New Developments in Distance Learning Education

Distance learning education is a method of teaching in which students pursue various courses with different colleges, but do not need to be physically present at the institution to attend lectures. For most people today, being well educated is not just a necessity but also a means to securing a better future. For people who want to hone their knowledge further but find it difficult to enroll into an academic course due to lack of time or means, distance learning education may just be the answer.

Technological Developments Thanks to technological advancements happening across the world, higher education and academic degrees are just a click away. Various distance learning programs are being designed and offered by universities on an international level, and the dream of higher education has becomes a workable reality for thousands of people across the globe. Today distance learning education takes place through various means, be it correspondence courses or online degree programs, or the creation of virtual classrooms with the aid of audio-video technology, the gamut of distance learning is widespread. It breaks the barriers of traditional educational methods, by making it possible for students to learn even while not being physically present in a classroom. The concept of attendance is redundant in a scenario where a person sitting in a remote corner of Asia can pursue an MBA degree from one of the leading institutions of the UK or the USA. Independent Learning Today, an increasing number of universities and colleges are offering distance learning courses in order to reach a wider mass of students.

The course's material can be sent to the student through mail, the internet, CD roms, audio/video cassettes and even through video or web conferencing. The students have the liberty to work at their own pace, do their own research, and finish projects at their own convenience. Distance learning education is a liberating experience, and gives the student a great deal of independence. The courses to choose from are numerous, right from high school diplomas, to MBA courses and professional degrees.

Someone once said that education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world. Distance learning education is a means of changing the world, by providing educational opportunities for a wider segment of the world's population. It is a fast evolving facet of education, which literally transforms the world into a virtual classroom, providing education to anyone, anywhere and at anytime.

Jim Zorn is web master of the Guide to Distance Learning. Please visit to learn more about online colleges and universities, distance learning degrees, majors and courses offered. http://www.guide-to-distance-learning.com/index.html