Online education sky rockets

More students are opting to include online classes in their learning regimens than ever before. With more than 6.1 million students logging into class rather than entering a physical classroom, nearly one-third of all students are taking classes online, according to a collaborative study of online learning VatorNews reports.

The study was a collaboration between the Babson Survey Research Group, Kaplan University, Pearson, Sloan-C and Inside Higher Ed.

The report, entitled “The 2011 Survey of Online Learning”, found that 6.1 million students logged on for at least one class last fall, The New York Times notes. That figure represented about a 10% increase from 2009, and a 280% increase from 1.6 million students in 2002, when the organisation began tracking online course enrolment.

The recent 10% growth rate is the lowest in recent years, implying, the report suggested, that growth in online education may be beginning to plateau.

Previously underwritten by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the report has remained independent through the support of Pearson, Kaplan University, Inside Higher Ed and the Sloan Consortium, PR Newswire says. As a result of the partnership with Pearson, the free distribution of the report this year will, for the first time, include an option for an eBook version.