Distance education has come to mean more than just a transmission mechanism of education. Moore and Kearsley (2005) defined distance education as, “planned learning that occurs in a different place from teaching, requiring special course design and instruction techniques and communication through various technologies” (p. 2). Howell, et al. (2003) defines distance education as the use of network-based technologies, as well as Internet-based delivery. In order to have a successful distance education program in a university there must be a willingness to interact with your instructor/classmates by computer, an interest in developing a virtual partnership with faculty members and class members at a distance (maybe even with others in another country), and the initiative to instigate the interactions.
A willingness to dedicate the same amount of time and effort to a distance education course that
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Without a doubt, the most important element of a successful distance learning implementation is planning. It is impossible to conduct a distance class if there is no planning. The technologies must be available and working. Support mechanisms must be in place should technical problems arise. Teachers and students must be prepped to be informed of their expectations for the experience.
I agree. There should be backups for student files, as well, to turn in incase there should be a connection failure and a student is unable to turn in their project online as well. For instance, if we had to turn in our E-porfolio electronically at the end of the semester, and my internet connection went out that day, I should have made a backup of everything I did and turn it in on hardcopy to ensure that I still would have received a good grade on it.
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