A report by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation has found that distance — or online — learning is on the rise and women make up the majority of students. Sixty percent of these nontraditional online learners are over 25 years of age and female.

Working mothers interested in furthering their education are doing so online and adding a difficult "third shift" to their responsibilities as mothers and employees, according to the study, by Cheris Kramarae, the AAUW Educational Foundation's 1999-2000 Scholar-in-Residence.

The report examines the benefits as well as discouraging factors women experience with online learning and concludes with several recommendations to help women with their third shift.

Report Introduction (PDF)

Full report (PDF)

Purchase a print copy at ShopAAUW. (Cost: $9.95)

Questions? Comments? Please contact AAUW Research at foundation@aauw.org with any feedback or questions.

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