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Taking an online class is one way students are getting ahead and even saving gas money.

Kenneth Hall, a history professor at Ball State University, said online enrollment is on the rise and that convenience has students signing up. Hall teaches History 150 though a program called “Mediasite.” Mediasite is in its second summer and allows students to watch classroom lectures online. Because homework, quizzes and exams are administered online as well, students never have to leave their houses.

“I was just burnt out, sitting in the classroom all semester, so I just want to hurry up and get it done,” Marcus Kendricks, a Ball State University senior who is taking an on-line educational psychology class said.

The popularity of online classes is more than students not leaving their houses to get their grades, but also the rising gas prices – students do not have to commute to campus or other off-campus sites and save more money on fuel.

“Oh, that had a lot to do with it. I got Internet at home, it’s more convenient. I work at my own pace basically so it worked out for the best for me,” Kendricks said.

Hall said online classes help students manage their time. Another aspect of taking an online class is having the flexibility to work around people’s schedules and allows them to work a summer job if they want. “You basically make money and then you can also do your course requirements in the process,” Hall said.

Some students still prefer to be on campus and in a classroom. Jeffrey Laub, a Ball State graduate, said he thinks there are drawbacks to taking an online course. “One of the benefits to coming to college in general is interacting with people, getting different view points.”

Hall says that while it’s convenient to take classes online, he still recommends the traditional classroom setting to get the full college experience.