Most of us are very familiar with at least one of the more significant media of distance learning known to humans--the book. While we can’t all listen to the author of a book in one room together, we all share a distance learning experience each time we read the book. Most distance courses make use of assigned textbook readings, just like your typical college course.

Maybe you are familiar with the concept of correspondence courses, where you receive printed materials from an instructor, complete assigned readings at your own pace, submit assignments through the mail, take tests at a library or school, and complete the course within an agreed period of time.

Distance courses are similar to correspondence courses because they allow you to learn without attending a class, at your own pace, within an agreed period of time. But distance courses are also able to take advantage of technologies like:

• Email
• Internet hyperlinks to information
• Online reference source materials
• Chat rooms and discussion boards

These technologies help bridge some of the distance between you and the content you are seeking, and they stimulate you to think in new ways and to interact with other distance learners about the concepts you are learning.

In a traditional classroom, you might expect your instructor to present information orally and visually, respond to questions, and collect assignments during regularly scheduled class periods each week. In distance courses, the instructor assumes a role similar to a guide who helps direct you to the resources that will help you learn. In addition to a textbook and written directions, the instructor:

• May include visual and audio materials related to your course content.
• May encourage you to work collaboratively with other online students.
• Will respond directly to your questions submitted by email or in a chat room.

And, instead of regular class schedules, you do your assignments on your schedule.

One other similarity between distance and regular courses is worth mentioning. Courses from institutions of the Adventist Digital Education Consortium are presented from a foundation of faith and Christian values just like you would find if you were taking the course on the campus of any of the member colleges and universities.

Next, we will talk about some of the helpful computer tools you will utilize while taking an online distance learning course.