“A greater use of online courses in higher education could end up widening inequalities, rather than narrowing them, according to a new report. And far more support for students may need to be put in place to make sure online education delivers on its promise. Online courses have been seen as one way of reducing inequalities, by providing low-cost opportunities for students who might not otherwise be able to afford higher education. But a new study finds that they may be having the opposite effect, with higher drop-out rates and diminished performance particularly pronounced among groups who already have poorer outcomes, further widening the existing achievement gap.”