As telecommunications become more widely available, access to college and university courses, programs, and services expands. Distance education is the process of providing instruction between a teacher and students when they are separated by physical distance. In some cases, a class may have several groups of students located at different places. A variety of technologies are used to deliver courses and programs to students in distance education programs, including videotape, interactive video, the Internet, CD-ROM, audiotape, and correspondence. Many distance education courses use a combination of delivery modes.
Students typically communicate with instructors by telephone, fax, U.S. mail, and e-mail.
Some instructors also travel to meet with students in person. Since courses and degrees are offered by institutions and not by ONE, however, each institution is the ultimate source of current and correct information. Use the ONE database for your initial search, but be sure to verify accuracy with the institution. This site contains nearly 1,000 providers of distance education.