As interest grows, more and more schools are investing in remote learning. Why the huge up

surge of interest in remote learning？ The Internet revolution is part of the answer. The Web now provides a formerly missing ingredient in distance education—quick and easy communication between students and instructors, and among classmates. In addition, demand for distance courses has increased thanks to the evolution of the information-based economy. "To stay employable, workers need to keep on learning," says Kay Kohl, executive director of the University Continuing Education Association. This trend has given rise to an older pool of graduate students: Today, more than half are over age 30, and nearly one quarter are over 40. Distance education often is a great fit for these working adults, many of whom find it difficult to skip a child's ballet lesson or fight rush-hour traffic to get to a university campus for class.

"I had always wanted a master's degree, but it's hard to suspend a career and a family for it, especially when the closest school of public health is four hours away," says Jerry Parks, 45, assistant health director for Albemarle Regional Health Services. As it turns out, he didn't have to move to get his degree: After three years of coursework via teleconferencing and the Internet, Parks is finishing up a master's from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

As more people turn to distance education, a debate has flared over whether it can be a good substitute for face-to-face instruction. Thomas Russell, author of a report titled "The No Significant Difference Phenomenon", argues that the two modes of instruction are equivalent as far as student learning is concerned.

But critics say that many of the studies cited in Russell's book are poorly designed, and they vehemently disagree with his point of view, "I don't think you can get any education over the Internet," says David Noble, a historian of technology at York University. "Education requires a relationship between people because it's a process of identity formation, encouragement, and inspiration. This only happens face to face."

What is the main reason for the workers to acquire further education？

A．They like to study.

B．They merely want to get the certificates.

C．They have to go on learning to keep their job.

D．They want to change their job.