Forecaster publishes letter by Michael Beaudoin critical of a column about online education

Michael Beaudoin, Ed.D., professor of education, had a letter published in the (Falmouth) Aug. 29, 2011, critical of some broad statements that columnist Edgar Allen Beem made about the quality of online education in an Aug. 22nd opinion piece castigating certain for-profit online education institutions that have recently run afoul of federal regulations regarding recruitment and financial aid practices.

Beaudoin writes that "despite the occasional 'diploma mill,' online courses and degree programs now represent the fastest growing segment of higher education, and most of these are offered by well-regarded accredited institutions (including several in Maine). These academically rigorous courses provide educational opportunities to thousands of individuals who might not otherwise have a chance to access resources to meet their personal and professional needs."

Beaudoin has published numerous journal articles on online education and is project leader for an international study of online learner competencies, being undertaken by the International Board for Standards, Training, Performance and Instruction.

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