Instead, with the development of online technologies, it is now commonplace to associate distance learning with tuition that is delivered via an online virtual learning environment or ‘VLE’. While physical or temporal separation between the instructor and the learner remains a defining feature of distance learning, the term itself would seldom refer nowadays to learning and teaching provided solely through printed, text-based and other materials that are mailed to students through the post. Through the development of the internet, digital technologies and virtual learning environments, distance learning has taken a significant leap forward in its evolution, allowing rich interactive, immersive and engaging learning experiences that now frequently surpass those within a traditional classroom-based setting.

Direct ‘face-to-face’ interaction with instructors and other students was limited, and if offered, was often restricted to a select number of tutorials, day schools or residentials. In parallel with the development of technology during the latter half of the 20th century, distance learning quickly evolved to include pre-packaged text, audio and video recorded resources, typically studied by individual learners.

In its earliest forms, tracing the roots back to the first half of the 20th century, correspondence tuition in the form of written letters was also considered a form of ‘distance’ learning. Traditionally, distance learning was considered as an instructional programme of study for students separated by time or physical location from instructors or ‘tutors’.

Clipboard Master 5.6 instaling