Who is Learning at a Distance?

Most students who enroll in distance education courses are over 25 years old, employed, and have previous college experience. More than half are women. As a group, distance learners are highly motivated. Their course completion rate exceeds that of students enrolled in traditional, on-campus courses. The successful distance learner is by definition a committed student. The individual must have the discipline to establish a regular study schedule each week and adhere to it without having to be reminded by an instructor or classmates to meet deadlines.

A wide range of employers—businesses, hospitals, government offices, and military installations—which find it difficult to release employees for on-campus study, are discovering that it is a good investment to bring the classroom to their worksites. According to a survey conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans, employees rank continuing education as more important than child care, flextime, and family leave.

Presented with permission from Peterson's by Virtual Ink Press™