Online education booms in fuel crisis - Too expensive to go out

By Dave Murray @ Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:00 AM

Section - Business/Financials

Sky-rocketing fuel prices are creating a boom in online education, according to Associated Press. Apparently there are a growing number of students trying to save petrol by enrolling in online classes.

College administrators are reporting that the spike in gas prices, to more than $4 a gallon in most places, has fuelled a surge in students seeking classes without the cost of commuting.

John Bourne, director of the Sloan Consortium, expected petrol prices to bring about a classroom which is half online, half in the building. Villanova University, the engineering school has seen a 40% increase in online enrolment this summer. Few people sign up in summer, so this is a big deal.

An online poll at Victoria College in Texas just under half of students plan to take online classes soon because of fuel costs. As a result of the increased interest, the school is preparing to increase online class capacity for this autumn and next spring. X

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