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Distance learning provides training to remote locations. Distance learning has been available for many years and can be categorized into public education (grades K-12), university and colleges, professional (industry), government training, and military training segments. In the early years, distance learning was provided through the use of books and other printed materials and was commonly referred to as correspondence courses. Distance learning has evolved through the use of broadcast media (e.g., televisions) and moved on to individual or small group training through the availability of video-based training (VBT) or computer-based training (CBT). These systems evolved into interactive distance learning (IDL).

Distance learning relies on communication systems (e.g., phone lines or mail) to connect students and teacher as an alternative to classroom training. Electronic learning (eLearning) is a form of distance learning that is becoming a viable option to traditional teaching methods and is poised for major growth over the next several years.

Through the ability of broadband video and interactive graphic technologies, students are exposed to far greater education stimulus than in the traditional learning environment. Integrated sound, motion, images, and text all serve to create a rich new learning atmosphere and substantially increase student involvement in the learning process.

The rapidly changing global economy is forcing industry professionals to continually update their skill sets. Adults may change their occupations several times in a lifetime as technologies and skill sets become outdated. This requires continual learning for adults. Adults between the age of 35 and 45 are the fastest growing group of college learners. To advance or consolidate their careers, over 5 million adults complete some form of distance learning each year. This is one of the primary reasons why online learning is booming, especially among working adults with children. Distance learning via broadband connectivity allows adults to attend classes in the comfort of their living room or study, at their convenience.

Many online universities, including training and professional specialty course programs, are catering to the rising demand of industry to deliver skill-development courses to the desktop at remote locations. These schools offer Web-based professional certificates as well as associate and bachelor’s degrees that are built around a solid core of business and computer classes. Companies rely on these certificates to ensure employees are qualified for their new jobs.

In 1999, most online classes did not require that students have the latest high-powered computer. However, they did require Internet access (via low-speed analog modem). These distance learning courses were provided using low-resolution graphics or slow-scan Web video. As broadband services become more available and cost effective, it is predicted that distance learning courses will evolve to use high-resolution services such as high-resolution video conferencing. Online distance learning courses can be accredited by regional accrediting agencies or via the Distance Education and Training Council.

PUBLIC (K-12) EDUCATION. Elementary education involves developing fundamental skills in children and young adults. Elementary education is normally funded and managed by government agencies. It is the goal of many public education programs to provide the same education opportunity to all the members of a society, regardless of the economic status of its students or the demographic structure of a community. The economics of traditional public education systems limit the offering of specific courses to regions that have a sufficient density of students. To ensure that each student can be offered the same education opportunities, distance education can offer more courses to each student. Distance education also allows students to interact with other students with similar interests and needs at remote locations. Distance learning applications delivered through the Internet can provide access to standardized courses that provide equal education opportunities to most students. Additional e-books will provide students the ability to carry a single book.

By the end of 1998, approximately 89 percent of all public secondary and 76 percent of elementary schools in the United States were connected to the Internet. Since then, public schools continue to make progress toward meeting the goal of connecting every school to the Internet by the year 2000. (In 1994 only 35 percent of public schools in the United States were connected to the Internet.) In addition to having every school connected to the Information Superhighway, a second goal is to have every classroom, library, and media-lab connected to the Internet. Schools are making great strides to achieve this; and in 1998, 51 percent of instructional rooms in public schools were connected.

Connection speed is one of the key determinants of the extent to which schools make use of the Internet. In 1998, higher speed connections using a dedicated line were used by 65 percent of public schools. Additionally, large schools with Internet access are more likely to connect using broadband access technology.

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION. Since the Internet was pioneered at universities to facilitate information sharing, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of them are creating Web-based universities. By 2002, 85 percent of two-year colleges (in 1999 there were 847 two-year colleges in the United States) are expected to be offering distance learning courses, up from 58 percent in 1998. It is projected that over 80 percent of the four-year colleges (in 1999 there were 1,472 four-year colleges and universities in the United States) will be offering distance learning courses in 2002, up from 62 percent in 1998. Many of these will be Web-based. To put this into perspective, there are 15 million full- and part-time college students in the United States, of which an estimated 90 percent are online, representing by far the most active single group on the Net. Moreover, in 1998, 21 percent of these students purchased $900 million in goods and services online.

It is estimated that 93 percent of distance learning programs in American colleges and universities use email and almost 60 percent use email in conjunction with the Web.
When distance education is offered, campus visits are not required for most programs. Learners register online each semester and may take single courses for personal enrichment or opt to enter a degree program. Textbooks and class syllabi can be mailed to learners. Online classes run typically on a 16week semester schedule, beginning and ending at the same time as on-campus classes. Students read their textbooks and visit online message boards weekly, posting class comments or questions whenever it is convenient for them. The back-andforth commentary on the message boards simulates a classroom discussion. Midterm and final exams are usually taken under the watchful eye of an approved proctor at a local college, library, or human resources training center.

PROFESSIONAL. Because technology and business processes are constantly changing, professional education is developed and provided by companies to keep their employees competitive. Training budgets range from 1 to 5 percent of a company’s gross sales, and a growing percentage of these funds are used for distance learning courses.

GOVERNMENT. Providing education for government workers is necessary to ensure that information-intensive systems (such as tax collection) can operate effectively. In the United States in 1999, there were more than 3 million government workers. The average government worker receives 1 to 2 weeks of training per year to learn software and technology systems, standard processes, and to develop leadership skills. This results in a requirement of over 5 million weeks of training. To minimize the costs of travel and lost time, many government agencies use distance learning programs to reduce training costs.