Definition of Distance Learning

According to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, 2000), distance education is defined as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction occurs when student and instructor are not in the same place.  Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous and employ correspondence study, or audio, video, or computer technologies. Additionally, Moore and Kearsley (1996) assert distance learning requires special techniques of course design, special instructional techniques, special methods of communication, as well as special organizational and administrative arrangements.

Distance Learning at UWF

The University of West Florida is committed to offering courses, programs, and certificates using a variety of distance learning strategies to meet the diverse needs of students that we serve. Therefore, distance education courses are developed around a framework of policies, principles, and guidelines of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Sloan Consortium, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the Principles of Good Practice for Higher Education Institutions providing Voluntary Distance Education Programs to Members of the U.S. Armed Forces & their Families.

Distance Learning Technologies

Several strategies for distance learning are available at UWF including: (1) fully online instruction; (2) online hybrid instruction; (3) two-way videoconferencing instruction, and (4) instruction delivered on mobile technologies such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).