What is Distance Education and Distance Learning?

"Distance Learning" is a general term used to cover the broad range of teaching and learning events in which the student is separated (at a distance) from the instructor, or other fellow learners.

If you are new to the concepts of distance education, then follow some of the links listed below. You'll gain a better appreciation of the scope of learning activities being conducted "at a distance"

Are you ready to take a course "At a distance?" Take PBS's quick test and find out!

Definitions of Distance Learning from various sources:

• The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), an advocacy group founded in 1987, defines distance learning as ..."The acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning at a distance."
• Glossary of Distance Learning Terms by the College of Engineering, University of Idaho.  One of a series of 14 excellent guides in their Distance Learning at a Glance Series.
• Definitions of Distance Learning from the University of Washington.
• Webucation -- A program designed to help bring the Schools of today into the 21st Century by way of the World Wide Web. They offer programs such as putting a School on the Web, Student Home pages, Teacher Home pages, PTA Home pages, E-Mail Networking between teachers and parents and online Year Books. Contact Sean Hastings.  http://www.henterprises.com/webucat/
• Journals Related to Web Based Education -- Found at the Webclass site. This site is designed to support the book "Building a Web-Based Education System" by Colin McCormack and David Jones
• Definitions of Distance Education from Hezel Associates.
• A very nice article introducing the benefits of Distance Education by Laura M. Prosser, MBA, CPA National American University

History of Distance Education

• Take a Look at the Mural on the wall of old Radio Hall at the University of Wisconsin. It depicts some of the very first distance education taking place via "Telephonics" during the 1930's. And while you are at the UW, be sure to check out their outstanding Distance Education Clearinghouse Web Site-- Kudos to Web Manager Michelle Jaques. Then, for even more excellent resources drop by the Department of Learning Technology and Distance Education (DoIT for short)

Major US Accrediting Agencies

• Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC)
• Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
• Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges