Reference: http://www.learnframe.com/aboutelearning/page17.asp

 
Notable Internet Trends

Several Internet trends indicate that the environment is ripe for e-Learning. Among the trends (reflected in the following graphs) is the increasing use of computers, both at home and at the office, to access the Internet.

Both the education levels and the ages of Internet surfers is fairly diverse, indicating that a wide range of learning needs and dynamics are at, or could be at, play in e-Learning.

International Markets to Propel Growth of the Web
The United States and other English-speaking countries dominate the Internet; however, the trend will move more to an international community. English will still maintain its dominance as the preferred language, but the other international web trends indicate that the international market will eventually overshadow the United States.

In addition to the Web's dramatic growth in the United States, international markets hold promise for further, rapid growth of the Internet. According to IDC, the percentage of non-U.S. Web users will grow from 56% in 1998 to 65% in 2003. Europe, in particular, has the potential to become a larger Internet market than the United States.

SunTrust Equitable also refers to IDC in the following graph to indicate the number and growth of PC shipments worldwide.

Increased Internet Usage
In the Dain Rauscher report titled eServices – When Every Minute Counts, Theresa A. Matacia presents the case that increased Internet use throughout the world will continue to grow the opportunities for e-commerce, e-business and e-Learning.

With the pervasiveness of the Internet and the emergence of attractive service offerings, there is a burgeoning movement among consumers to get connected. According to the Computer Industry Almanac, Internet access among the North American population is expected to climb significantly from 28% of the population in 1998 to just under 50% by the end of next year. By 2005, it is estimated that almost three-quarters of the North American population will be Internet subscribers. Growth outside of North America is expected to be even more significant over the next several years. These projections could prove conservative once high-speed, broadband connections become widely available, driving an even greater proportion of consumers online.

Greater connectivity should drive more transaction business over the Web. As more consumers get connected and opt for the speed and flexibility of broadband access, we believe that they likely will expect the same from their Internet transactions. With more than 9 million online shoppers, organizations cannot afford to delay their ecommerce strategies. Forrester Research anticipates exponential growth in business-to-consumer ecommerce, from about $8 billion in 1998 to $108 billion by 2003.

< Drilling Down Into Computer & Web Trends	Contents	Driving Forces >

Rate this blog

   Report Abuse