College students across the nation, and possibly around the world, are receiving a 21st century education by virtue of the "virtual" world, the Washington Post reports.

The U.S. Department of Education reports that as of 1998, 1.4 million students were enrolled in distance learning programs for a total of 50,000 college-level courses from accredited universities. The Education Department also finds 44 percent of the nation's colleges and universities offering degrees over the Internet in 1998, a huge jump from just 15 percent in 1997, the Post reports.

Software companies likewise are taking note of the trend. There are several programs available that convert regular course materials to to an online format, and hardware companies are promoting microphones so students can converse with their professor in real time, the newspaper reports.

Of course, the federal government has involved itself by promising to distribute $23 million in education grants this year through Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships to develop Internet classrooms.

One of the largest online course offerings comes from the University of Maryland University College, with more than 200 courses available over the Internet.

Pioneering another technological trend, Wake Forest University is now one of more than 100 around the U.S. that requires students to own a laptop computer.

These technology trends allow professors to post syllabi, stream video and lead chatroom-type discussions.

Some critics contend these approaches are contributing to a decline in the quality of higher education. Some students say online course curriculums are substandard and that it's difficult to log on every day to complete coursework. Others said a lack of human contact devalues the educational experience.

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