Distance Education   What is Distance Education? One definition of distance learning is that it is a means of giving access to instructional programs to students who are separated from the faculty person by time and geographic location. It may mean simply that pre-packaged text, audio, and/or vid eo is delivered to a student who has little or no interaction with other students or the teacher. However, distance learning is increasingly more interactive and creative thanks to new-and-improved technologies. There are many paradigms of interactive dis tance education, some based on synchronous communication, some on asynchronous communication, or a combination of both. Examples range from the use of e-mail and mailing lists, live videoconferencing via compressed video, computer resources (via disk or C D), or to the concept of the "virtual classroom", with much of the learning environment happening on the World Wide Web. One thing is certain: interactive distance education will change the nature of the classroom, our campuses, and our attitude s towards traditional models of learning and teaching. Distance Learning Links Distance Education Clearinghouse Information from the University of Wisconsin-Extension on teleconferencing technologies, courses, and distance learning resources. Classroom Connect (Wentworth Worldwide Media) Lots of online education resources, mainly for K12. Distance education resources via the University of Alberta University of Alberta: Faculty of Extension guide to Distance Education resources on the Internet. Most resources are oriented toward the post-secondary level. Education and Government Web Sites via CNIDR A good collection of resources on distance and online learning for K12 via CNIDR The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Publishes original essays and research reports on interpersonal and group processes in communication networks, including organizational, social and cultural levels of analysis. A joint venture of the the Annenberg School for Communication at USC and the School of Business Administration, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. NASA K12 Internet Initiative Homepage Home of NASA's K12 Internet Initiative. Provides grants and support for teachers and students using the Internet, as well as opportunities to meet and interact with NASA scientists. Online Educator Some great ideas for integrating Internet resources with curriculum and (in some of the examples) with current events. The Open University of the United Kingdom Home Page Britain's Open University is one of the first truly open institutions of higher learning and has become a model for similar institutions throughout the world. The OU is widely known for the high quality of its teaching materials, publications, and its innovative use of television in collaboration with the BBC. Teaching and Publishing in the World Wide Web Classic discussion about using the Web for teaching and learning by Harry M. Kriz. Journal of Library Services for Distance Education dealing with provision of library support to students enrolled in postsecondary distance education programs. APEC Multimedia Distance Learning human resources development project with developed database and forum for distance education in the Asia-Pacific region. Online Distance Education student honors research project investigating the effectiveness of online distance education. Utah System of Higher Education - Distance Education planning, development and administrative information relating to the Utah System of Higher Education Distance Education and Technology Initiative. Distance Education and Information Technology Information and links pertaining to the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Distance Education Satellite and Computer Network. Distance Education and Open Learning Bibliography selected and reviewed by the Association for International Education (Russia) research team. Distance Education at a Glance comprehensive overview of various topics of concern in distance education. Institute for Distance Education - University of Maryland System provides a single voice for communicating about distance education issues with other members of Maryland's educational family. MSU Virtual University