The Times Higher Education (THE) Online Learning Rankings (OLR) 2024, released recently, marks a significant milestone in assessing the quality of online education on a global scale. With online learning becoming an indispensable component of modern education, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rankings aim to evaluate and highlight excellence in this emerging sector.
This inaugural ranking categorises universities into three tiers – Gold, Silver, and Bronze, based on their performance across four key pillars: Resources, Engagement, Outcomes, and Environment. Two Indian universities achieved Gold status, showcasing their leadership in online education, while several others were recognised in the Silver and Bronze tiers. A total of eleven institutions have been named in the Gold status. Here’s a complete list of institutions from India that have made it to the global list and across the three tiers.
Indian Universities in THE Online Learning Rankings 2024
Here is a breakdown of the Indian universities featured in the rankings, along with their scores across the four evaluation pillars:
Two institutions, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune and GLA University, were assigned “Reporter” status, indicating that they participated in the rankings but did not meet all the criteria for a formal tier classification.
How are the institutions listed in THE Online Learning Rankings 2024
The OLR 2024 employs a comprehensive methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of online learning initiatives, utilising 17 metrics grouped into four primary pillars: Resources, Engagement, Outcomes, and Environment. Each pillar assesses critical aspects of online education, providing a nuanced understanding of its strengths and challenges.
The Resources pillar measures the infrastructure, staffing, and funding allocated to online learning. This evaluation highlights a university’s commitment to quality online education, as higher resource allocation generally correlates with better facilities, technological support, and faculty expertise. Institutions that perform well in this category typically have robust systems in place to ensure smooth and effective delivery of online programs.
The Engagement pillar focuses on the level of interaction and involvement students have with their online courses. This includes six key metrics, such as student feedback collected through surveys, which gauge satisfaction and overall experience. High engagement scores indicate that online programs are accessible, interactive, and designed to actively involve learners, fostering a sense of connection despite the virtual format.
In the Outcomes pillar, the rankings track metrics like student progression rates and whether learners would recommend their courses to others. This pillar assesses the effectiveness of online programs in achieving educational goals, such as skill acquisition, knowledge retention, and career advancement. A strong outcomes score reflects the ability of an institution to deliver a transformative educational experience online.
The final pillar Environment, examines the inclusivity and supportiveness of the online learning ecosystem. It evaluates aspects such as diversity, accessibility, and the support systems available to students. A conducive online learning environment ensures that education is equitable and accommodating, empowering students from varied backgrounds to succeed.
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Why do Online Learning Rankings matter?
The OLR is an important step forward in global higher education since it recognises the growing importance of online education and initiates efforts to establish common standards for its evaluation. These rankings serve as a benchmark for universities to improve while also assisting students in making informed judgements. According to THE, the rankings are likely to increase as the OLR methodology is refined through a global consultation process scheduled for early 2025.
