Distance education has expanded with new technologies that allow learning to occur outside the traditional classroom. It focuses on pedagogy, technology, and instructional design to deliver education to students who are not physically on-site. Distance learning creates an educational experience through electronic media or real-time communication to suit students' needs outside the classroom. It provides students flexibility to learn on their own schedule while maintaining responsibilities. Though concerns about quality arise from the lack of in-person interaction, distance education extends opportunities to more learners when integrated thoughtfully with digital technologies.

1. Tunisia Wolridge
INST 6031
September 6, 2009
Keeping Track of what you do the easy way- Cuil
Distance education has taken on a whole new era of learning. Technology and
learning is nothing new to today’s standards, but it continues to explode with
new information constantly.
Distance education, is a field of education that focuses on the pedagogy and
andragogy, technology, and instructional systems design that aim to deliver
education to students who are not physically "on site".
In other words, distance learning is the process of creating an educational
experience of equal qualitative value for the learner to best suit their needs
outside the classroom. Rather than attending courses in person, teachers and
students may communicate at times of their own choosing by exchanging
printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to
communicate in real time and through other online ways.
According to the web site of Distance Education, “Distance education brings
together students and teachers separated by geographical distance. Many
distance education programs operate online, allowing quality student-teacher
interaction through live forums, chat, and e-mail.” (distanceeducation.org 2005) As a
personal experience, technology for those who are disciplined enough can
have many options to pursue higher education. Online education allows you to
study when you have time—from early morning to late at night. No long
commute. Your classroom is as close as your living room or home office.

2. Keep your job; take care of your family. You don’t have to give up important
responsibilities to pursue an online education.
Learn where you live. No need to relocate in pursuit of your online degree.
Save money. You’ll save on room and board, college tuition, classroom
supplies, transportation costs, and more. (distanceeducation.org2005)
"Another benefit of using technology in learning today centers around the kind of
graduates society is expecting schools to turn out. Use of technology in the world of
work has shifted the demand for the type of employees that are sought after. Even
workers in the most repetitive jobs (assembly lines) are now required to problem solve
and take responsibility in their position. Using technology in learning allows students
access to the tools they will need to take control of their learning and to problem solve.
No longer do students have to rely on outdated information. They can go directly to
sources and visit first hand with experts to gather information." (my perspective in
technology)
The National Center for Academic Transformation states there is a dispute
going on whether the correct terminology is it “distant education or is it
distance learning”? And even more mystifying is the obsessive concern about
quality assurance in distance education, particularly when it is directed at
accredited colleges and universities. This concern manifests itself as an
ongoing question: how do we really know that students are learning when they
aren't sitting eyeball-to-eyeball with us in a classroom? (National Center 2005)
In conclusion, the use of digital technologies for learning both supports local
efforts to educate adult learners and their teachers and extends educational
opportunities to reach new groups of students. The thoughtful integration of
digital technologies into the traditional scheme of education and their use to
develop new ways of learning is necessary to ensure students have the tools
to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing technological society.
Reference
My perspective in technology in education. Retrieved September 7,2009, from
http://ncsd.k12.pa.us/faculty/jtibbott/techstate.htm

3. (2005)The Center for Academic Transformation : Retrieved September 5, 2009
from http://www.thencat.com/Newsletters/Sept99.html
(2009) www.Distanceeducation.org Retrieved September 5, 2009
Pasted from <file:///E:Distance%20education%20has%20taken%20on%20a%20whole%20new%20era%20of%20learning.doc>