What is Distance Learning

Distance learning or distance education is an indirect form of education which is characterized by separation of the teacher and his student in space and/or time, while the program is organized, planned, lead, monitored and controlled by education organizations and institutions. One of the main characteristics of distance learning is also transmission of learning material through variety of medias.

In contrary with traditional learning where knowledge is transmitted directly face to face, knowledge in distance learning is transmitted indirectly, while distance learning student predominantly learns and studies independently with help of learning materials which are specially adjusted for distance learning and transmitted through variety of medias.

Distance learning encompass informal as well as various levels of formal education which is widely recognized equal to the traditional education. Distance learning process is guided and lead by the teachers whose contact with student is usually limited to occasional correspondence. Thus distance education primarily bases on individual and independent learning, however, distance learning student is not completely left on his/her own. To help the student to understand and to comprehend the learning subject and material are available the tutors who establish communication with the student and offer additional explanations, support and motivation.

Thanks to great technological development in the 20th and 21st centuries distance learning today provides equally qualitative and effective learning as the traditional education without being physically present in certain place and time what results many advantages in compare with traditional learning, however, there are also some disadvantages.