Online courses changing college classrooms: But humanities classes remain rare in the digital world - John Keilman, Chicago Tribune

Virtual education at the college level has exploded over the last decade, with one survey finding that about a third of all students today take at least one class online. The humanities, though, remain a relative rarity in the digital world. Most online bachelor's degree programs offered by Illinois universities focus on practical or professional subjects, such as business, nursing or criminal justice. But aided by a grant meant to further such studies, the University of Illinois at Springfield designed online degree programs in three fields — English, history and philosophy. Some Chicago-area students enrolled in the courses say their experiences have taught them that online education can be far more than just a convenient substitute for traditional classrooms. (access to complete article requires free registration) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-online-humanities-20130429,0,6844681,full.story