| Computers and the internet are becoming more | | | | a speedier connection between users. |
| relevant to distance learning (and traditional) | | | | Today, one of the regarded benefits of distance |
| courses, but some of the tools available for | | | | learning is the fact that the student can complete |
| today's distance courses are not particularly | | | | his/her studies where and when she wants to. |
| futuristic or advanced. By looking at synchronous | | | | Consequently, courses have been adapted to |
| and asynchronous technologies, this article aims to | | | | accommodate asynchronous technologies. In the |
| give an overview of all the ways students can be | | | | past, audio and video cassettes containing |
| taught and instructed on distance learning courses | | | | instructions by institutions and lecturers were |
| today. | | | | posted to students, however today, equivalent |
| The two primary synchronous methods for | | | | instruction can be e-mailed as easily with the |
| distance learning are Videoconferencing and Web | | | | necessary media, photos, or texts attached. |
| Conferencing. Videoconferencing in education | | | | Further asynchronous advancements have been |
| allows two sets of people (usually a lecturer and | | | | made with the introduction of forums and wikis to |
| group, or two groups, or one on one) to see each | | | | distance education. Forums are instantly communal |
| other and communicate in real time. In simple | | | | and very simple to use, allowing work to be |
| terms these are very similar to traditional | | | | viewed and discussed easily. Separate threads can |
| conferences, lectures, or seminars, but the | | | | be established by each user and can concern |
| method is notable for the savings made on travel | | | | texts, problems, classes, and fun issues - as well |
| and the great distances that can be crossed with | | | | as being easy to monitor by a teacher or lecturer. |
| little delay. Additionally, with the advent of | | | | Wikis follow a similar principal, but are typically |
| broadband, videoconferencing is now often done | | | | intended for available viewing of outside users. |
| over the internet. | | | | They can be a good incentive for students to |
| Web conferencing is similar, though with less of a | | | | work together and maintain an informative |
| focus on speaking and seeing others and instead | | | | collection of simple factual web pages, with the |
| using an instant message style format. The | | | | intention of teaching students to strive in the |
| principals are the same, but web conferencing is | | | | quality of their work - particularly when they |
| often preferred today due to the technology | | | | know it can be viewed by the public. |
| being cheaper (no cameras or microphones), and | | | | |