Online Classes See Rise In Numbers Signifying New Trend In Higher education

Wellesley, MA (AHN) - According to new estimates on trends in higher education and the Web students are taking advantage of options the Internet provides and opting to skip the classroom for a computer monitor. Nearly one in five American students now takes at least one class online.

Members from the Babson Survey Research Group surveyed more than 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide and found that that online enrollment rose by nearly ten percent in fall 2006, to 3.49 million students. Approximately 3.18 million students had at least one online course in fall 2005.

"The growth in online learning continues to far outpace that of the broader student population," said study co-author Dr. I. Elaine Allen Associate Professor of Statistics and Entrepreneurship, Babson College. Allen goes on to say, "Enrollment has increased at an average annual rate of 21.5 percent over the past five years compared with just 1.5 percent average annual growth for the overall higher education population."

Frank Mayadas, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation said, "With online students making up about 20 percent of the higher education population, we are seeing - and will continue to see - online learning playing a major role in the education of America's college students."

Online classes are not all that different from regular classes students have an instructor and classmates and will interact with them during the semester. Typically homework is assigned and class activities will commence.

However taking a class on the Web is different than traditional classroom settings in some important ways. Namely driving to campus is usually eliminated and meeting in a classroom at a regular time and place is not necessary.

This is important because it makes online classes ideal for students who can't attend class at particular times due to other commitments. Communication with your instructor and other students also takes place online, not in person so without an instructor reminding what is due in class each week, there is more responsibility placed on the student for their own learning.