Bill Gates thinks something is going to die too.

No, it’s not physical books like Nicholas Negroponte — instead, Gates thinks the idea of young adults having to go to universities in order to get an education is going to go away relatively soon. Well, provided they’re self-motivated learners.

More than 38,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), with 31 percent enrolled in Capella’s doctoral degree programs, and 47 percent enrolled in Capella’s master’s degree programs.

With a national unemployment rate of 9.5%, there are a lot of people on the hunt for new jobs. Many employers have finally started hiring again after the economic downturn, but those who have been out of the job search game for a while are finding themselves unqualified, or in need of further education. Between job searching and family commitments, it can be difficult for many unemployed people to find the time and money to go back to school. Online education is a great option for people in this position.

The Obama administration is delaying the release of a proposed rule that would cut federal financial aid flowing to for-profit colleges, Congressional aides said today. Analysts said the move means the government may back away from a regulation the industry is fighting.

A recent article in the New York times reports that Walmart will soon provide a significant amount of financial assistance to employees who are interested in obtaining online degrees.

Students who want to complete their bachelor’s degree in three years already have plenty of opportunities to do so. Although online education is often pitched as a way to complete a degree gradually, it is a great way to accelerate your degree. Online schools are flexible and students can complete a degree in any number of years.

There is no question that online education makes taking classes easier. However, some people have the misconception that the classes themselves are easier. This is not the case. The academic content covered in online classes is just as challenging as the content covered in physical classrooms.

In his recent 2010 annual letter, Bill Gates sang high praises for online education.”A lot of people, including me, think this is the next place where the internet will surprise people in how it can improve things,” he wrote. Gates believes that online education could completely change the educational experience for students. He said that thus far technology has hardly changed education at all and that online learning should be more than just lectures. He thinks that it should use lessons tailored to the individual student’s learning needs.

Whether you’ve just lost your job or have been out of work for what seems like forever, you should be considering getting more education at an online school.

You have the funding and support to go to nursing school, you’re all prepared to go, and you strike a brick wall. Nursing programs have so many applicants that you have to go to the end of a long line. There’s a reason for this. Think nursing shortage. Also, nursing is attractive nowadays because even when many people in all kinds of careers are unemployed, there are well-paying jobs for nurses. Besides, there are many ways to advance as a degreed nurse.