To inquire about DL classes offered by Central Piedmont Community College, please call 704.330.6172 go to the "Contact Us" page.

What is Distance Learning (DL)?

Distance Learning (DL) is a unique instructional delivery system characterized by the learning and the instructor being at a distance from one another.

DL connects learners with educational resources unavailable to the learner due to barriers of various degrees.

DL provides educational access to learners not enrolled in traditional classroom settings.

DL is a process which uses available resources and will evolve to incorporate emerging technologies.

DL has been identified at Central Piedmont Community College as: Customized instruction that addresses learner needs and learning context and is characterized by the learner and the education being at a distance. (LEAD Team, 2001)

Is Distance Learning Effective?

Research comparing distance education to traditional face-to-face instruction indicates that teaching and studying at a distance can be as effective as traditional instruction, when the method and technologies used are appropriate to the instructional tasks, when there is student-to-student interaction, and when there is timely teacher-to- student feedback (Moore & Thompson, 1990; Verduin & Clark, 1991).

The LEAD project's research concludes that there is little difference in test scores of students enrolled in traditional classroom settings, versus a DL setting. This data is based on Casas pre- and post scores of students from Spring 2000, to the present.

How do I know if I need to begin a DL course at my institution?

It may be necessary for your institution to look at the advantages of DL if you have

• waiting lists of students,
• students unable to complete a course due to work or family responsibilities,
• community based organizations that want to support their increasingly immigrant workforce, or
• a small immigrant student base that doesn't support a full class or program.

How do I begin a DL program?

The California Distance Learning Project writes:

When establishing a distance education program, one of the first things considered is the cost of the system. Several cost components factor into the design of a distance education system (Threlkeld & Brzoska, 1994):

• Technology - hardware (e.g., videotape players, cameras) and software (e.g., computer programs).
• Transmission - the on-going expense of leasing transmission access (e.g., T-1, satellite, microwave).
• Maintenance - repairing and updating equipment.
• Infrastructure - the foundational network and telecommunications infrastructure located at the originating and receiving campuses.
• Production - technological and personnel support required to develop and adapt teaching materials
• Support - miscellaneous expenses needed to ensure the system works successfully including administrative costs, registration, advising/counseling, local support costs, facilities, and overhead costs.
• Personnel - to staff all functions previously described.

Although the costs of offering distance education courses may be high, there are high costs associated with offering conventional courses. Benefits of distance education courses to the learner include (Ludlow, 1994):

• Accessible training to students in rural areas.
• Potential for students to complete their course of study without suffering the loss of salary due to relocation.
• Exposure by students to the expertise of the most qualified faculty.

Perhaps the question institutions must answer is whether it is part of their mission as educators to offer programs to those who might not be reached without distance education. The primary benefit to educational institutions through distance education may be the increased number of non-traditional students they are able to attract and serve. Research also suggests that as programs become more efficient, program costs should decrease (Ludlow, 1994).

Training for starting a DL program is available from the LEAD Project Team. Contact us for information.

We want to answer your questions. Please Contact Us and we will post your questions.