Education at Distance

Distance education or distance learning, as it is called is a way of education by means of correspondence or any other means of modern technology. It becomes more and more popular, especially among those who are working and do not want to leave their working places to attend usual Universities. Distance education pays special attention to delivering quality education for students who are not personally present. University of South Africa founded in 1946 is one of the oldest distance education universities.

 The beginning of the distance education is the 19th century (1840) when Sir Isaac Pitman, the inventor of shorthand, made up his mind to offer courses through mail. In 1969, the establishment of the United Kingdom’s Open University was the beginning of a significant change in the area of distance education.  After this a number of other open universities followed the development of distance education.

 Modern tines brought their own changes in the system of such education, as a lot of means of getting appeared. In up to date distance education, educational guides are given to the students by means of various ways such as tutorials, audiotapes, videos, satellite broadcasts and CD-ROMs.  Such methods of sending as distant databases, e-mail, and video conferencing are also used.  It is not only very interesting, but very convenient as well, as students can listen or watch them as many times as they need. Video conferencing helps a teacher distribute lectures to various groups in other classrooms, virtual classroom as they are called.  A variety of facilities and services offered by means of the network include online registration, access to online video materials, distribution of course materials and steady communication with professors, instructors and other students through e-mail.

The biggest part of universities in the United States possesses distance-learning programs. It has a lot of advantages. One of the disadvantages of the programs is their high cost. However, the potential of distance education are increasing day by day. It goes without saying that in the near future, distance education will affect greatly the institutions of higher education.

In the United States, there are distance education associations, working at the national and state level. The national level associations are: The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) and finally the Federal Government Distance Learning Association (FGDLA).

The Distance Education and Training Council serves to clarify information about the distance study of every field. This association is entitled to give accreditation of distance education in the US. This accreditation is institutional and having it, it is possible to use it in the accredited institution and its accepted programs. The main fact is that all these programs under the ownership, organization, and control of the accredited institution and they are included in the accreditation, or none can be accredited. Institutions that have the accreditation of the DETC have the reputation known of sophisticated and well developed student services with well-structured program and world-class faculty.

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is controlled by direction of the United States Distance Learning Association. It gives direct broadcast educational programs for Higher Education, Teacher Professional Development and General Public constituencies. It has different kinds of courses of different subjects.

 As for the Federal Government Distance Learning Association (FGDLA), it promotes the growth and submission of distance learning. All these associations give education of high quality that is accepted as the best all around the world.

 Among the state level associations are: Florida Distance Learning Association (FDLA), Georgia Distance Learning Association (GDLA), and Michigan Association for Distance Learning (MADL). They also serve to promote distance education learning and development in the states they are located in. The main aim of such distance establishments is to support the development of distance education knowledge, possessions and technologies. These associations help some nations to develop and improve the quality of education.