Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) should
increase the number of online courses, and online programs,
offered in the areas of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM). That’s the message of a study supported by a
grant from the National Science Foundation. The study was
conducted by four researchers who teach at Fayetteville State
University in Fayetteville, NC. The study acknowledges the
success of HBCUs in producing African American scientists and
engineers. Researchers concluded, however, that additional
online courses, and online programs, would expand the number of
students who could study these critical subjects.
“Unfortunately, most HBCUs in America do not offer online
programs in STEM fields; however, a few offer online programs in
non-STEM fields,” the researchers said. Concerning resistance to
online teaching, the study found, “A major concern among
educators regarding online courses with laboratory components is
the perception that less skills are gained with virtua