Distance Education: Bridging an Instructional Gap.

Overview & Synopsis

Distance education has become a major teaching and learning tool. Distance education typically uses technology to reach learners in the following ways: (1) audio communication through one- or two-way radio or telephone; (2) audiographic links such as computer-to-telephone setups; (3) freeze-frame transmission of visual images; (4) one-way audio-video such as educational television; and (5) interactive, two-way full-motion compressed video. A popular satellite-delivered program called Star Schools is a good example of effective distance education. Many factors influence the acceptance of distance education, but it appears to be more readily accepted when it is the only alternative to a regular classroom. The Telelearning Project Outreach at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and the distance-learning programs of the North Slope Borough School District (Alaska) illustrate the advantages and drawbacks of distance education. The America Tomorrow Leadership Information Service (ATLIS) is being implemented to help educators learn about distance education and educational technology. (Contains 11 references.) (SLD)