Sustainability is a good question. I do think there are some economic
problems with online learning today. In too many academic circles
online education is still seen as inferior to f2f. In addition
instructors of online classes are often over worked and under paid
which again emphasizes the sense of inferiority.
Really I think the attitudes will stick until more people get a chance
to experience good online learning. Sadly there is still a lot of bad
out there that helps keep the status quo.
I've had both good and no so good experiences both in the classroom
and online. I find it is largely the students commitment that makes
the biggest difference, that and the facilitators ability to cultivate
commitment.
But I still see economic issues with online learning. Many programs
make more money if the students don't succeed so where is the
incentive to provide quality when all that matters is headcount? The
economic model is broken.
Cheers
Rebecca