Section Fourfinding is that the design can have a significant impact on
learning effectiveness.^73 Obviously, the Internet has
tremendous ability to supply training. Companies and
universities are rushing to increase their distance learning
capabilities and taking advantage of the Internet’s capabilities.
For example, Duke University now offers an Executive MBA
over the Internet. Several other universities also offer masters’
degrees on the Internet.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship programs are not used extensively in the United
States. Currently, they involve a very small proportion of the
workforce, estimated to be only 0.16 percent. In contrast,
apprenticeships involve 6.5 percent of the workforce in
Germany.^74 Apprenticeship programs are most highly developed
in Germany, where they lead to examination and certification in
approximately 400 occupations.^75 As institutionalized in
Germany, “About 65 percent of each class of middle school
graduates enter apprenticeship training in fields ranging from
skilled manufacturing to office work. Over 3 years, these
would-be-apprentices spend 4 days per week in on-the-job
training and at least 1 day per week at a state-supported
vocational school.”^76 The majority of students involved in the
apprenticeship program, also called dual training, begin when
they are 15 or 16 years old and finish in three years.^77