2000, Ndahi, 1999) have studied university distance education programs, but a characterization of potential learners and their needs has not been performed. The goal of this article is to inform those considering offering online technology education, especially at the graduate level, of the perceived need for and appeal of online educational opportunities in technology education, as discovered through a needs assessment survey.