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With the advent of the Internet, educators discovered a new medium for communicating with students. Throughout the 1990s, online education evolved from basic corporate computer-based training programs to be embraced by colleges and universities across the country. As technology continues to advance, so does the nature of online education.

Online education is a form of distance learning that emphasizes the use of a personal computer. Students take courses via the Internet and utilize a variety of audio and video technologies to enhance their electronic communication with instructors. Of course, there are some hybrid education courses that allow students to complete a portion of their work online, but also require in-class sessions.

Web-based higher education is growing quickly, according to a recent study by the Sloan Consortium, a nonprofit organization that analyzes online learning trends. The number of people taking advantage of online education is increasing by about 13 percent each year. In comparison, enrollments at traditional colleges and universities are growing by only 1.2 percent a year. Additionally, more and more private and public colleges and universities are offering online courses. In the fall of 2007, more than 3.9 million students were taking at least one course online.

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to taking online education courses. Full-time workers, hospitalized individuals, and others who are unable to attend traditional, in-class sessions can benefit greatly from the flexibility of online courses. On the other hand, it is an unfortunate reality that the quality of education one receives at an online school can be mediocre in comparison to the quality of education one receives at a traditional school.

Also, to be successful in an online school, students must be able to work independently, or else they will fail. According to an SRI International evaluation of virtual high schools, the “stop-out” (enrolled students who have stopped completing their assigned coursework) and drop-out rates are higher for students enrolled in online courses than for students in traditional face-to-face courses.