Tim Henry

Distance learning has been defined by the United States District Learning Association as the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction. Distance learning encompasses all technologies and supports the pursuit of life long learning for all. Today distance learning is being used in al most every area of education including primary, elementary, and high school.

Distance learning is also being utilized for college, university, and technical training as well as home school education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, and telemedicine.

Distance learning has undergone a phenomenal growth in the last ten years, primarily because of the technology of high-speed Internet combined with the upswing in home computer ownership. Both technological advances have allowed Americans to access distance learning programs and as we all know the laws of supply and demand mean that where there is a need or an interest, business will respond by making more of the needed product available.

But the other main factor in the growth of distance learning is the continuing and seemingly insatiable human quest for knowledge. It’s not just young people fresh out of high school that are looking at distance learning to complete their education through an online degree, but homemakers, veterans, and even seniors as well. There is a desire of many Americans to have the full American dream, live in peace and comfort, own your own home, and get a college education.

Distance learning has grown as well because it works in both helping people of all ages learn and comprehend even the most technical subjects. Research has shown that distance learning programs report similar effectiveness results as reported under traditional instruction methods. In addition, research studies have also pointed out that not only do students learn in distance learning but that they are quite positive about the experience itself.

Distance learning can be the sole training experience but many teachers are using it as a support to their regular teaching programs. They offer special courses and electronic field trips for students to enhance their regular programs and to break the monotony of sitting in a classroom every day of the week. They also use distance learning to assist both rural and inner city classes with student through enrichment, student courses, staff development and in-service training for teachers and administrators. In the field of higher education you can now earn both undergraduate and advanced online degrees through distance learning.

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Learn more about Online Degrees and University of Phoenix

Jeff Slokum

If you are thinking about utilizing a distance learning program then you need to familiarize yourself with a whole new set of terms and definitions that help to make up this new way of learning. Here are a few to get you started, the ABC’s of distance learning.

Under A you may find the following terms:

Academic Advisor. An academic advisor is a person appointed by the college or university representative who provides guidance to students in to help them select courses and an academic program that will meet the requirements to complete an online degree program.

Accreditation. This is the process by which online degree programs are monitored to ensure that they meet certain standards or requirements. There are special accrediting agencies at the national and regional level that ensure that the distance learning program meets all of the specific curricular standards in order to grant online degrees Associate Degree. An associate online degree is usually granted after completion of a two-year post secondary program. It also is sometimes known as a transfer degree.

Under B you may find:

Baccalaureate. This is more commonly known as a bachelor’s degree and is usually granted after four years of study at an online degree granting college or university.

Baud. A baud is a technical measurement of digital transmission that is used to describe the rate at which information flows between two electronic devices such as modems. The higher the baud rate means the faster information is processed and transferred between two computers.

Under C you will find:

Case Study. A case study is a common presentation style to help distance learning students see the application of a theoretical principle to a simulated or real-life situation. It helps students practice applying their analytical and presentation skills to the theories that are learning in their online classroom.

College. A college is an institution that normally offers associate and bachelor’s degrees. The focus at colleges is on education rather than research.

Conditional Acceptance or Admission. This is an offer to participate in a university or college online degree program to a student who meets the basic academic requirements, but might need to improve some other aspect of themselves such as passing an English proficiency exam in order to begin their distance learning program.

Cooperative or Co-op Program. These are distance learning programs that combine online classroom time with alternating work placements.

Course load. Course load refers to the number of courses taken or credits earned within a period of study that may be defined as a semester, term or quarter.

Credit. A credit is granted for each course completed and in order to get an online degree most academic programs require students to complete a certain number of credits or courses.

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Learn more about Online Degrees and University of Phoenix

Gregg Gillies

Distance learning colleges are popping up all over the world. One of the most well-known, University of Phoenix, started in 1976 with 8 students. Currently, its academic enrollment numbers more than 200,000 students located all over the world, making it the largest private, accredited university of the distance learning colleges.

In fact, it’s the largest private accredited university in the United States, period. Over 100,000 of those students are enrolled strictly in the online distance learning programs.

Distance learning colleges are flourishing for a number of reasons. There is our fast changing economy. People need to stay up to date on their skills, or constantly acquire new one’s so that they can advance in their career and stay valuable to their employer, without becoming obsolete.

There are also many people who feel education is a lifelong pursuit and not something that stops once you graduate from college. Both of these lead into one of the biggest reasons for the popularity of distance learning education and that is convenience.

We all lead very hectic lives and the one thing we always seem to be short of is time. Distance learning colleges eliminate the time aspect of education as much as it can be eliminated.

Continuing your education through distance learning eliminates a lot of the hassles of night school. You don’t have to work all day and then drive to class, spend three hours of your evening, drive home, and then study. You can just log on to your computer when you get home instead. This is a much less stressful way to pursue a degree.

Another advantage is not going through the hassle and stress of finding the right classes, in the right order, that are available at a time that is at least somewhat convenient for you.

What happens when a class you need is only available Tuesday evenings from 6 - 9 and that’s the one night of the week that you travel for your job. You’re out of luck. But attending college or graduate school through distance learning gets rid of that obstacle. You can get an online degree instead.

Another big obstacle in the way of getting an education is money. There aren’t many of us that can quit work to go back to school full time. With a distance learning program you can get an online degree without giving up your current job. This makes it a heck of a lot easier to pursue your degree when you can keep your current income while you go to school.

The virtual classroom that is available in most distance learning colleges offers other advantages compared with typical academic settings, and that’s 24-hour access to programs, faculty, and the other students, as well.

With the large number of distance learning colleges you can choose from today, you can find a degree or certification, or continuing education courses, in almost any subject, from journalism, to an MBA, to a PhD, Law degree, accounting, bachelor’s, engineering, culinary school, investing, real estate, paralegal, medical billing and more.

Have a look around at all the information on distance learning colleges so you can decide what distance learning model is best for your life, goals, and situation.

About the author:

Gregg Gillies is a freelance writer and the webmaster for www.a1-online-distance-learning.info, where you’ll find more free articles on distance learning and online degrees.