Taking Classes Via Live Web Video

Taking classes via live web video is a new phenomenon. A company like eduFire.com has raised, in a second round of capital, $1.3 million, for his educational marketplace.

This company has expanded beyond its initial focus on learning languages to offer classes in standarized test preparation and technology training. Now classes on how to use Facebook and Twitter are catching on with audiences.

Also there is an emergence of almost-real-time classes. For example, when Iran protesters were on the spot, classes on the modern history of Iran started popping up on the site.

Launched a year ago, eduFire has now 5,000 teachers and 30,000 students have signed up so far.

Students can take unlimited classes for $29 a month.

The main idea is that a visitor to eduFire community can either jump into a spontaneous session with a teacher that's already online, or schedule a lesson for a later date. Prices for each session are determined by the teacher. Cost is no less than $10 an hour, of which eduFire takes a 15 percent cut.

Anyone can sign up to be a teacher. The community rates them. Teachers can provide an intro video to help sell their services. The first 10 minutes are free. So far only one-to-one sessions are offered, but there are plans to roll out one-to-many sessions as well.