Distance Learning : Perspectives, Outcomes & Challenges

As with everything that experiences growth, distance learning too has seen its share of opportunities and challenges, whether they be from the improper implementation of technology, poor structuring of learning activities for distance learners, lack of sufficient legislation protecting the rights of learners, or simply inadequate funding for the proper training of distance trainers and teachers. There are many titles on the market today that discuss distance learning, its challenges and opportunities, with many specializing in one small area, such as technology application or instructional design, etc. In this book, a broader view of distance learning is offered, allowing perspectives about distance learning, its potential, its challenges, and specific outcomes of some distance learning implementation to be voiced, thus providing the reader with a broader perspective on the topic. This book is an anthology of diverse topics that surround the central theme of distance learning, and it is presented as an interesting collection of reviews, perspectives of practice, and research on and about distance learning. The book encompasses various levels of writing, but as a whole, it is aimed at all reading levels, from the casual reader wanting to understand more about what distance learning involves, to the aspiring distance learner or distance learning instructor/administrator wanting to delve a bit deeper into the best practices for appropriate use of technology, pedagogy, or instructional design, to the lifelong learner wanting to engage in continuous self-improvement via this easily accessible mode of learning.