Distance DegreesOnline Distance Learning Schools.

Distance education or distance learning has evolved as a very credible and reflective resource of learning when so much pressure is over class room learning and traditional learning is somehow failing to attain equitable objective of education and learning. In technical language, distance learning can be understood from the learning system focusing over pedagogy, technology and instructional systems designs aiming to deliver education to the students who are physically not present on the site.

According to another definition of distance education, it is a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and learners are separated by time and distance and both.  Certain distance education courses that requires a physical on-site presence for any reasons involving the taking of examinations are hybrid or blended course of study.

Historically, University of London was the first institution to offer distance learning degrees, starting their programs in 1858. The proliferation of education by distance learning is not only governed by government educational bodies as well as there  institutions are like private and public, non–profit, for profit institutions providing courses and programs though distance education.

Starting in ninetieth century, twentieth century saw employment of radio, television and internet for the proliferation of distance learning education. Computers and internet have made distribution of distance education easier and faster. The University of Phoenix that prominently is an online university now has 500,000 students on its roll due to expansion of distance education by internet and computers. According to latest estimates for distance education in US there are nearly 5 million students that are learning through distance education.

Technologies Employed in Delivering Distance Education

In providing distance learning, primarily, two types of technologies are used: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous technology is mode of learning when all the participants remain present at the same tine according to an agreed time schedule. Web conferencing is an example of Synchronous mode of learning. Asynchronous technology is mode of online delivery of education material where students are not needed to present at the same time. Message board forums, e-mail, and recorded video are example of asynchronous technology.

• Synchronous Technologies: Web based VoIP, Telephone, Videoconferencing,Web Conferencing, Direct-broadcast Satellite, Internet radio, Live Streaming.
• Asynchronous Technologies: Audiocassette, E-mail, Message Board Forums, Print Materials, Voice Mail/fax, Videocassette/DVD.

There are also Learning Management Systems or Learning Content Management Systems which combines both Synchronous and Asynchronous learning.

Various Distance Education Programs

• Correspondence conducted through regular mail
• Internet conducted either synchronously or asynchronously
• Telecourse/Broadcast, in which content is delivered via radio or television
• CD-ROM, in which the student interacts with computer content stored on a CD-ROM
• PocketPC/Mobile Learning where the student accesses course content stored on a mobile device or through a wireless server.
• Integrated distance learning, the integration of live, in-group instruction or interaction with a distance learning curriculum.