Not headed back to school this fall? You could be, minus the exorbitant tuition and without even leaving your chair. The web has made it easier than ever before to get a free education, and you'd join the ranks of great thinkers in history who were also self-taught, like Joseph Conrad, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Paul Allen, Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway. You, too, can be an autodidact; the breadth of free educational materials available online is absolutely astonishing. Read more...

As Gerald Powless advanced in rank and responsibility in the US Army, he found it harder and harder to attend traditional college classes. With longer hours, a heaver workload, and more responsibility, Powless looked toward online coursework for the first time in 2003. Enlisted in the Army for almost twenty years, he is considering becoming a history teacher when he retires from the Army. Education opportunities have changed since he began his Army career--today Powless takes advantage of convenient and accessible online education options to earn a bachelor's degree in history. Read more...

Students aren't the only ones being graded on their performance. Online schools are under the microscope as prospective students learn what features to look for prior to enrolling. Any online school merits exploration and asking the correct questions assists students in selecting a suitable program. Read more...

Over 1.2 million students were enrolled in online higher education programs at the close of 2005 according to Eduventures, a leading education market research firm. As students across the nation flock to online degree programs, educators and prospective students alike are wondering: Is online education here to stay? Read more...

There's no need to make the case for online education--it's the most convenient way to get a higher degree. But what about that degree? Is it worth the same as the campus credential? Five years ago online degrees were still a new phenomenon, and many employers did not know what to make of them. Today they're a common sight on elite resumes, and the stigma has faded. With 20% enrollment growth per year and a proven track record in the workplace, online programs are finally commanding the respect they deserve. Read more...

Like thousands of other college students, Kevin Zuill is working on his degree online. He hops on the Internet after work and in his spare time to complete Delaware Technical & Community College assignments for courses in business, marketing, English and economics. But Zuill, 29, is a bit more far afield than many students: He's studying from Antarctica. Read more...

According to the Sloan Consortium, nearly 3.2 million students took at least one online course during the fall term in 2005. This figure is especially impressive when you consider that only a little over 1.9 million students were enrolled in an online course in fall of 2003. The Washington Post reports that the trend is expected to continue, with 1 in 10 students choosing to enroll in an online degree program by 2008.