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Distance Learning

In 1998 the number of courses offered online rose from less than 2,000 in January to more than 10,000 by the end of the year. The Canadian Online College Course Database reports that it expects more than 40,000 courses online by the year 2000.

What is it?

• The New School of Social Research's DIAL program. A good example of distance learning in action. You can join a course for a week, for free.
• TeleEducation NB. Sponsored by the Canadian government and the province of New Brunswick, this excellent site includes a database of public and private online courses at all levels from more than 15 countries. When searching this database, you can view a list of all the contributing institutions by simply scrolling down a pull-down menu (go to Advanced Search>Select an Institution).
• University of Minnesota Distance Education. Besides being another good example of how a major university is implementing distance learning, this site also posts information of interest to other educators and institutions interested in doing the same. See its "Education Plan" for a behind-the-scenes look at issues and possible solutions. See also its excellent list of links to distance education resources.
• DigitalThink offers web-based training courses in information technology. Evaluate their approach to distance learning by registering for a free sample course.
• ThinkQuest. A site for secondary students and teachers who want to create a web-based learning unit.

Nuts and Bolts

Tools	Synchronous	Asynchronous	Learning Curve	Equipment	Support Staff	Cost
Telephone	X	X
Email	X	X
Bulletins boards,List Serves, Chat, WWW	X	X
Teleconference	X
Videoconference	X
Mail		X
Fax		X
Videotape		X

Distance Learning Content Providers

Digital Creators work with O'Reilly & Co. and others to provide software and training programs for universities and businesses.

Says Dr. Marc Schroeder, Founder:

"Students today no longer think textually; they think filmically," he said. "This is a natural evolution. William Blake talked of taking ideas and turning them into icons and worshiping them. What we've done with technology is to turn it into an icon that people worship or they fear. But the technology is merely an extension of our capabilities, a way to expand our ability to learn. I'm not going to be an idiot and say personal contact is not important. But this is something in its infancy, and it's only going to grow."

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Created 9/30/98. Last Updated 4/4/99

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