High gasoline prices, the economic downturn and limited place for campus courses have spurred a spike in applications for some distance learning courses. According to the Tampa Tribune, many schools are adding new courses that can be studied over the internet and students are "rushing" to fill them up, UPI.com said. One Florida college has seen a 36% rise in enrolment for its online and distance qualifications compared to last year's figures - and the "surge" is repeating itself across the country, the dailycal.org said. In addition to the economic benefits studying online can offer, the main attractions of distance learning for students is it lets them learn almost anywhere at their own pace and courses can be fitted around an existing schedule. Online courses can involve using a mixture of email, web-hosted documents and online video and seminars, the USA Study Guide said. A range of qualifications are available through distance learning, it added, from bachelor's and master's degrees to doctorates.  |