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Why Take Classes Online?

Thanks to the Internet, distance learning has taken the world by storm and changed the face of education. Enrollment in distance education classes nationwide doubled between 1995 and 1998 and will continue growing at an incredible rate. But why have online classes become so popular? What do distance learning courses on the Internet offer that traditional classes don't?

Classes Anywhere, Anytime, Anyhow

One of the greatest benefits of distance learning is convenience. Unlike traditional classes, online courses rarely have regular meetings. Students still complete regular assignments -- and may even have the occasional scheduled chat with a professor or other students -- but the vast majority of studying and schoolwork is done whenever the student can fit it in.

This means that students with full-time jobs and families have far more flexibility to pursue their degrees than ever before. Rather than trying desperately to schedule classes around a 9-to-5 job or a child's piano lessons, online courses allow students to complete their schoolwork and studying when it best suits them. That means no (or, at least, few) obligatory lectures and class meetings -- and more time to study at your own pace.

Every Course Imaginable

Do you live in a remote area where local course offerings are slim or, in many areas of study, virtually nonexistent? Online education changes all of that -- no matter where you live, thanks to the Internet you can almost always find an online school that offers a distance learning program in your desired field. Online education means no more commuting; students can sit in their pajamas and do their coursework at home, in front of their computer, whenever they want.

Better Access to Faculty

It seems a bit paradoxical -- the idea that you can actually have more contact with your professors (and fellow students) in an online classroom, despite the fact that you'll never actually see those people. But it very often works out that way.

When taking a class on-campus, your access to instructors is often limited to class time and office hours -- each of which must be shared with all of your teacher's other students. In an online course, however, you'll be able to contact your instructors via email or message boards whenever you wish (not that they'll respond instantly, of course; be patient!). This is a huge win for shy and quiet students who are normally too timid to speak up in a classroom; now they can formulate their questions and ask them without the pressure of being "on the spot".

The vast majority of colleges and universities now offer some form of distance learning as part of their curriculum, and it's easy to see why. Online education opens up unprecedented possibilities for students. Whether it's the convenience, flexibility, or potential for greater communication -- pursuing your degree online can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

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