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.

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.

Online higher education has been on the rise for at least ten years. It has proven to be a convenient and effective way to earn a college degree. Lately there have been more and more articles in the news about public school districts turning to online education for their K-12 students. Massachusetts and West Virginia are just two states that are currently making virtual schools a reality. In fact, online schools in MA could open as soon as the fall of 2011.

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 has been a lot of debate about whether or not online education is a money saver. There are definitely valid points on both side of the argument. The truth is that online education does save you money, but just not for the reasons that most people think.

I find it comical that the number one argument people give for not wanting to take an online class is that you need to be self disciplined. Hello guys! What is wrong with that exactly? If anything online education teaches you a valuable life lesson early on that you can carry with you a lifetime.

Look, you need to be self disciplined to get to class at a ground university too, right? And you still need to put the work in to earn a good grade, right? I guess I just don’t understand the warped logic.

I think the person who set the five class per semester / four year model to secure a bachelors degree was a glutton for punishment. Four years to get a BA or BS is just not very feasible these days. However, some students have turned to online education to help them stay the four year course.

Capella University, an accredited, fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults, has released its latest Inside Online Education podcast.

Penn State has been a central Pennsylvania institution for more than 150 years, but to hear Wayne Smutz tell it, it’s time to start branching out.