Students at Glasgow Caledonian University could soon be among the first in the UK to download lectures as podcasts and post essays on social-networking sites like MySpace and Bebo.

The virtual learning techniques could mean the students never have to venture into the university campus for classes.

Researchers at the university have been investigating the communication methods used by students outside the classroom, and plan to incorporate these into teaching and study methods.

It is hoped by using modern methods of communication, such a podcasts, text messaging, MSN messenger, MySpace and Bebo, learning will become more accessible for young people.

Students would be able to talk through ideas on MSN messenger, upload essays and ideas on Bebo, and download their lectures in the form of a podcast.

Allison Littlejohn, director of Glasgow Caledonian Research Academy, which is carrying out the research, insists modern communication technologies could soon become the norm.

She said: "Traditionally, people had to learn in Latin and then there was the big revolution when people learned in English, and now people are communicating in so many different ways and using different technologies which could alter how students learn and how we teach them.

"Some of these technologies aren't seen as valid ways of learning when they could be. They can upload resources to MySpace or can text in different ways."

Glasgow Caledonian University's Business School has already started to embrace the digital age by encouraging students to text each other, and by giving them Palm Pilot computers, where they can access course material and seminars.

Some lecturers have even implemented Who Wants to be a Millionaire-type handheld devices, where students can answer multiple choice questions in lectures.

There are fears this pioneering approach could lead to students deserting the campus and never meeting face-to-face with their peers.

But the scheme is intended to compliment the traditional learning methods and not to replace them.

Student representatives are concerned the move could spell the end for traditional universities, and force divisions between students.

James Alexander, president of the National Union of Students Scotland, is worried the scheme could alienate poor students who cannot afford to buy a computer or an iPod.

He said: "There is a danger that trying to encourage these kinds of things might leave some students feeling left out. Not all students are computer literate or even own a computer at home, because they can't afford it.

The research institute at the university is planning to produce a set of recommendations in August, to be sent to universities across the UK, detailing types of technologies that could be introduced by lecturers.