Did you know that 10% of higher education schools plan on adding MOOC courses, or Massive Open Online Courses, to their institutions? Online education has been growing in popularity for some time. After 2006, the government lifted the rule that online degree programs couldn’t qualify for federal student aid without 50% of students located on a campus. This opened the door for many students who wanted or needed a more flexible schooling environment. Thinking about participating in distance online education? Here are three facts you should keep in mind.

1. Online Education for Kids

It might surprise you to learn that online education isn’t only for adults. In fact, in 2010, 27% of high school students took at least one class online. Online education for kids can be a useful tool in many situations. For homeschooled children, it can be a way to engage with current and challenging material and knowledgeable instructors. It can help many kids get a leg up on schoolwork by delivering lessons in a media format they understand and like using. For high schoolers looking forward, online university courses can help prepare them for college.

2. It Isn’t for Everyone

Studies have shown that students enrolled in online classes are about 15% more likely to drop out than those who take on campus classes. Although many of us assume that online courses will be easier– what’s harder than clicking things and watching lecture videos? The courses themselves can be not only as challenging as a traditional class, but require more discipline on the part of the student. You will need to be on time with assignments and not leaving your reading off until the last minute. To be fair, though, if you look for help, it’s easy to find. All the top online colleges offer extensive assistance resources to interested students.

3. Accredited Online Education is the Way to Go

While some students interested in online learning might be concerned about its perceived legitimacy, the reality is that these schools are a fairly safe investment. Accreditation is key; regional accreditation is accepted by most employers. To get an idea of the full value of a school, just check out online university reviews the same as you would for any institution. This will give you an idea of graduation rates, after school employment rates, professor quality, et cetera.

Have you taken an online course?