Education on Distance

Nowadays distance learning becomes more and more popular. In fact distance learning means such type of education when the students do not have to attend the classes in the traditional university according to the schedule and do not have direct contact with the teachers and other students. The online students have the access to all educational materials through the e-mail and can participate with the help of special technology in real- time communications with professors and group mates.

The distance type of education means not only online learning, but also other types, such as, for example, studying with the help of regular post. Besides, the distance learning can be obtained with the help of radio, television and satellite. The distance learning appeared in the year 1840 thanks to Isaac Pitman, who used the correspondence. During several next years the distance learning developed and in 1946 the first distance- learning university appeared in the South Africa. Nowadays this university is considered as the oldest educational institution which offered the distance learning. In 1969 Open University was founded in the UK.

Today there are hundreds of universities which provide the distance learning. They provide different levels of education and offer different majors and courses. Some of them are accredited and give qualified education; others are just “diploma mills”.

With the advent of internet the distance education is developing faster. The education became more accessible, convenient and flexible. There is much information in the Internet devoted to online learning.

During the development of distance education four different technologies were used – print, audio/video broadcasts, teleconference with the help of video technology and computer broadcasting.

The distance learning programs offer part-time and full – time studying. Usually, the students prefer part –time studying. The only problem of distance education is the process of exam and testing. Usually the students have to be present in the university campus during the finals to show the obtained knowledge and skills to the teachers.