Distance learning and elearning are usually linked with furthering an education. The technology of distance learning, along with the opportunities provided by elearning and online courses, are making it easier for thousands of people to learn something new.

Busy adults can advance their careers by finishing a degree or gaining some special skills, and young students can earn college credit well before they graduate high school, often through distance learning or elearning opportunities.

But do you realize that distance learning and elearning can be just for fun? Maybe it's always been a dream - to learn to paint with watercolors. But there's no class offered nearby. Or maybe you've had a desire to learn to master a foreign language, not because of any requirements to do so, but simply because you want to know how.

Perhaps it's even more basic than that - your lawnmower continually breaks down and you just want to be able to impress your friends by fixing it yourself.

Technology often advances in response to specific needs. People needed a way to finish a degree online so businesses, universities and colleges stepped in to create that opportunity.

But as is often the case, the technology exists in a basic format and users have some control over what happens next. That's probably the reason that some very basic skills, trades and lessons can be learned online - "elearned."

The idea of lifelong learning is not new, though some of the terms generally associated with lifelong learning are constantly being updated. Distance learning, elearning and other such words signify the ability for a person to gain knowledge without sitting in a classroom.

Most adults continue to long for knowledge long after their days in a classroom are over. Different people set about gaining that knowledge in different ways. Some choose topics and just start reading, gathering whatever books and materials they can find.

Others seek out the professionals and sign up for lessons or classes. Many people are putting technology to work for them, seeking out online courses for elearning about a myriad of topics.

It's easy to find colleges, universities and businesses that offer degrees or specific classes as either distance learning or online courses. Finding those "fun" things might be a little more difficult, but you can start by talking to family and friends.

You might find that some of them have even taken some online courses. Check with local schools, colleges, universities, community centers and libraries. While these aren't clearing houses of information about online classes, there may be listings of specific classes available.