E-learning is becoming popular among students who are working, or may have difficulties getting to a third level college.

E-learning is becoming popular among students who are working, or may have difficulties getting to a third level college.

"Online courses are useful for people who are strapped for time," says John McDonnell, marketing director of Irish e-learning company, CVS Learning. CVS is involved in online tuition for colleges or professinal groups in a number of areas including medicine, psychiatry and engineering.

"Broadband has made a huge difference and has made virtual classes much more viable in the past three years."

"It is about bringing learning to people. Not everyone can travel to a major city to study."

John McDonnell believes there will be a growth in popularity of blended learning.

This is where students receive some of their tuition online, but still attend some lectures or tutorials.

As well as its online tuition for colleges and professional training, CVS also runs the popular second leve site, examsupport.ie.

"We have recently provided a number of our packages to hospitals," says John McDonnell.

"That is a typical niche area where this kind of learning is becoming popular."