The teacher plays a key role in determining the effectiveness of distance education. Proper training is needed to help teachers change their methods to focus more on advanced preparation, student interaction, visual materials, independent study activities, and follow-up. Distance learning teachers must become facilitators and ensure instruction is student-centered, as they no longer directly interact with students. Technology can make education more engaging and accessible if teachers understand how to connect it to pedagogy and curriculum.

1. Role of the Teacher in Determining the Effectiveness of Distance Education

2. Distance education in a changing world Distance education technologies are expanding at an extremely rapid rate. Due to high stakes testing and needs for interventions in order to close the educational gaps, instructional technology is viewed by many an as an increasingly important tool in assisting both the motivated and struggling learners

3. Currently, few teachers have had sufficient training or field experience to enable them either to be effective distant teachers or to use technology successfully in their classrooms. Proper training would help distance learning teachers to change their method of teaching and give more attention to advanced preparation, student interaction, visual materials, activities for independent study, and follow-up activities.

4. Instruction is student centered and the teacher becomes the facilitator

5. Teachers play an important role in the implementation of instructional technology but it also requires more work. In traditional education, teachers interact directly with their students. Proper training would help distance learning teachers to change their method of teaching and give more attention to advanced preparation, student interaction, visual materials, activities for independent study, and follow-up activities

6. Impact on Teaching and Learning -Online education provides flexibility for students and teachers -Learning can happen any time and anywhere

7. Using Technology in the Classroom -The instructor plays a major role in how technology is utilized within the classroom. -Teachers must understand how technology can be connected with pedagogy and curriculum content.

8. Distance learning has the potential to make education more effective, engaging, efficient and accessible

9. References:Sherry, L. (1996). Issues in Distance Learning. International Journal of Educational Telecommunications, from http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~lsherry/pubs/issues.htmlBothun, G. (2009) Instructional Technonlogy in the Classroom at the University of Oregon, from http://zebu.uoregon.edu/tech.htmlUniversity of Houston (2008, March 25). College Students Score Higher In Classes That Incorporate Instructional Technology Than In Traditional Classes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080324125154.htm

10. Relevant links www.noyesliv.blogspot.comhttp://teachertube.com/blogComment.php?blog_id=844 http://www.youtube.com/v/Fnh9q_cQcUE