The NY Times is detailing a report that concludes that not only is online learning on the increase, it is also increasingly more effective than the traditional classroom.  The report spans a twelve year period and takes data from 99 different studies. What are the implications for educators?  For one, the time and location requirements may become more flexible as more and more schools, universities and continuing education providers seek to provide services that suit this trend.  While some educators will thrive in this online world, others will feel uncomfortable teaching the impersonal computer screen.  Although leaps and bounds have been made in technological advances to counteract the isolationism of online learning, I can't imagine anything taking the place of being surrounded by the lesson. What are the implications for students?  Young students will expect nothing less than online courses of all varieties.  It is what they are accustomed to.  Older students, who are not computer-savvy, may experience friction and frustration as they attempt to learn how the online class operates.  The convenience of doing it at home and on your own time is tempting but the challenges may not balance out.