This module aims to give a general view of what DISTANCE LEARNING is. And will also include of how it is defined and described by different schools and people from different fields, together with its advantages and disadvantages, the types of distance learning courses, the different online tools and the different criteria for choosing a distance learning programme.
Let us take a look of how it has been a form of education created to deliver education among those students who are not able to attend to school regularly due to several reasons. It can offer opportunity to learning in a situation where the source of education and the one being educated or the learners are away from each other because of distance and time. This method of learning is now being adopted by a huge number of universities and educational institutes around the world.

LESSON OVERVIEW
The lesson focuses on definitions and descriptions of distance learning from different fields and well known people in education.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: i. define what distance learning means. ii. cite different definitions of distance learning. iIi. construct their own definition of distance learning.
Distance learning also called distance education is one method of studying wherein different lectures and classes are broadcasted and conducted over the Internet. There is no need for the students to attend school or college.
According to Simon Midgley, it is a way of learning remotely without being in regular or direct contact of the teacher and student in the classroom.
According to Margaret Rouse, it is sometimes called e-learning. It is a formalized teaching and learning system that is designed to be carried out remotely through electronic communication. The system offers chances in conditions where traditional education has trouble in operating because it is not that expensive to support and is not constrained by geographic concerns. This will benefit students who has problems with their schedule, and so are the employees because of its flexibility in time and delivery.
“Is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school. “
( https://en.m.wikipedia.org
)
“It refers to learning remotely without having a face-to-face interaction with a teacher in a classroom.
Distance learning can be termed as a way of getting information/education without direct interaction with the provider of such information.” (m.economictimes.com)

“It removes the traditional boundaries of time and location to offer you the flexibility not often found in other academic situations wherein you can set your own pace ad choose the most convenient time and place to study.”
(https://www.online.colostate.edu)
According to Leeds Beckett University, it is a great option for flexible learning wherever you are and whatever you want to study. You can study at a distance, at a pace that suits you.
What is distance learning for you?
Ask ideas about distance learning from your teachers and friends.
NAMES DEFINITION

LESSON OVERVIEW
The lesson focuses on the benefit and issues in choosing distance learning. Below are the main reasons to consider distance education.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: a. distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. b. express opinions about distance learning.
This formalized teaching allows you to appropriate study around even with work, social or family commitments. The suitability of distance learning means that there is no need for you to attend classes at time that may not fit with your schedule and lifestyle. You can study wherever you live- rural, urban or foreign locations with the convenience of course materials that are available online or delivered to you directly. It gives you the flexibility to take advantage of all the supports and services you need.
The incentive and perseverance of distance learning sets you apart from other students.
Here are the reasons to study via distance learning.
1. Get your degree at a lower cost.
Many students are getting interested in online college courses because of the cost. It tend to be less cheap because trade institutes that operate without a traditional campus are able to pass those savings to their students.
Internet-based education usually contains more affordable tuition than traditional school or university but it depends on the university you will be choosing. You will clear the extra charges such as the different materials, travel bills, housing or boarding fees and other things you would have had to pay if you were to attend a class.
2. It will be your decision of when and where to study.
It provides you with the advantages of a flexible routine. You will never have to worry to fix your schedule wherein you need to be in class because you had the choice of where to take your online courses.

3. Study at your own adaptable routine.
You will never have to worry fixng your schedule wherein you have to be in class. You will be able to get a work or focus and deal with your own issues. You will never have to fixed deadlines for your assignments because the only dates needed are the examination dates and the dates to pay your fees. It will be your decision if you want to finish your work or just a part of it. If you are able to acquire the capability of self-pacing, it will become a more active learning. And so, distance learning is really preferred by people who are independent financially.
4. Save your time.
You are capable of saving not just your money but also your time. It is still possible to have your life with friends and family while studying since you are given a flexible schedule. It is always free to use your personal computer any time of the day. Being on a campus institution takes more hours since you as a student will need time to prepare yourself, to work on your assignments and course requirements, travel from afar to go to school. If you are enrolled in an online class, there is no need to waste time to prepare yourself.
Distance learning is designed to work allowing the students an easy access to the course materials through your devices including your phone, tablet or laptop. You can have your studying started anytime.
5. There is no need to travel.
One of the good things about distance learning is that you may do away with travelling. You can complete your course works at home while finishing it all to have your college diploma. There is no need for you to get into a car, or travel and commute just to go to school. You can also decide if you want study abroad from the comfort of your family.
It just requires a very good internet connection to be able to attend online classes, submit your course requirements and have the discussion with your tutors.
6. It may initiate a career sooner.
There are many colleges and universities that are currently offering accelerated programmes that will allow you to complete your education earlier. Most of these accelerated degrees allow the students to focus on an intensive study. It is possible to finish an online degree in about fourteen months.
Some schools do not offer breaks and holidays especially when vacation. This is in favour for these students who want to graduate earlier or faster if compared for others in the campus colleges that take breaks between semesters and holidays. That will mean that their class will last longer.
The other concern is the different issues to be encountered in distance education:
1. It lacks social interaction.
Distance learning is not for those who loves the classroom environment. The experience will be different from the traditional courses or way of learning. There will be no possible brainstorming, pairing and sharing and that will limit your understanding about a certain topic or information. You can have the chat rooms and discussion but online courses usually works with your emails.
2. Employment
Some employers do not accept online degrees or courses. Your degree may not be the ideal tool for different job fields and for future learning.

3. Strong need of new technologies.
If you are not that into technology, you will be having a hard time with online courses. Make sure to feel comfortable using computers, tablets, smartphones and other devices before applying for a class.
4. Online courses does not offer all the degree.
Some courses like nursing are not offered completely online because the degree requires direct work with the patients. Find out all the requirements of your degree to check what may be needed for the completion.
Is distance learning accessible for you? Why? Why not?
Cite other opinions about distance learning.
PROS CONS

LESSON OVERVIEW
The lesson focuses on the different types of distance learning.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: a. define what the different types of distance learning means. b. enumerate the different types of distance education.
Distance learning has changed greatly since the days of communicating learning in which the student would take course materials including textbooks and other course materials through the mail. Students will work on their own and finish the course work given. Online courses now offers instructions from teachers, interaction with other students together with a forum for pointer.
There are different ways to construct distance learning courses depending on the purpose of the online course. Are you looking for an online degree to have a full load? Or to complete your unit? The types of distance learning must be considered to know and prepare the requirements.
Here are the different types of distance learning:
1. Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Distance Learning
Synchronous means “at the same time”. It includes actual communication by means of being in a classroom, teleconferencing or online conversation. Synchronous learning is not that flexible and it interrupts the students. Being the most known form of college distance learning, it continues to offer educational programs as it assist in the amount of interaction of students and teacher.
Asynchronous means “not at the same time”. It usually has a set of weekly deadlines but still allows students to work on their own pace. The students have more interaction with their peers and deliver correspondence through online bulletin boards. This type of learning gets dreary for others because the information is being received only through text medium. It also includes audio enhancements and different videos.
2. Open Schedule Online Courses
The students in this type of distance learning is given the greatest amount of freedom. It is a an asynchronous form of learning wherein learners are provided textbooks that are internet-based, mailing lists, email and bulletin boards to be able to finish their coursework. The students are provided a set of deadlines at the very start of the class but they are allowed to work on their own as long as it will be passed by the deadline. This type of learning is for those students who works better independently.

3. Hybrid Distance Learning
It is the combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning that creates a new structure the student must meet at a given time in a classroom or internet chat room. The students here are allowed to finish their homework on their own time and to be passed through an online forum. This type of distance learning is offered by universities who lack space to assist all the course loads.
4. Computer-based Distance Learning
The students here are not allowed to have an open schedule. They must meet in a specific computer lab or in a classroom at given time each week.
5. Fixed Time Online Courses
It is the most common type of distance learning today wherein courses are strictly online that the students must log in to their learning site at a given time. It remains synchronous because live chats are required.

LESSON OVERVIEW
The lesson focuses on the different online tools for distance learning and its uses.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: a. know and identify the different online tools for distance learning. b. look for possible tools for distance learning.
Different online tools for distance learning offer a unique chances to teach in different ways that is not possible in a traditional classroom. These tools must be embraced because it helps in improving the teacher’s lesson.
Here are the different online tools for distance education:
1. WeVideo
It is an online video editor that makes it easy to capture, create, view, and share movies. It allows you to put together videos as a group.
2. Scribble
It lets you capture your thoughts by creating and editing notes and drawing sketches. It helps the students share notes, compare ideas and collectively work on projects together that will create the feeling of community and togetherness.
3. A.nnotate
It is a web service for storing and annotating documents where documents are either uploaded or fetched from a web address supplied by the user. It is good for those who are internet savvy and can handle more complicated things.
4. Prezi
It is a presentation tool that can be used as an alternative to traditonl slide making programs such as
PowerPoint. It makes use of large canvas that allows you to zoom to parts and emphasize the ideas presented there.
5. WordPress.org
It is a publishing platform that makes it easy for anyone to publish online.

3.
6. Dropbox
It is a home for all your photos, documents, videos and files. Anything you add to dropbox will automatically show up on all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website. It allows the files to be shared easily. You can create universal folders where people can upload their stuff. It creates anything and makes it available to anyone.
7. Speek
It is a system that is particularly designed for conference calls in mind. It lets the people to have that group conversation where they need to forward a certain project.
Search for different tools that can be useful in distance learning and include its function.
TOOL FUNCTION
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LESSON OVERVIEW
The lesson focuses on the different important criteria for choosing a distance learning programme.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: a. determine the different criteria for choosing a distance learning programme.
As the distance learning continues to be known, the number of online courses and distance learning degrees started to increase. The learners must consider these criteria for choosing the right course:
1. Accreditation of online programmes
You have to choose a school that is recognized and accredited for it will be the one to lead you to an academic certified degree that is to be used for your future employment. It is very important that you know something about the recognition of your distance learning programme.
It must be accredited by a recognized accreditation agency. The agency will check the different subjects that are combined and coordinated that guarantees academic standards together with the practical significance of the programme. It is usually done by the ministry of education or a similar authority like Department of Education.
2. Flexibility of Learning
It is one of the most important reasons for distance learning. The higher flexibility of the learning schedule will be compared to a conventional on-campus programme. Distance learning enables you to combine your career with a degree more easily. But then, there are differences regarding the flexibility depending on the distance learning programme you choose.
Distance learning programmes are usually cheaper in terms of tuition fees than the traditional programmes.
But you should keep in mind that there might be extra costs such as the material and accommodation costs for your meetings. Many distance learning institutions offer appropriate financing choices when deciding for the right programme.
You should carefully inform yourself for you to have the best decision. Choose the most convenient for you.
3. Overall costs of distance learning degrees

www.distancelearningportal.com
whatis.techtarget.com www.openuniversity.edu
https://en.m.wikipedia.org
https://thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
m.economictimes.com www.distance.ufl.edu