Distance Learning Center @ TestPrepReview.com

There are many resources available for people who want to participate in Texas distance learning. The Texas Distance Learning Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in partnership with the United States Distance Learning Association. The goal of both organizations is to provide information and recognize achievement in distance learning organizations. The Texas Distance Learning Association provides articles on its website about new and cutting edge advancements and technology related to distance learning programs. The Texas State Library offers distance learning opportunities through satellite teleconferencing, the internet, and videoconferencing. There are numerous subjects that can be accessed though the Texas State Library so anyone who wants to gain knowledge on a subject can use this resource. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board was established in 1965 to help with the success of higher education in Texas. The Board created the website texasdistanceeducation.com as a resource for Texas distance learning programs. A list of programs and courses offered through Texas public and private institutions are available on the website. The Texas Association of Community Colleges created a database called the Virtual College of Texas which grants users access to Texas distance learning classes offered by the 50 community college districts in the state of Texas. If a course is not available at a students local community college, he or she can access the course at any other Texas state community college. The site offers access to non-credit classes available at Texas community colleges for interested students. Texas distance learning courses and degree programs are available at most of the state universities.

Seminary distance learning programs offer people who want to enter the field of ministry an off campus alternative to receiving their education. Seminary distance learning programs offer associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate programs for people who are not able to attend a traditional biblical college. As with any distance learning program, accreditation is important in choosing a college offering a seminary distance learning program.  The U.S. Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education have approved the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accrediting agency which is called the ATS Commission on Accrediting. The ATS accredits graduate programs for Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox religious schools. Seminary distance learning masters of arts and masters of divinity programs require a year long residency so the ATS has not accredited any completely distance education programs. Some accredited universities may offer distance learning courses needed in earning a bachelors or masters degree. The ATS has not approved any distance learning courses needed towards a doctorate. Through the ATS website, accredited seminary distance learning programs can be accessed.

When determining which seminary distance learning college to choose from, the student should consider the accreditation and degrees offered by the different institutions. Western Theological Seminary offers a Masters of Divinity Seminary Distance Learning Degree. The degree can be completed completely online except for a 2 week seminar that must be attended by all distance learning students. The Western Theological Seminary distance learning courses are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The Biblical Life College and Seminary School offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate distance learning degrees that have no residency requirements. The college is accredited by the American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions and Accrediting Commission International but not by the ATS. Degrees from the college may not be as widely accepted by the professional community.

PhD distance learning programs provide students with the highest degree possible which is a doctorate or PhD degree. Students are required to have a bachelors and masters and several years of work experience to be admitted into a PhD distance learning program. PhD distance learning programs are available in many fields of study including education, management, business administration and health management. Many educators want to earn a PhD because it is a requirement to become a college professor. PhD distance learning education programs provide educators with time and flexibility to complete the required coursework while working in the field. PhD distance learning programs can be costly. Many universities offer graduate assistantship programs where the PhD student can work for the university in return for a reduced tuition rate and sometimes a stipend or small salary for work. The assistantship gives the student additional experience in the field of study and is positive work experience on a resume. Another benefit of a graduate assistantship is that the college will know the person is a full time student. The college may be more flexible with the students work schedule and the college may allow for study time during work hours. The assistantship has to be completed at the university campus but the PhD can still be earned through the universities PhD distance learning program.

Online distance learning, or e-learning, is learning that is conducted through use of the internet. The first computer based learning system was created in 1961 at the University of Illinois and was called Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations or PLATO. PLATO was a system that could be programmed with educational material that was accessible to students wanting to learn more about a subject area. After the foundation of the internet in 1969, online distance learning programs began developing. CALCampus in 1994 and 1995 was the first completely online distance learning school. There was no on ground campus so everything needed in the educational process could be completed online. Since that time many private and public universities began offering online distance learning programs. Online distance learning programs meet the needs of working adults, people living in rural areas, retirees, or any other student who can not spend the hours required to take courses in a classroom.

There are many similar characteristics online distance learning programs share whether they are from a high school, private or public college. The school will provide access to the online distance learning courses through a link on their website. Multiple courses may be displayed if the student is taking more than one online class. Once the course is selected the student will be able to access syllabi, assignments, exams, and grades. Before online distance learning existed, distance learning programs consisted of purchasing a book or audio tape and completing assignments through the mail with no interaction with classmates or an instructor. The online classroom will usually have a discussion area where other students and the instructor can be contacted and discussions can be tracked and participated in. Some virtual classrooms have a link for live web chats where interaction is live and interactive. The online distance learning classroom will have access to email where private conversations can be held. Assignments are typically submitted through an email attachment or can be saved to an assignment link. Most online distance learning programs provide access to a virtual library where research can be conducted for the class. Technical support through the college is offered for online distance learning students.

Long distance learning makes it possible for a student to take courses offered outside of his or her city of residence. Before long distance learning, people had to either go to school in their hometown or move to their college of choice requiring them to pay for either on or off campus housing. The ability to study abroad or overseas was only possible for those who could afford to live in another country for as long as their education lasted. With long distance learning, people can take classes and earn their degree from any university offering distance education courses. Many colleges overseas can be accessed through long distance learning so students can earn a degree from another country through the internet. State universities and community colleges charge a higher out of state tuition for those students who attend their university but are residents of another state. Through private universities long distance learning programs, out of state tuition rates do not apply.

Long distance learning can be used to earn a degree, gain knowledge on a subject, or prepare for a college class. Carnegie Mellon University offers long distance learning degrees through the internet, CD-Rom and email. Some companies, like General Motors have partnered with Carnegie Mellon to create degree programs designed specifically for their employees. The General Motors partnership resulted in a masters program designed specifically for the information technology department and the coursework can be complete completely through long distance learning. For students who want to prepare to take a college level course, Carnegie Mellon created the Open Learning Initiative project. Students can take courses via the internet that are not for college credit but are designed to prepare students for courses such as Statistics, Logic, and Economics. These courses can be accessed by people who just want to learn more about these subjects or want to eventually take the courses for credit. Carnegie Mellon is just one example of a university where one can earn a degree without ever going to the on ground campus.