Distance technology, also known as distance education, allows formalized learning and teaching to occur remotely using electronic communication methods. Over 30% of all college students in the US are enrolled in some form of distance education, with rates increasing significantly in the past decade. Graduate students have the highest rates of online participation at 36%. Convenience, flexibility, and the ability to accelerate studies while maintaining career and personal obligations are common motivations for choosing distance education.

1. DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES
COREY L. HARRIS
SEPTEMBER 8,2018

2. DISTANCE TECHNOLOGY
• (DT), which is also commonly referred to as
Distance Education, is a method of formalized
learning and teaching that is designed to be
utilized remotely by methods of electronic
communication.

3. STATISTICS
• The most recent (2014) data reports that out of 20.2 million total college and university students in
America, almost 5.8 million of them, close to 30%, are enrolled in some form of distance education.
• Undergraduate participation in distance education between 2007-8 and 2011-12 grew
from 21% to 32%.
• The rapid increase in online learning is confirmed when one considers the fact that in 2003-4 only 16% of
undergraduates had any participation in distance education.
• Graduate school has the highest rate of participation in online studies. For the 2011-12 academic years
a full 36% of graduate students were enrolled in some form of distance learning.
• This is up from 23% in 2007-8.
• 36% of students in 2011-12 studying through private, for-profit institutions enrolled in distance
education.
• 33% students at public institutions the same year took online courses.
• 21% of students at private non-profit school enrolled in distance education.

4. WHY DISTANCE TECHNOLOGY?
• Common reasons are convenience and accessibility, scheduling
flexibility and accelerated courses. These allow students to move more quickly
through their studies than they could in the more common brick and mortar
institutions. Distance education gives students the chance to continue in their
careers and personal duties while earning their degrees.

5. CONTINUED
• Online education is sometimes viewed as more family-friendly because it allows
students to pursue higher education without the stress and cost of moving and
changing to a whole new way of life.
• Students are now, it appears, less concerned with the “college experience memories”
and just want to get their degree.
• Students don’t worry as much about how their degree is gained, and distance
learning is as good as any on-site education for getting the desired education and
credentials.
• Many students prefer to study in the comfort of their own place of living and on their
own schedule without the added social pressures that come with college life and
class-room settings.

6. MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF DISTANCE TECHNOLOGY
• There is a large number of students of all ages who are working in an online
program or in online courses. Online learning appeals to students of all ages
because it gives the convenience, pacing and flexibility they’re looking for.
According to the most recent studies:

7. AGE RANGE
• 26.5% of students enrolled in some form of distance education were between the
ages of 15-23
• 36.5% of students enrolled in some form of distance education were between the
ages of 24-29
• 40.9% of students enrolled in some form of distance education were 30+ years of
age

8. GENDER COMPARISONS
• In undergraduate studies in 2011-12 34.5% of online students
were female and 28.5% reported as male
• In graduate studies in the same year 39% were female and 31.5% were male

9. ENGAGEMENT
• Undergraduate Engagement:
• 28.8% of students enrolled are full-time
• 35.5% of students are part-time
• 35% mix full-time and part-time study
• Graduate Engagement:
• 31.7% of students are full-time
• 41% are part-time
• 36.9% mix full-time and part-time study

10. SUMMARY
• Distance education is delivered in a number of ways, and the virtual classroom
experience can vary widely, depending upon institutional and program standards
as well as each professor’s approach to online teaching and student interaction. It
is now a widespread method of learning and communication throughout the
world that has created various opportunities for individuals to continue their
education while working full career jobs or even from across the country of their
selected institution.

11. CITATIONS
• Select25 Surprising Or Little Known Facts About Online Education
https://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/25-surprising-facts-online-education/