What
is Distance Learning?
- Learning where the instructor and the
students are in physically separate locations. Can be either synchronous
or asynchronous . Can include correspondence , video or satellite broadcasts,
or e-Learning . Usually implies the higher education level.
- A system and a process that connects
learners with distributed learning resources. While distance learning
takes a wide variety of forms, all distance learning is characterized
by the following: 1) separation of place and/or time between instructor
and learner, among learners, and/or between learners and learning resources,
and 2) interaction between the learner and the instructor, among learners,
and/or between learners and learning resources conducted through one
or more media; use of electronic media is not necessarily required.
- The incorporation of video and audio
technologies so that students can "attend" classes and training
sessions that are being presented at a remote location. Distance learning
systems are usually interactive and are becoming a highly-valuable tool
in the delivery of training and education to widely-dispersed students
or in instances where the instructor cannot travel to the student's
site.
- Some universities/colleges offer courses
which students can take off-campus, via a variety of means, such as:
Internet, videotapes, or cable television.
- One of a group of terms that overlap with each other, including open learning, flexible learning, correspondence courses, and even supported self-study and resource-based learning.The main point about distance learning is that there is geographical distance between the learner and the teacher. For example, the learner is working at home while the teacher is based at a school or college, or is also working from their home. However, this is only one aspect of open or flexible learning.