Distance Learning

 Distance education is one of the best things to happen to education since the printed book. It allows students to gain degrees and certificates on their own time and at their own pace. It has opened a whole new world to many individuals.
  The great thing about distance education is that it puts a semblance of control into the hand of the each and every student. For example, if they are working in a self-paced course then they have the option of finishing early, or even in a hybrid course they can complete a majority of their work outside the classroom on their own time frame.
 I feel that the definition of distance learning is forever changing because distance learning itself changes everyday as well. With the advent and incorporation of new technological advances distance education programs are becoming more common on most college campuses. I feel that the first thing that pushes this metamorphosis is the sheer number of students who are taking part in these programs nowadays. This forces us, as educators, to have technology that can handle a larger number of users at once.
 A second change that I feel is related directly to the users is that its designers now work to make this software more navigable, manageable, and easy to use because so many who are attempting to use distance education are doing so with less and less technical knowledge before hand.
  Also this is a type of double-edged sword, as we now have software which is easier to use, but for example in developmental because of the advanced ages of some of our students we still must bridge this technological gap. So even though we now have better technology than ever before we are also faced with less experienced students, at least in this manner, who are now attempting to use it.
 In conclusion, technology is a great thing and thus so is distance education for many, many reasons, but I think the best part is the promise that it holds for all students to learn and further their own personal storehouse of knowledge.





With the above considerations in mind, post to your blog a 5- to 6-paragraph description of the evolution of distance learning as it relates to your own experiences. Be sure to include the following in your post:



Your personal definition and observations of distance learning