The Third Shift: Women Learning Online.

Abstract

The first in a series on women as professionals and students in 21st-century higher education, this report is based on interview and questionnaire responses from more than 500 women and men from many occup-ations, as well as a review of published research on distance learning. It examines the convergence of two major trends: the growth of technology and distance education in the college and university setting, and the demographic shift toward a predominantly female population of non-traditional-age college students. The report focuses on understanding why women pursue online education, what constraints they may face in doing so, and how they perceive online culture, social identity, and communications. Following an introduction, the report's sections are: (1) "Why Women Go Online: Educational Plans, Preferences, and Aspirations"; (2) "The Digital Divide: Gaps and Bridges"; (3) "Look Who's Talking: Gender Identity and Culture Online"; and (5) "Conclusions and Recommendations." Appendices discuss the methodology and researcher. (Contains approximately 120 references.

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