This document defines distance education and discusses its history and use of technology. It states that distance education is a formal education system where teaching occurs remotely, using technology to deliver content to students who are off-site. Historically, it used print-based methods like correspondence in the 1700s, and added audiovisual technology in the early 1900s. Modern definitions of distance education emphasize using new technologies like email, web applications and videoconferencing to provide remote access to instructors in addition to delivering course content.