Distance education

What is Distance Education?

Distance Education (also called Distance Learning) is an education program that uses various technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the teacher. It is a way for students to take a formal course of study (high school, vocational, or college-level) without having to travel to the classroom. Although the students and the teachers are separated, the hallmark of Distance Education is regular and substantial interaction between them.[2883] Distance Education courses usually incorporate multiple forms of media, including printed materials, CDs or DVDs, audio recordings, telephone communication, audio or video conferencing, email, and Web-casts and Internet streaming. There are two types of Distance Education interaction modes: “synchronous” and “asynchronous” instruction.[2884]

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    34 C.F.R. § 600.2. See also U.S. Dep’t. of Educ. Fed. Student Aid, Federal Student Aid Handbook 2014-2015, vol. 2, ch. 2 at 12.

  2. 2884

    34 C.F.R. § 600.2. See U.S. Dep’t. of Educ. Fed. Student Aid, Federal Student Aid Handbook 2014-2015, vol. 2, ch. 2 at 12.

How do the two types of distance education work?

Synchronous instruction means that all of the students and the instructor(s) participate in the class at the same time, even though they are not in the same place. This is usually done through “live” teleconferencing, video conferencing web conferencing, or Internet chats. The class is given at a set time, and everyone calls or logs in at that time to participate. Synchronous courses can offer a level of interactivity similar to that of a traditional face-to-face class.[2885]

Asynchronous instruction does not require that the student(s) and the instructor(s) participate at the same time. Students choose when they want to study the course materials or interact with the instructor(s). Asynchronous instruction is more flexible than synchronous instruction, but offers less interactivity because it is not “live.” In asynchronous instruction, course materials and communications are often delivered via CDs or DVDs, by traditional mail correspondence, or through e-mails, listservs and Internet downloads.[2886]

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    Cal. Cmty. Colls. Chancellor’s Office, Distance Education Report (Aug. 2013); see also What is Distance Learning? California Distance Learning Project, http://www.cdlponline.org.

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    Cal. Cmty. Colls. Chancellor’s Office, Distance Education Report (Aug. 2013).

Are there benefits to distance education?

PROS:

CONS:

    Classes and programs are available to students who cannot attend in person
    Saves students time because they don’t have to travel to classes
    Often cheaper than location-based classes
    Often offers more flexible scheduling
    Less likely to be subject to class-size restrictions (i.e. classes available to more students)
    Less interactivity and support than traditional classroom learning
    Students must be self-motivated and self-directed
    Most programs require knowledge of and access to computers, Web browsers, email, and word-processing programs
    Some programs require continuous access to the Internet
    Students miss out on benefits of classroom attendance, such as getting to know the instructor/ other students, and group discussions of views and opinions[2887]

BEWARE: Distance Education programs can vary in quality and legitimacy (quality of instruction can be low, credits/degrees may not be recognized by other schools or programs). Some programs are outright scams. (For information on how to tell if a program is a scam, see Choosing Your Educational Path, PG. 849).

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    U.S. Dep’t of Educ. Office of Vocational and Adult Educ., Take Charge of Your Future: Get the Education and Training You Need (2012).

What credentials can I earn through distance education?

Thanks to the Internet, you can earn pretty much any credential through a Distance Education program that you can earn through a traditional educational program.[2888] This includes high school degrees and equivalency certificates, CTE certificates and degrees, associate and bachelor’s degrees, and even graduate academic and professional degrees. Distance Education programs are offered in most major CTE and college degree program areas. Program quality does vary greatly, however.

WARNING: While many accredited, reputable schools offer credential programs through Distance education, there are also plenty of scam programs that will take your money and leave you with a useless piece of paper. (For more information on spotting Distance Education scam programs, see Choosing Your Educational Path, PG. 849.)

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    See Online College Education Network (OCEN), http://www.ocen.org/online-college-programs.html.

How do I find and enroll in a distance education program?

If you’re currently incarcerated:

    Ask your Correctional Counselor, or the staff of your facility’s education department for information on available programs (Note: Because of the technology requirements of Distance Education programs, they may not be available at your facility);
    Request information on accredited Distance Education programs that may be available to people incarcerated in California facilities by writing to the California Department of Education, Adult Education Office, 1430 N Street, Suite 4202, Sacramento, CA 95814 or by calling (916) 322-2175.

If you’re formerly incarcerated:

    Check your local public library for information on schools that offer Distance Education programs (these programs have become very popular and are offered to some extent at most schools).
    Check with local community colleges to see if they offer courses through Distance Education.
    Visit your local America’s Job Centers of California for information on Distance Education programs and the institutions that offer them.
    Check these online resources:
    California Virtual Campus (http://www.cvc.edu/students/)—offers a step-by-step guide to Distance Education in California;
    California Department of Education, Adult Education (http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/)
    The U.S. Dep’t of Educ., Database of Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions and Programs at: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.
    The Distance Education Accrediting Commission, Directory of Accredited Institutions at: www.deac.org.

Helpful HintACCREDITATION OF DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

There are numerous commercial websites that advertise hundreds of Distance Education programs and schools in the U.S. and abroad. However, keep in mind that schools and programs pay to be listed on these websites. This means that when you search these sites, only those that have paid will come up—you will not see the rest of the schools and programs out there, so the results of your search will be limited. Also, many of these websites claim that they only list “accredited” schools and programs, however, you should always do your own research to make sure that a school or Distance Education program is 1) legitimate and 2) recognized by an approved accrediting agency.[2889] (For more information on accreditation and scam programs, see Choosing Your Educational Path, PG. 849.)

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    See Distance Learning Portal, http://www.distancelearningportal.com; see also Online Degrees Program, http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com, see also allOnlineSchools, http://www.allonlineschools.com.

How much do distance education programs cost?

The cost of Distance Education programs varies based on the type of program, the delivery media, and the institution that it is offered through. Programs offered through four-year colleges and more prestigious schools will be more expensive than those offered through local community colleges.

Two important things to note about Paying for Distance Education:

    Distance Education and Fee Waivers

Distance Education programs offered through California community colleges may qualify for an enrollment fee waiver through the California Community Colleges Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver program. (For more information on this program and how to qualify, see Paying For Your Education, PG. 881.)

    Distance Education and Financial Aid

You may be able to get financial aid to help you pay for your Distance Education courses. Only accredited Distance Education institutions are allowed to participate in federal financial aid programs. Even if a school or program is eligible to participate, it must choose to do so. To find out if financial aid is available for a particular school or program, check with that institution’s financial aid office (For more information on financial aid, see Paying For Your Education, PG. 881).