Distance Learning in Undergraduate Education: Methods, Opportunities, and Challenges for Institutions and Educators

The term ‘distance learning’ represents a variety of educational models that have in common the physical separation of the educator and some or all of the students. Students can be reached through any combination of media: closed-circuit television, video and audio conferencing via telephone lines, and multimedia interaction via the internet. In the past decade, the expansion of distance learning has mirrored the rapid technological advances in the late 20th century that have resulted in a proliferation of educational programs available from an ever-growing number of institutions. This paper reviews the origins and current status of distance learning as an educational medium (including examples of excellent distance learning programs), describes the educational models underpinning distance learning, and discusses the opportunities and challenges for institutions and educators in developing distance learning-based curricula. The research method used was that of a modified systematic literature review. The findings of the literature review show an overwhelming number of distance learning programs now available through a multitude of delivery mechanisms, especially the internet. With regard to the educational models for distance learning, three considerations influence the eventual choice: structure, process, and outcome. To ensure excellence in distance learning, six issues must be addressed: administration, financial resources, human resources, marketing, consumer issues, and the method of assessing distance learning programs. Changing social, professional, and lifestyle dynamics, as well as the rapid evolution of the educational principles of distance learning and the technology available, ensure that demand for lifelong learning will be significant. To respond to this demand, universities and other centers of higher education must recognize and meet the needs of learners who are quite different from the traditional student of the past. This paper presents an overview of the main issues facing institutions and educators who are considering distance learning as a part of their educational programs.