RUNNING HEAD: DEFINING DISTANCE EDUCATION

Jacqueline Fernandez

Defining Distance Education

Texas Tech University












RUNNING HEAD: DEFINING DISTANCE EDUCATION






Definition Distance Education
Distance education is defined as a method of delivering education and instruction, often on an
individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional setting such as a
classroom. Distance education provides learners with a convenient and flexible opportunity to go
to college in a nontraditional environment. It is one of the fastest growing areas of instruction
and offers an attractive alternative to on campus classes. Distance education is quite appealing to
older students specifically those with fulltime jobs and families. Distance education is a
convenient method to access classes at any given time and complete assignments at your own
pace. However there are individuals who would argue that nothing can replace a formal
classroom experience were you are able to ask the professor questions as the lecture moves along
and schedule study groups to discuss challenging material. Before I began my doctoral program
at Texas Tech University I was not convinced that distance education was the best route. For so
many years I had been in a traditional classroom which I believed to be the best way for me to
learn academically and I was absolutely wrong. Learning should never be confined to four walls.
Today education is available to anyone who wishes to learn. As an example we now have
Coursera courses which are usually offered by numerous colleges and universities as a great
RUNNING HEAD: DEFINING DISTANCE EDUCATION

resource for learning, reviewing and discussing academia and it is completely free. Granted you
do not receive college credits for the course however if you invest time and effort you will obtain
the knowledge you were seeking for. According to (Schlosser & Simonson 2009) distance
education is defined as institution-based, formal education where the learning group is separated
and where interactive telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources, and
instruction. I would agree with Schlosser & Simonson definition however I feel that distance
education should be defined as the current evidence in education were technology allows
individuals to experience learning beyond a classroom atmosphere. There is little evidence that
shows that distance education is far more beneficial than traditional classroom learning. I would
argue that it depends on the type of individual and the style of learning, however if a person
wants to learn he or she will find a way to do so without making any excuses because with
todays technology the sky is the limit.












RUNNING HEAD: DEFINING DISTANCE EDUCATION

References
Gibson, C. C. (1998). The distance learner in context. In C. C. Gibson (Ed.), Distance learners in
higher education (pp. 113125). Madison, WI: Atwood.

Moore, M. G. (1989). Editorial: Three types of interaction. American Journal of Distance
Education, 3(2), 17.