Reports on the development of an asynchronous learning environment for teaching introductory macroeconomics to approximately 200 distance education students. The research supports evidence in the literature that computer mediated communication an in particular, collaborative learning, can make a positive difference to the educational experience of…

Reports on a four-phase study conducted to clarify the role of the facilitator and to identify other factors that support or inhibit online learning. Postgraduate students who had participated in online learning rated the relative importance of 12 facilitator tasks. Results show facilitators must clarify expectations, initiate and guide online…

Reports an empirical investigation that explored relationships between student perceptions and course design factors in 73 SUNY Learning Network courses in the Spring 1999 semester. Findings indicated that clarity of design, interaction with instructors, and active discussion among course participants significantly influenced students'…

A 2004 Distance Education Survey form was sent to all 73 DETC-accredited institutions. For the purpose of this survey, the DETC membership was divided into three categories: (1) High School; (2) Postsecondary; and (3) Degree Granting. Data from the three DETC military institutions are not included in this survey. Of the remaining 70…

Each year an estimated 5 million Americans pursue education or training through what is known as distance education. Distance education, which is also known as distance study, e-learning online education, correspondence study, home study, independent study, and other various terms, has existed in America for more than a century. Yet, few teachers,…

Distance education has flourished for more than 125 years in America and long before that in Europe. Since distance education?s beginning, well over 135 million men and women have studied by distance education. To recognize the achievements of the millions who study at a distance today, the Distance Education and Training Council conducts an…

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) a nonprofit, voluntary association of accredited distance study institutions, was founded in 1926 to promote sound educational standards and ethical business practices within the distance study field. The independent DETC Accrediting Commission is listed by the United States Department of…

This document contains the constitution and bylaws of the Distance Education and Training Council. The constitution and bylaws include 13 articles. Sections include: Name; Mission and Goals; Administration of the Council; Membership; Meetings; The Commission; Terms of Office; Officers; Committees; Compensation; Dues and Assessments; Miscellaneous…

Millions of Americans are currently enrolled in distance learning institutions. The flexible study schedules, independent learning, and self-paced courses are attracting more students than ever. Those interested in enrolling in a distance education school, probably have a lot of questions. Choosing the right school is an important decision, and…

Recently published surveys conducted by the Sloan Consortium show widespread support among academic leaders for the notion that learning outcomes from online higher education degree programs are equal to or exceed those of residential programs, and that those learning outcomes are expected to continue to improve relative to their fixed facility…

In 2000, 43 percent of undergraduates were of nontraditional college age (24 years or older). Eighty percent were employed, including 39 percent who were employed full time. Today, experts believe that nearly three out of four adults are taking some kind of training. This increase is due in part to the growing number of programs that provide an…

Accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet certain standards. It is a promise that an institution will provide the quality of education it claims to offer. Accreditation assures the student that the institution operates on a sound financial basis, has an approved program of study, qualified instructors,…

Literature published between 2000 and 2003 at the intersection between online learning and disability can be classified into didactic, descriptive, research, and opinion pieces. In this article, two research pieces surveying the literature are reviewed. The resounding theme throughout the literature is that improving accessibility of online…

This study was designed to identify those learner attributes that may be used to predict student success (in terms of grade point average) in a Web-based distance education setting. Students enrolled in six Web-based, general education distance education courses at a community college were asked to complete the Group Embedded Figures Test for…

This study identified teaching styles of university interactive television instructors. The instructors (N = 203), representing nine Land Grant universities, completed a demographic survey and the Principles of Adult Learning Scale, a forty-four item teaching-style assessment instrument. Descriptive statistics revealed that interactive television…