Adult enrichment: education moves online - National Programs: Fitness and Active Lifestyles - National Recreation and Parks Association contracts EducationToGo Inc

Recreation programs have changed substantially over the past twenty years, with many of these changes related to an expansion or modernization of physical facilities. Until recently, parks and recreation programs have existed almost entirely in the physical world.

But this is changing.

While new and larger facilities will be built in the coming years, recreation managers are turning their attention to community programs that don't rely heavily on physical facilities or require additional staffing.

How is it that a community program can be offered without using the physical facility, instructors or staff?

The answer lies within the power of the Internet and its growing reach into your community. Now, technology and the Internet promise to expand parks and recreation programs to serve the entire community.

Technology changes everything!

Over the next twenty years recreation centers will most certainly be impacted by new technologies -- the only question is what the change will look like as new technology is adopted.

So, how will the Internet change parks and recreation programs?

Five years ago, few community colleges offered courses online although many were considering its potential. Today, most community colleges have some type of online program. Libraries, high schools and adult education centers have all followed the community colleges into online instruction.

On any given day, thousands of people in communities just like yours are participating in online instruction as a recreational pursuit. Seniors, professionals, young adults, stay-at-home moms -- they are all finding new ways to enrich their lives through online adult education.

In the not so distant future, many people may be getting their adult enrichment education online -- through their community based recreation center.

Online classes are moving beyond educational institutions.

The same trends in technology that put community colleges online are now making online classrooms possible for other organizations that reach the same market of adults seeking personal development.

Technology is already reshaping instructional programs in parks and recreation communities.

First, the programs offered by community colleges, recreation centers, libraries, high schools, senior centers and other community-based organizations are no longer distinct -- they are blurring together. The Internet is breaking down boundaries and expanding accessibility to training with no regard for the traditional distinctions between these agencies.

Also, while some online training programs are helping people get a college degree, the majority of students in online classes are actually receiving certifications, professional training, adult enrichment and other noncredit courses. In fact, personal development courses and lifelong learning are the fastest growing segments in education today.

We all know that technology is actually becoming a part of the physical environment in many community centers. Computers and Internet connections are being installed in community rooms. New technology initiatives are reshaping the types of activities people look to their community agencies to provide.

Why not offer online personal development courses through the local parks and recreation agency?

Going online is not as difficult as you think.

Community colleges and universities did not build their online programs by themselves, and neither should you. Expanding a parks and recreation program into online instruction does require the same vision, innovative thinking and effective partnering with existing, proven programs that made colleges successful.

The limitations of parks and recreation agencies to offer online programs are real but will not stop agencies from offering online instruction.

Many agencies do not have a facility that can accommodate a technology center or the funding necessary for modern equipment. Other agencies lack the basic staff tools -- computer hardware, email, and Internet service -- to touch their community through the Internet.

Fortunately, the limitations of your facility and/or budget do not need to keep your agency from participating in online training. There is a way to be part of the changes in technology and instruction without compromising you other programs.

Today, any parks and recreation agency can create an online instruction program in less than four hours, including selecting online courses to offer, creating a web site, and enrolling the first student.

Some recreation centers are already online!

In 2000, several parks and recreation agencies were selected to participate in the first stages of a new NRPA national partners program with EducationToGo Inc., a leader in online education. With no prior experience in online instruction, these agencies were able to create their own online program and add courses to their existing catalogs and marketing efforts.

These agencies demonstrated not only the ease of setting-up the program and administrating classes, but also the demand for online training in their communities.