The Future of Online Distance Education (ODE) in Public Universities in Quebec, Canada

With the ever-growing enthusiasm for new technological tools as a means to deliver instruction to everyone everywhere, it seems that the past promises regarding Online Distance Education (ODE) are coming to fruition. But the present socio-economic situation occurring in the western world could have a greater impact on future ODE development than the sole popularity of the Internet or other pedagogical or technological innovations. With the escalating pressure for a more educated, better trained manpower due to the retirement of the baby-boom generation and the globalization of the economy, with the ever-present financial burden that educational systems are imposing on public finances, with the necessity to re-think our educational system to make it more accessible and also more eco-friendly, higher learning institutions are in a situation where ODE seems a logical and very profitable solution. Thus, the present context will have in the near future an important impact on higher learning institutions. This position paper examine the specific situation of public universities in Quebec, Canada.