Studying online has arrived in Bermuda with the help of Media Tek, an information technology training centre based in Hamilton.

The Victoria Street computer school has branched out and linked up with the US e-learning college KnowledgeNet, based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

And now the Bermuda company is offering a range of computer and information technology courses

"I believe Media Tek is the first training provider in Bermuda to fully embrace e-learning," said company president Michael Rhodes.

"Right now the trend is towards industry and professional work-related IT certificates, and that is what we are currently offering."

He said all a student has to do is to call him for information or log onto Knowledgenet.com, have a look at the range of courses offered and even take part in a demo of how the courses work.

The courses offer e-mentors and discussion groups as well as taking students through the required course work for a qualification.

Asked if students learn better with a teacher in a classroom rather than online, Mr. Rhodes said: "I would say that people who are new to computers might need more personal interaction in a class room. But the people who would be looking to get these kinds of qualifications are used to this kind of thing and easily adapt to Internet learning."

Courses offered include CompTIA (A+, Network+ and i-Net+), Microsoft (MPC, MCSE, MCSD and MCDBA) and Cisco (CCNA, CCNP,CCDA and CCDP) - all courses for computer and IT professionals.

Other professional qualifications include HTML, Java2 and Unix.

The web-based learning programme comes complete with animation and voice-overs and has an "on-line campus" and virtual hands-on labs in which to carry out tests and experiments without actually blowing a company's system.

Mr. Rhodes added: "There is a certain amount of self-discipline involved, as with any learning. But there is a personal tutor to help and guide so it is interactive. The tutor uses e-mail to communicate and is there to challenge the student, give assignments and answer any questions."