Distance education provides flexible access to education for students who are unable to attend traditional in-person classes. It utilizes various technologies to deliver instruction either synchronously, with all participants attending at the same time, or asynchronously, allowing students to access materials on their own schedule. Distance education expands access to education, can be as effective as in-person learning when done well, and increases communication among students. It also has financial benefits by reducing transportation and textbook costs. Studies show that high student satisfaction with distance education courses is correlated with improved performance, as motivated students learn more effectively. When implemented thoughtfully, technology can extend educational opportunities and support learning for both students and teachers.

1. KEYAUNA MADDOX
Distance Education
Technologies

2. What is Distance Education?
Distance Education is a mode of delivering education
and instruction, often on an individual basis, to
students who are not physically present in a traditional
setting such as a classroom.

3. What does Distance Education provides?
Distance education provides "access to learning when
the source of information and the learners are
separated by time and distance, or both."

4. What does Distance Education requires?
Distance education courses that require a physical on-
site presence for any reason (including taking
examinations) have been referred to as hybrid or
blended courses of study.

5. Distance Education Technologies
Two Modes of Delivery
Synchronous Learning
Asynchronous Learning

6. Synchronous Learning
All participants are "present" at the same time; it
resembles traditional classroom teaching methods
despite the participants being located remotely and it
requires a timetable to be organized.
 Web Conferencing
 Videoconferencing
 Educational Television
 Instructional Television
 Direct-broadcast Satellite (DBS)
 Internet Radio
 Live Streaming
 Telephone
 Web-based VoIP

7. Asynchronous Learning
Participants access course materials flexibly on their
own schedules. Students are not required to be
together at the same time.
 Mail Correspondence
 Message Board Forums
 E-mail
 Video
 Audio Recordings
 Print Materials
 Voicemail
 Fax

8.  Distance education can expand access to education and training for both
general populace and businesses since its flexible scheduling structure
lessens the effects of the many time-constraints imposed by personal
responsibilities and commitments.
 Distance education programs can act as a catalyst for institutional
innovation and are at least as effective as face-to-face learning programs,
especially if the instructor is knowledgeable and skilled.
 Distance education can also provide a broader method of communication
within the realm of education. With the many tools and programs that
technological advancements have to offer, communication appears to
increase in distance education amongst students and their professors, as
well as students and their classmates.
 Distance education increase in communication, particularly
communication amongst students and their classmates, is an improvement
that has been made to provide distance education students with as many of
the opportunities as possible as they would receive in in-person education.
Benefits of Distance Education

9. Cont. Benefits of Distance Education
 It has been shown through research that "as learners become aware of the variations in
interpretation and construction of meaning among a range of people [they] construct an
individual meaning," which can help students become knowledgable of a wide array of
viewpoints in education.
 To increase the likelihood that students will build effective ties with one another during the
course, instructors should use similar assignments for students across different locations to
overcome the influence of co-location on relationship building.
 The high cost of education affects students in higher education, to which distance education
may be an alternative in order to provide some relief.
 Distance education has been a more cost-effective form of learning, and can sometimes save
students a significant amount of money as opposed to traditional education.
 Distance education may be able to help to save students a considerable amount financially by
removing the cost of transportation.
 Distance education may be able to save students from the economic burden of high-priced
course textbooks. Within the class, students are able to learn in ways that traditional classrooms
would not be able to provide. It is able to promote good learning experiences and therefore,
allow students to obtain higher satisfaction with their online learning.
 For example, students can review their lessons more than once according to their need. Students can then
manipulate the coursework to fit their learning by focusing more on their weaker topics while breezing through
concepts that they already have or can easily grasp.
 When course design and the learning environment are at their optimal conditions, distance
education can lead students to higher satisfaction with their learning experiences.
 Studies have shown that high satisfaction correlates to increased learning. Students who are
enrolled in distance education with high satisfaction in their online coursework are then
motivated intrinsically to learn, which often means that their performance in class will improve.

10. Technology and Distance Learning
The use of digital technologies for learning supports the education
of 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 in developing new ways of learning is
necessary to ensure students have the tools to thrive in a complex
and rapidly changing technological society. Digital technologies for
learning, such as self-paced learning modules, multimedia case
studies, simulations, video tutorials, and communications and
assessment tools, can increase the array of learning opportunities
for adult students and their teachers.