From courses pulled off a computer network to radio courses, distance education technologies represents differing degrees of sophisication and interaction. The technology combines the educational benefits of hypertext and hypermedia and is easily transportable to rural sites. Hypertext is a valuable interactive approach for presenting text and graphic information by allowing users to jump from a given subject to related ideas. Text and graphics are presented in non-sequential manner and connected using several types of links. Learners may study a subject area or idea in depth, move around among ideas, and repeat or review ideas.
Hypermedia is an extension of hypertext.
It incorporates other media besides text and graphics, such as illustrations, video, diagrams, animation, and computer graphics. Learners can branch from topic to topic as they see fit, going into more depth in one area or jumping to another related, but different subject, virtually instantly. Text, illustrations, animation, video and other aspects of multimedia are combined, controlled, coordinated, and delivered on the computer screen. Using video, key concepts can be presented in a variety of ways and a variety of visual stimuli can be used. Experts and instructors at great distances from the learner can be used and video can provide opportunities for learners to view video representations of authentic situations and problems.