Distance Learning in Collegiate Aviation: Meeting the Needs of Airport Professionals

Abstract

Distance learning, referring to those courses which can be completed via the computer and internet and entirely absent from the traditional classroom, is increasing in popularity among both students and academic programs. Although (as of Spring 2006 course offerings) 24 institutions currently offer on-line aviation academic courses, this equates to only 21 percent of the institutions in the most recent Collegiate Aviation Guide (Prather, in press). As the demand for distance learning continues to grow, especially among non-traditional students, it is useful to consider the demand among airport professionals for aviation distance learning courses and degrees. A mixed mode survey with multiple contacts was distributed to a randomly selected sample of 200 members of the American Association of Airport Executives during Fall 2005 and Spring 2006. A response rate of 52 percent revealed that many airport professionals view distance learning as affordable, convenient, flexible, of reasonable quality, and impersonal. Additionally, many are interested in pursuing distance learning but are unaware that complete aviation degrees can be completed on-line, and feel that more universities should offer aviation degree programs via distance learning. As we move to meet the educational needs of working adults in a mobile society, our conception of the university must extend beyond place and embrace process. An adult university cannot be campus-bound, rather its borders must be defined by the lives of its students. (Sperling, as cited in Lehrer and Connolly, 1994, p. 13)