Post-secondary students might be taking the majority of their courses online in future years. A provincial government report, which has yet to be released publicly, is urging a shift towards virtual classrooms.

The draft report, dubbed “3x3,” proposes three of five college or university courses should be taught online each semester. The study also calls for three-year undergraduate degrees that include more emphasis on summer semesters.

According to the draft, which was obtained by the Canadian Press,  the proposals are intended to “strengthen our post-secondary education system, provide new and more flexible learning options for students, and reduce budget pressures.”

At Cambrian College, the proposal has been met with some enthusiasm. Sonia Del Missier, vice- president academic, believes that online learning will become a larger part of education.

Del Missier referenced a concept known as the “iron triangle,” which she says symbolizes the premise of online learning. The concept highlights three main factors in learning: access, quality and costs. Traditionally, changing one of the factors affects the others, but she says online learning allows for the manipulation and fine tuning of each.

Del Missier believes more choices in distance learning will allow for greater opportunities for students. They can get the access to colleges, no matter how far they are from campus, and online learning offers more flexibility in choosing what works for them.

“Personally I think the benefits far outweigh the risks in the sense that it does provide opportunities for students who otherwise would not have the chance to pursue studies. “

Some students, however, are less enthusiastic.

“I don’t agree with it because you lose the ‘social aspect’ of attending class and socializing with your prof and classmates,” Eric Brotherton, a first-year student in the Medical Laboratory Technology program, “You wouldn’t be able to ask questions either; emailing question after question would be a hassle.”

In response to concerns about the lack of face-to-face interactions, Del Missier says that there is potential for hybrid classes, where physical classes are held periodically, as are online chat groups.

“That means that students come together at the beginning of a program, they sit down with a teacher, talk about expectations, what we hope to achieve this semester, off they go, do their own thing, and come back maybe midway through, and then at the end.”

Some students believe that the shift towards virtual classes should result in a decrease in fees.

“I was always the type to go to class,” says Chris Gislon, a second-year Physical Fitness Management student. “If they do something like that, hopefully tuition is cheaper.”

Del Missier does not believe that tuition fees would drop because the costs would transfer to ensuring servers and technology is functional. She says that she does, however, believe that costs for textbooks and other study materials might drop once the information is made available as e-books.

This fall, Cambrian College will be offering 17 programs through online education, ranging from accounting, to building design, to occupational health.