Distance Learning Technologies, A Summary

Distance learning is about acquiring education from an institute or an individual physically far from your base. In today’s world, people who opt for distance learning have numerous means to select from. The Internet has played a significant role in distance learning. It serves as a major means of availing distance learning.

Besides the Internet, there are various other means through which distance learning can be achieved. The means for obtaining distance learning are given below

Online:

Online means can include Internet, telephones, etc., but the term ‘online learning’ mainly refers to Internet learning. Online distance learning includes courses and programs that are web based and delivered over the Internet.

Tools like course management systems (WebCT, Blackboard, D2L, etc) are mainly used to systemize communication, assessment, content and other activities. Some courses may also require some particular computer hard ware.

Stored Media:

Stored media includes materials like DVDs, CDs, audiocassettes and videocassettes, on which information is saved and sent over. Material in stored media is designed to be self-paced, flexible and modular.

Conferences:

Conferences are of three types. They include:

  • Video Conference:

Through videoconference, teachers and students are connected to each other. It is a real time discussion. You can see each other and you are free to ask any question you want to.

  • Audio Conference:

Audio conference is another method of getting in touch with your teacher or student. The only difference is that you cannot see the person on the other side; you can only hear his or her voice. Telephones and Internet are the main sources for audio conferences.

  • Web conference:

A web conference can be both, audio as well as videoconference. Students and teachers here can communicate and exchange their ideas in real time.

Print Media:

One phase of the print Media is a traditional means of distance learning. The teacher and students can interact with each other through sending letters and mails. The modern approach to print media is learning through magazines, newspapers, etc.

Telecourse:

Telecourses include programs that are scheduled on television. 

Web cast:

Webcast refers to the capturing and recording of videos, audios, slides and other types of graphical and digital presentation. It is then synchronized as a single streamed media program.

Multimedia:

Multimedia includes all sorts of digital and graphical representations. It includes things such as DVDs, CDs, digital representation, etc.

Distance learning today is an important feature for learning a particular program. The above given are the major contributions towards distance learning. Through these technological means you can easily avail the benefits of distance learning.