- According to Universities.com, the first college to offer distance learning classes was the University of Maryland University College. These distance education classes took correspondence courses to the next level by allowing students to study at their own pace, submit work to their instructors and learn without attending an on campus lecture or class. These classes provided students with options for finishing their degrees faster, take multiple classes during a semester or term without scheduling conflicts and improve their educational opportunities. In the mid-1990s, distance education became popular at many community colleges and with the growth of the Internet, online classes became the next step in the natural evolution of distance learning.
- Students attending the University of Phoenix to achieve Bachelor's degrees may complete their degree programs in as little as 18 months if they meet the prerequisites (see Resources section below). Students may transfer credits from previous college attendance (both community and university level) as well as qualify work experience for college credits. Students at the University of Phoenix attend accelerated classes, which condense 15 week courses into 5 weeks. The work is densely packed, features multiple assignments both individual and team oriented and is heavy on reading, but students are required to be self-starters with the ability to meet the demands of the classes. One advantage of the online classes at the University of Phoenix is the format they follow in these 5-week time frames. Students quickly become used to the demands and deadlines of the schedule.
- The advantages of taking online classes have not escaped the corporate world. Many corporations are willing to subsidize employee educational efforts if it improves employee performance, career options and corporate interests. Companies like FedEx Kinkos, America Online, Microsoft and many others offer employees educational reimbursement programs that pay for 80 to 100 percent of their educational fees if they meet a certain grade point average. Online classes are very popular with students and employees in the high-tech industry with degrees in business and computer science. They are also popular with adults returning to college.
- Among the many benefits for students returning to college and taking online classes are the advantages of flexible scheduling, reduced costs, available degree programs and reduced economic hardship (no associated childcare and fuel costs). Online classes are popular because they allow many students the opportunities to go to college who may never have been able to before. Online students need to be self-starters, but success in an online classroom may translate to greater self-esteem and self-reliance in all aspects of life (see Resources section below).
- Despite the advantages of going back to college and taking online classes, this method of learning is not for everyone. Students who are not effective time managers and self-starters will struggle with online classes. Students who are auditory learners (learn better by listening) may find online classes are more difficult than traditional classrooms. Students should also not expect that online classes will be easy.
