This document discusses trends in distance education and online learning in North America. It notes that distance education is entering the mainstream, with over half of institutions now seeing online education as critical to their long-term strategy. It highlights growing enrollment rates in online courses and programs. The document also examines how the information revolution is driving changes similar to those caused by the industrial revolution over a century ago. These include new types of institutions and a focus on workforce development and skills for the information society.

1. Distance Education in North America Entering the Mainstream