Learning online: Factors associated with use of the Internet for education purposes

This article investigates the use of the Internet for education-related reasons based on findings from the 2005 Canadian Internet Use Survey (CIUS). After providing an overview of Internet use in Canada, the article describes selected social, economic and geographic characteristics of those going online for education-related reasons. It then examines specific reasons for going online for education-related purposes, including for distance education, self-directed learning and correspondence courses. Finally, it examines urban and rural differences among those using the Internet for distance education.