Distance education uses technology and instructional system designs that aim to deliver education to students who are not physically in a classroom.  Students can be in different parts of the world, while still learning the same material from the professor.  Distance learning is a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both.  Distance education courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason including the taking of examinations is considered to be a hybrid or blended course of study.

Distance learning is becoming widely used in universities and institutions around the globe due to the increase in student populations. Colleges are now able to increase their overall student attendance, while not impacting the quality of study.  With the recent trend of technological advance, distance learning is becoming more recognized for its potential in providing individualized attention and communication with students internationally.

Types of Distance Learning:

·        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.

Distance Education has experienced four to five 'generations' of technology in its history, which include print, audio/video broadcasting, audio/video teleconferencing, computer aided instruction, e-learning/ online-learning, and computer broadcasting/webcasting. The internet has been the most popular due to it’s easy access to course material and easy traslation.  The increasing popularity of ipods, PDAs and Smart Phones have provided an additional medium for the distribution of distance education content, and some professors now allow students to listen or even watch video of a course as a Podcast. Some colleges have been working with the U.S. military to distribute entire course content on a PDA to deployed personnel.

Benefits of Distance Learning

Distance education provides major benefits to at least three main markets or categories, such as:

·        Expanding access: Distance education can reach underserved populations of students, such as students that live in rural areas who cannot attend a school that offers the educational services they desire.   

·        Cost reduction: Distance education can turn production of content into a repeatable and durable learning tool that does not require as much infrastructure. As most material can be packaged in an easy to deliver "just-in-time" format, the expanding payroll of educational institutions becomes unnecessary.

·        Emerging market opportunities: Distance education fuels the public's need for lifelong learning in education by providing access to learners not in the traditional k-12 age group.

·        Adapting to new technology and environments: Educational institutions may adopt distance education as a means to adapt to the rapid changes in technology being used in education today

As technology continues to grow, the demand for distance learning will continue to increase over time.  Educational institutions, such as colleges, community colleges,and trade schools, will be able to offer students around the world an opportunity to receive an education at a reasonable price.  Students that participate in a distance learning program are able to learn at their own pace and not have to worry about overcrowded classrooms, which ultimately impact their learning.