While hastily planned remote instruction differs from fully planned online college programs, education experts say recent cultural shifts and a desire for flexibility accelerated the growth of online learning. Colleges are now poised to offer more choices in distance learning, but it takes time, expertise and resources to develop quality online degree programs, says Lisa Templeton, vice provost for Oregon State University’s Ecampus and division of educational ventures. "Many of our faculty and students that would've never wanted to teach online or take an online course had to during the (coronavirus) pandemic," she says. "I think they learned that you can connect in meaningful and transformative ways."
