Introduction
European higher education faces international competition, rising student expectations and budget constraints. The recession threatens an industry reliant on public funds. Struggling to increase quality, this region is committed to providing low-cost education. VLEs will be critical to an institution's ability to meet student expectations and address long-term cost and scalability concerns.
Scope
The global economic crisis has spurred a shift toward online learning in higher education.
Institutions are competing for students and those that can provide flexible, convenient options will come out on top.
VLE vendors entering Europe are challenged by a market crowded with legacy and homegrown solutions.
Reasons to Purchase
European higher education faces international competition, rising student expectations and budget constraints. The recession threatens an industry reliant on public funds. Struggling to increase quality, this region is committed to providing low-cost education. VLEs will be critical to an institution's ability to meet student expectations and address long-term cost and scalability concerns.
Scope
- Examines the culture and funding structure of higher education in Western Europe.
- Analyzes the vendor landscape and market penetration of VLEs in European higher education.
- Offers insight into trends toward online teaching and learning tools and recommendations for overcoming user-adoption challenges.
The global economic crisis has spurred a shift toward online learning in higher education.
Institutions are competing for students and those that can provide flexible, convenient options will come out on top.
VLE vendors entering Europe are challenged by a market crowded with legacy and homegrown solutions.
Reasons to Purchase
- Understand the changes higher education faces in the aftermath of an economic crisis.
- Recognize the issues unique to institutions in Australia, France, Germany, the UK and US and how they influence technology decision-making.
- Gain insight into the scope of the higher education market and opportunities for market penetration.
SUMMARY
Impact
Ovum view
Key messages
EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION IS STRUGGLING WITH ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Budget reduction sets institutions as prime candidates for robust technology
European institutions are competing on a global playing field
Culture changes are necessary to accommodate new standards of higher education
VENDORS STRUGGLE TO ADDRESS A CROWDED VLE MARKET
Interest in e-learning is increasing as institutions look for cost-effective teaching methods
Continuing investments reflect the rising interest in technology
VLE is not mission-critical technology-yet
Just because learning is moved online, does not mean it comes cheap
Vendors are looking for ways to penetrate higher education
Blackboard
Desire2Learn
Eledia
Fronter
it's learning
Jenzabar
Moodle
Sakai
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for higher education institutions
Rely on technology to raise efficiency and effectiveness
Look to e-learning to reach the global population and enhance physical learning, teaching and research
Avoid short-term temptations around VLE
Recommendations for vendors
Institutions want a partner, not a technology provider
VLEs may be pervasive, but that does not mean institutions are satisfied
Understand the complexity of higher education in Europe and its impact on technology-buying decisions
APPENDIX
Ask the analyst
Further reading
Methodology
Ovum Consulting
Impact
Ovum view
Key messages
EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION IS STRUGGLING WITH ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Budget reduction sets institutions as prime candidates for robust technology
European institutions are competing on a global playing field
Culture changes are necessary to accommodate new standards of higher education
VENDORS STRUGGLE TO ADDRESS A CROWDED VLE MARKET
Interest in e-learning is increasing as institutions look for cost-effective teaching methods
Continuing investments reflect the rising interest in technology
VLE is not mission-critical technology-yet
Just because learning is moved online, does not mean it comes cheap
Vendors are looking for ways to penetrate higher education
Blackboard
Desire2Learn
Eledia
Fronter
it's learning
Jenzabar
Moodle
Sakai
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for higher education institutions
Rely on technology to raise efficiency and effectiveness
Look to e-learning to reach the global population and enhance physical learning, teaching and research
Avoid short-term temptations around VLE
Recommendations for vendors
Institutions want a partner, not a technology provider
VLEs may be pervasive, but that does not mean institutions are satisfied
Understand the complexity of higher education in Europe and its impact on technology-buying decisions
APPENDIX
Ask the analyst
Further reading
Methodology
Ovum Consulting
