Online education is fast becoming acceptable because of its great advantages over traditional schools. According to National Center for Education Statistics - NCES and U.S. Department of Education, distance learning enrollments has risen from 3.1 million in 2001 to 12.2 million in 2006. The online education trend is constantly growing at a rate of 19% which is expected to result in 18 million online degree enrollments by the year 2010.

Following are some of the benefits that will make you understand the value of distance learning.

Self paced Study

Do you want to learn at your choice of time? This is now possible with distance education. One can study at its own convenient time; the online education lets you study wherever you are in a mood or motivated enough to easily get hold on your course/subject.

Economical education

Are you looking for economical education with accreditation? Online education is far more economical then campus based education because the online universities don't have to pay for electricity usage in class rooms, per lecture fee for professors, staff salaries, and at last the online universities don't have to maintain and manage complete university which is real expensive; in short the online university expenses got reduced while providing the same quality standards and accreditation. Because of less expenditure, they offer courses and degrees at lowers fees as compared to campus schools.

Accredited Degree

Degrees offered by online universities are always accredited with higher authorities, those which are not could be scams (be aware of them) or will bring you no benefit. Some of the accreditation authorities are International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU) for United States, United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Before opting for any online degree or course, one have to make sure that the online institute in accredited with USDE and CHEA.

24/7 Availability of Lectures

Online education facilitates self scheduled study plan because online lectures are available 24/7, one is not required to be in class at specific time to attend the lecture. This has also increased study to time ratio, means to increase grasping power because study plan is not dependent on strict university schedule where students have to be in class whether they can grasp or not, on the other hand, online learning facilitates learning at time when the student wants to learn. However there are certain level of constrains e.g. to submit assignment on time, achieve certain marks to pass the course etc

World Wide University/Course Selection

Distance learning is another sign of global village; the growing trends of online education can be assessed by the stats that 96% of the colleges and universities within U.S are offering distance learning courses and degree programs. Among them are the world's best universities including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Yale University.

Student Interactivity and Discussion

Online education also facilitates student's group discussions through forums, chat rooms, and discussion boards where students around the worlds can contribute to and participate in and start group discussions. There platforms are managed by the online universities to keep discipline. These platforms also support teacher and student discussion where students can ask their teacher about problems and concerns.