It was at about the time that gas prices made their way to $2, $3 and $4 a gallon...that more and more college courses came to be available on-line. And with $4 gas changing people's driving habits, more and more students are taking advantage of cyber-college. West Virginia University at Parkersburg this coming year is offering a record 115 on-line courses.

"We have, because the classes seem to fill up so quickly, and the students really seem to enjoy them," says Interim Admissions Director Leslie Sims. "We even offer a biology class and lab, so our faculty have found ways to accomodate different subject areas so our classes can be taught on-line."

Online classes are conducted from the school, but a student can access them through their own computers. Of course, a student has to have an accessible internet computer to participate.

"They have to be available to submit their papers on-line, via e-mail or Web C.T.," Sims says. "They have to be available to meet the deadlines, because they're not going to be in a traditional class setting to be aware of deadlines, or to be able to discuss things interactively, through chat rooms or e-mail."

And as gas prices continue to rise, more and more people seeking a college degree may switch from driving...to surfing.