Simulated study on users' information service choice behaviors
This study develops a model for simulation of users' information service choice behaviors based on the theory of cellular automata. Two elements that could influence the diffusion process of information service are chosen in this model. They are the user's requirements and the service-requirement matching degree. Using this model, several tests are made to simulate the impact of the two different elements on the diffusion process respectively. Result shows that increasing users' requirement can make more users to use the information service, but the effect will decrease gradually when the requirement keeps increasing if the service's quality remains normal. It also shows that the matching degree of service to users' requirement is critical to the service acceptance. It suggests that the service providers should improving service quality according to users' actual requirements.
Using responses from over 2,500 colleges and universities, the study examined the numbers of students involved in online education and the impact of this education for different disciplines and contexts.This report is the sixth in a series of annual reports on a study conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group for the Sloan Consortium. Using responses from over 2,500 colleges and universities, the study sought answers to several questions on online education: * How many students are learning online? * What is the impact of the economy on online enrollments? * Is online learning strategic? * What disciplines are best represented online?