This document provides an overview of distance education, defining it as a formal educational process where instruction occurs when the student and instructor are not in the same place, employing technologies like correspondence study, audio, video, or computers. It discusses the history of distance education dating back to the 1700s, how technologies like instructional films, slides, television and the internet have enabled its growth. Recent developments highlighted include most off-campus instruction occurring through telecommunications by 2000, and programs established in Canada to provide distance education access to rural communities.