by Mary Therese

Created on: April 08, 2008

Distance learning extends the range of learning beyond the typical classroom, school, college or university. It makes education more accessible, provides opportunities for job advancement and professional development, and is a great vehicle for personal improvement. Distance learning is generally defined as learning in which the teacher and student are separated by space and/or time. Distance education courses can be delivered through correspondence,television, the World Wide Web, or a combination of these media.

CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Correspondence courses are alive and well, even in the digital age. Many institutions situate these courses in their Independent Studies or Continuing Education departments. Such offerings are excellent options for those without ready access to a high speed computer or flexible schedules. Correspondence courses are frequently operated on a more flexible schedule than other distance education offerings; many are self-paced which provides students the ultimate in flexibility. Course materials may be distributed through postal mail or electronically through a website and student work is typically submitted to the instructors via email, postal mail, or facsimile machine.

TELEVISION COURSES
Cable television providers in the United States often dedicate one or more channels to programs created by educational institutions. Many colleges produce high quality courses covering a broad range of topics to meet the needs of the learners in their geographic region. Through television courses you can learn mathematics, chemistry, psychology, foreign languages, computer science, history, and many other academic subjects. Some primary and secondary schools also offer courses via television. Many teachers encourage interaction by using other technologies like email, chat rooms, voice-over the Internet (VOIP), instant messaging, and course websites.

INTERNET OR WORLD WIDE WEB COURSES
The explosion of the World Wide Web has led to the expansion of educational opportunities for multitudes. In fact, one of the most exciting developments in the World Wide Web is the ever-increasing quantity and quality of distance learning courses. Since instruction is delivered through computer technology, students must be aware technical considerations; problems with hardware and software are a common source of frustration for online learners. Technical areas to consider include internet connection, computer operating system, software and hardware, and prerequisite technical skills. Instructors often expect that students will come to their courses already possessing a certain level of technical proficiency. Helium has numerous informative articles that address this and other topics germane to distance education.

While most distance education courses utilize a single mode of delivery, i.e., television, mail, or the internet, a growing number of institutions employ multiple methods of instructional delivery. Students in a cable or correspondence course may be required to communicate with the instructor via email and submit their assignments through a course website. The World Wide Web provides such a rich array of tools to enhance collaboration, interaction, communication, and learning, hence the pairing of web technologies with traditional delivery modes like cable or correspondence. Distance education students should investigate the specifics of any course to achieve maximum benefit.

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