In recent years, technologically adventurous professors worked the Internet into their course, posting the syllabus or responding to student queries. Some of the more skilled put courses online.
Online study is a big step up from the correspondence schools of another era.
Internet bulletin boards function as a virtual classroom for students and teachers who can participate at any time, from anywhere, using a computer and a modem. But the trend at American schools is to make it possible to earn a degree online rather than just take a few individual classes. And now, with continuing education becoming a necessity for professionals, online education is a practical way to continue learning new skills. Continuing education, always a career-booster, is now a requirement for most workers. The 1990s are a time when workers are flexible, job descriptions are elastic and technology is always changing.