In the traditional model of higher education, students attend classes on the same physical campus as their professors. However, with the introduction of videotapes, CD-ROMs, closed-circuit television, and the Internet, a student can now obtain important classroom information without ever leaving the house. This is the foundation for distance education, as it is known in colleges and universities. This is accomplished through a combination of audiovisual lectures, objective exams, and scheduled meetings with human instructors.
Correspondence schooling is a type of distance learning that has been available for decades, but the programs have typically been limited, and accreditation is frequently questioned. Students enrolled in these online courses would receive a packet containing study materials, worksheets, and objective tests. A representative from the correspondence school would grade these mailed-in tests on a regular basis and award a certificate of completion at the end. Most of these classes have very little interaction between students and instructors, and practical lab work is nearly impossible.
Through trial and error, traditional colleges and universities have improved distance education. Earlier attempts consisted primarily of a series of videotaped lectures and a single final exam. Low test scores revealed that off-campus students and their campus-based instructors needed to interact more. Real-time lectures with remote communications and regularly scheduled online exercises are now standard in modern courses. Professors are encouraged to treat emailed questions with the same respect they would if they were asked in a traditional classroom setting.
Distance education programs are typically targeted at older or returning students who are unable to commute while also supporting themselves financially. Many of the class lectures are recorded on videotape or CD-ROM, allowing students to study when it is most convenient for them. Distance education classes are accredited because they fall under the same umbrella as on-campus classes. A student in a videotaped freshman English 101 class receives the same number of writing assignments as a traditional on-campus freshman English 101 class. The only difference is that a distance education program may allow emailed submissions or a slightly shortened grade turnaround time.
Those seeking a low-cost education may not find it through a distance education program, particularly one offered by a major university or college. Many distance education registration fees are comparable to those paid by traditional students on campus. The most significant financial benefit is a significant reduction in travel expenses. It is much less expensive to meet with a virtual instructor a few times during the semester than it is to commute to campus every day or to pay for on-campus housing and food.