These are just a few of the products available for distance education providers. As a testament to the simplicity of WebCT course creation, California Institute on Human Services in partnership with Sacramento County Office of Education was able to create four, one-credit classes in less than six weeks. All of the courses were created and are managed by instructors with little previous experience at using the Internet. Today, hundreds of special educators are now learning about new federal guidelines at times and locations convenient for them. Many of those standards and transmission modes are in constant flux, and as such, it may well be many years before we see a steady state with these technologies.
Midrange technologies offer systems that typically operate on dedicated communication links.
They offer multilocation servers, call centers and a wide range of peripherals and service options. In educational circles the systems are used to link classrooms, provide remote teaching and build collaborative environments. There is no one, best product or service for distance education. The fax machine may be used to distribute assignments and last-minute announcements, to receive student assignments and to provide timely feedback. Prerecorded videotapes may be used to present class lectures and visually oriented content.