This interaction might include drills, such as drills used to teach rote mathematics skills and to drill workers for annual safety training. More complex systems include simulations, such as airline simulators and simulations of work situations. Because computers offer so much flexibility and variety, so does online learning. In contrast with simple online learning, in a more elaborate form, online learning might consist of a course that includes regularly scheduled lectures by videoconference on the Internet, a web page with several supplemental materials including videotapes of previous lessons, discussions outside of class by electronic mail by lists and, online tests whose results are automatically recorded in student records. For example, organizations have used online learning to teach and support customer service representatives in handling complex credit applications, and to teach effective scientific and technical presentations.
People often use the term distance learning to refer to online learning.
Actually, online learning is just one form of distance learning. Distance learning is any type of educational situation in which the instructor and students are separated by time, location, or both. For example, correspondence courses and courses by television are forms of distance learning. Actually, each of these is a form of online learning, and the terms has a specific meaning. The course does not provide links to learning resources outside of the course.