This section provides links to some example sites for each business model for distributed learning identified in the study. Most providers involved with distributed learning use one of the following business models - or more commonly a combination of these models. The direct sales business model is the most common but also the most varied model. The provider takes on all aspects of distribution and delivery.
Many public institutions offer e-learning courses directly to customers.
This is also the model used by private virtual Universities such as the University of Phoenix and Jones University International. The direct sales model entails that a provider conducts most if not all of the activities in the value chain by themselves. A provider using this model is vertically integrated from needs analysis through to delivery and learner support. Only a few of the direct providers are listed below - there are hundreds if not thousands of providers offering online learning courses directly to the learner or corporations. Although this model is similar to consortia models with collaboration being the attraction of the model, partnerships and joint ventures typically have less cultural drag than do consortia.