Differences in educational philosophy Much of the difference between programs is related to educational philosophy. Some institutions state their philosophy more clearly and unabashedly than others. Even in organizations where it is less clearly defined or openly discussed, educational philosophy reveals itself through the final form of new programs and avenues of resistance along the way. The guiding philosophy dictates not only in the technologies employed, but who controls the process. In more traditional classroom oriented programs, the faculty and administration have most of the say and administrative details tend to center around the needs of the institution first, faculty second, and students last.
More traditional programs tend to center on the needs and the convenience of the learner.
Curricular and administrative details are often established through a process of negotiation that includes certain parameters but gives the learner a lot of clout in matters unrelated to the institution's survival. Of course, many programs sit on the continuum somewhere between these two extremes. Each form has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the preferences and the personal situation of the learner. If you are considering a distance learning program, carefully consider what these differences will mean to you. For this purpose, I briefly discuss three basic types below.