Defining Online Learning
Online Learning (sometimes also referred to as Distance Learning or Distance Education) is education that delivers instruction to students who are separated from the instructor or instructors, and that supports regular and substantive interaction between students and instructor(s) either synchronously (students are required to log in and participate in class at a specified time each week) or asynchronously (online learning that allows students to view instructional materials each week at any time). Technologies used for instruction may include the following: Internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcasts, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communication devices; audio conferencing; and video cassette, DVDs and CD-ROMS, if the cassette, DVDs, and CD-ROMs are used in a course in conjunction with the technologies listed above.