By John Tipton

Distance learning and elearning are usually linked with
furthering an education. The technology of distance
learning, along with the opportunities provided by
elearning and online courses, are making it easier for
thousands of people to learn something new.

Busy adults can advance their careers by finishing a degree
or gaining some special skills, and young students can earn
college credit well before they graduate high school, often
through distance learning or elearning opportunities.

But do you realize that distance learning and elearning can
be just for fun? Maybe it's always been a dream - to learn
to paint with watercolors. But there's no class offered
nearby. Or maybe you've had a desire to learn to master a
foreign language, not because of any requirements to do so,
but simply because you want to know how.

Perhaps it's even more basic than that - your lawnmower
continually breaks down and you just want to be able to
impress your friends by fixing it yourself.

Technology often advances in response to specific needs.
People needed a way to finish a degree online so
businesses, universities and colleges stepped in to create
that opportunity.

But as is often the case, the technology exists in a basic
format and users have some control over what happens next.
That's probably the reason that some very basic skills,
trades and lessons can be learned online - "elearned."

The idea of lifelong learning is not new, though some of
the terms generally associated with lifelong learning are
constantly being updated. Distance learning, elearning and
other such words signify the ability for a person to gain
knowledge without sitting in a classroom.

Most adults continue to long for knowledge long after their
days in a classroom are over. Different people set about
gaining that knowledge in different ways. Some choose
topics and just start reading, gathering whatever books and
materials they can find.

Others seek out the professionals and sign up for lessons
or classes. Many people are putting technology to work for
them, seeking out online courses for elearning about a
myriad of topics.

It's easy to find colleges, universities and businesses
that offer degrees or specific classes as either distance
learning or online courses. Finding those "fun" things
might be a little more difficult, but you can start by
talking to family and friends.

You might find that some of them have even taken some
online courses. Check with local schools, colleges,
universities, community centers and libraries. While these
aren't clearing houses of information about online classes,
there may be listings of specific classes available.
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Find out why distance learning lets anyone go back to
school. Discover what you need to look for in a distance
learning program, and what you should avoid. Click
http://www.distance-learning-exclusive.com/

About the author:
John Tipton dropped out of school early, and worked boring
jobs for 20 years. Then he discovered 'distance learning'
and finally got the education he missed. After lots of
different courses at lots of different schools, Peter
shares his experience in this series of useful articles.


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