Distance education can be defined as an education technique in which the student and the instructor are not in the same place. Instructions in a distance education programs may be in an asynchronous or synchronous way by using postal mail or internet technologies.

Modes of instruction

• Postal Mail
• Online Chatting
• Discussion forums
• Audio and Video instructions
• Video conferencing
• Electronic Mails (emails)

Check list for students

Institutions offering distance education programs should be accredited to a recognized accrediting body and should meet all necessary requirements of that body. So before opting for a distance education degree, it becomes enviable for a student to check if the college is accredited by a recognized body. For US based students the accrediting bodies must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In case of any doubts one may contact the USDE personally at (202) 219-7011.

Locating distance education programs online

Yahoo web directory (dir.yahoo.com/Education/Distance_Learnin) offers a vast collection of distance learning programs in various fields. Similarly there are other directories like 247ask.com that can give information regarding universities offering distance education programs.

For any reference guides regarding distance education programs one may visit prenhall.com/dlguide. One can also go for distance education guide books such as 'The Adult Learner's Guide to Alternative and External Degree Programs' by Eugene Sullivan or The Electronic University: A Guide to Distance Learning Programs (NUCEA with Peterson's Guides). These books can be brought online from amazon.com.