| Students who are not physically sitting in a | | | | institutions using a mode of delivery, which |
| class room to get their education are taught | | | | is flexible. Find more info at many cases, |
| using technology based instructional systems | | | | students do sit in traditional classrooms and |
| designed for remote access. This system is | | | | they are connected to a teacher in a distant |
| known as distance learning or distance | | | | classroom through videoconference. This |
| education. Students and teachers communicate | | | | technology increases the power of teaching |
| with each other through printed materials or | | | | and learning.During its history, distance |
| electronic media or using a technology that | | | | learning has passed through the experience of |
| provides real-time communications.Distance | | | | four to five different methods of teaching |
| learning uses regular mail for | | | | using the technology available at that time. |
| correspondence. Real-time or offline internet | | | | The technology that was used were print, |
| resources are also used in this system. | | | | video/audio broadcasts, teleconference using |
| Television or radio is used to make | | | | video/audio technology, instruction aided by |
| educational broadcasts to reach the students | | | | computers and computer based broadcasting. In |
| of distance learning. | | | | developing nations, the radio is used for |
| | | | distance learning and considered to be a very |
| Isaac Pitman used the very first modern | | | | powerful medium. In India the virtual |
| distance learning system in 1840 to teach | | | | university and distance learning centers use |
| shorthand through correspondence.Since 1946, | | | | FM broadcasting which is very popular among |
| correspondence courses in the | | | | the students.Earlier models of distance |
| distance-learning mode were offered by the | | | | learning used regular mail to dispatch |
| University of South Africa, which is one of | | | | written materials. Among the developing |
| the oldest distance learning universities in | | | | nations, this method is still used in |
| the world. In UK, the Open University was | | | | distance learning.In distance learning both |
| founded in 1969.For-profit institutions, | | | | full time and part time studies are possible |
| non-profit organizations, public and privates | | | | but most of the students prefer part time |
| institutions are offering degree programs and | | | | studies. Even though distance learning is |
| courses in distance learning. There is | | | | offered at various levels, it is the most |
| varying level of accreditation for such | | | | popular option for university level studies. |
| institutions. Some of the institutions in USA | | | | Distance learning is also known as |
| have very little focus from the countries | | | | correspondence courses since the teacher and |
| outside and some of them are mere diploma | | | | the student corresponded through the regular |
| mills, which are mostly fraudulent.The | | | | mail. For children living in remote areas |
| distance-learning program was greatly | | | | secondary and primary education programs are |
| benefited in the twentieth century by using | | | | available.Testing material caused trouble for |
| Internet, television and radio.Even though | | | | distance learning right from its inception. |
| the presence of a student is not compulsory | | | | The problem occurs when the student has to |
| in distance learning, with the advent of | | | | complete the assignment and undergo testing. |
| technology, physical presence or lack of it | | | | In distance learning a student is completely |
| has become an option. In distance learning, | | | | removed from supervision during the |
| electronic classrooms can be classified as | | | | evaluation period.Lucy Bartlett is a proud |
| off campus or on campus. It is known as | | | | contributing author. |