Distance education is the delivery of a learning experience to students separated from the instructor, or each other, by distance and/or time. Distance education typically incorporates technologies including audio tapes, videotapes, telephone conferences, cable or satellite television, fax, electronic mail, or the World Wide Web to deliver the instruction or facilitate interaction. Although distance education is not a new phenomenon, it's been available in the United States for over 100 years, the educational possibilities created by the Internet and World Wide Web have moved this issue into the mainstream. Visit the
Distance Education Timeline?to get a better sense of the history of DE.
