south dakota has more online student than ever. Recent reports show that the number of online learners has soared since 2004. Here's a blurb about the latest distance learning statistics from the Argus Leader:

"Nearly 14,500 students were enrolled in some type of distance education course in the public university system last year, the South Dakota Board of Regents learned Thursday.

Distance education students in the system have increased by 43 percent since 2004.

Internet course offerings in the public university system have grown to now comprise a majority of the distance-delivered courses.

Course registrations in distance education increased by 16 percent last year, for a total of 22,626 registrations in the 2006-07 academic year. Course registrations are up 52 percent since 2004."

Online learning programs seem to be expanding everywhere in the United States. In some places, such as South Dakota, they're growing even faster than expected.