Technologies used for Transmitting Learning Material

Transmitting learning material to student is essential for distance learning. To make delivery faster, easier and less expensive the distance learning institutions and organizations took advantage of new technologies which enable sending informations throughout the world in mater of minutes or even seconds.

The types of technologies currently used for transmitting learning material can be divide in two categories: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous are those technologies which provide learning material or transmission of informations to different places at the same time such as video- , audio- and webconferencing via telephone, cable, broadcast, satellite and other similar technologies, while asynchronous technologies deliver knowledge in different places at different time. Category of asynchronous technologies encompass audio- and videotapes, e-mail, print material, fax, message board forums, etc.

However, variety of technologies used for delivering learning material presents special challenges. There is a big difference between the technologies and their quality of transmission of knowledge. Its is probably unnecessary to emphasis the enormous difference between the usual print material and live two-way interactive video- or webconferencing, as well it is incomparable difference for student if he/she gets his/her learning material in video or audio form.

The nowadays information and communication technologies enable fast, qualitative and highly interactive delivering of learning material, however, problem occurs when teachers or students are not properly trained to use such technologies or do not have access to it. For that reason each distance learning organization or institution chooses different technologies according to local resources and target audience.