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Home > Distance Learning

Updated 05/05/05

DISTANCE LEARNING

 

Distance vs. Traditional Education

Traditionally, our system of education places the emphasis on the institution rather than the learner. The classroom is the main source for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and all curricula is oriented to traditional disciplines and professions. Degree requirements are based on institutional standards and policy, and the degree is awarded when all credits are earned within a set period of time.

Distance learning (or distance education) is student-oriented and exactly what the term implies-any type of study that takes place when the instructor and the student(s) are separated by physical distance, with printed materials and various technologies used for communication and program delivery.

Whether the student chooses to enroll in just one course or an entire degree program, the distance learner determines what s/he will learn, and how and when that learning will take place. The responsibility for learning rests squarely with the learner. For that reason, s/he must be extremely motivated and self-disciplined in order to have a successful distance learning experience.

Educational Technology *

The range of distance learning technologies available fall into four broad categories:

  • Voice:  Instructional audio tools including the interactive technologies of telephone, audioconferencing, and short-wave radio. Passive (i.e., one-way) audio tools include tapes and radio.
  • Video:  Instructional video tools including still images such as slides, pre-produced moving images (e.g., film, videotape), and real-time moving images combined with audioconferencing (one-way or two-way video with two-way audio)
  • Data:  Computers send and receive information electronically. For this reason, the term data is used to describe this broad category of instructional tools. Computer applications for distance education are varied and include:
    • Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)--The computer is used as a self-contained teaching machine to present individual lessons.
    • Computer-managed instruction (CMI)--The computer is used to organize instruction and track student records and progress. The instruction itself need not be delivered via a computer, although CAI is often combined with CMI.
    • Computer-mediated education (CME)--This describes computer applications that facilitate the delivery of instruction. Examples include electronic mail, fax, real-time computer conferencing, and World-Wide Web applications.
  • Print: A foundational element of distance education programs and the basis from which all other delivery systems have evolved. Various print formats are available including textbooks, study guides, workbooks, course syllabi, and case studies.

Non-Traditional Features

The flexible nature of distance education allows students a variety of nontraditional options for earning credits which may be incorporated into the undergraduate distance degree program--transfer credit from accredited college courses (including distance education courses), credit by examination, and credit for experiential learning (any relevant learning experience in which the knowledge gained can be demonstrated through a portfolio process to be equivalent to college-level learning).

For more information on distance learning go to:

FAQ's on Distance Learning, Accreditation, and College Degrees

A Guide to Distance Learning

* Source: Campus-Free College Degrees: Thorson's Guide to Accredited College Degrees through Distance Learning, Marcie Kisner Thorson, Adams Media, 1999