The Annenberg/CPB Project's
Top Ten Distance Education Sites

http://www.learner.org/edtech/distlearn/topten.html

The goal of the Annenberg/CPB Project is to make a quality higher education accessible to more people. Distance education or distance learning is a concept that has grown in popularity because of advancements in technology, demographic shifts, and the development of high-quality programs. Some distance education institutions, often called "open universities" outside the United States, deliver entire degree programs at a distance.

For a long time, distance education meant sitting in front of a television, listening to a lecture, and corresponding with the instructor or institution via letters. New technologies, not the least of which is the Internet, allow a greater level of interactivity in courses and wider access to more students.

In addition, the increasing demand for post-secondary education by nontraditional students who have personal or professional obligations that keep them from campus has driven the increase in courses offered at a distance.

The following sites either contain information about the practice of distance education or are sources from which to take part in programs delivered "at a distance."

1) The American Center for the Study of Distance Education (ACSDE)
ACSDE was established in 1988 with the aim of becoming a network of scholars who have a common interest in studying, teaching, and doing research in the field of distance education. Dr. Michael G. Moore founded the ACSDE under the College of Education, and continues as its Director. Today, the ACSDE has become a hub for the dissemination of distance education information through both a printed and electronic journal and other publications.

2) Distance Education Resources
A vast index of distance education resources, this site is an excellent starting point to the riches of international distance education on the Internet. Open universities are among the useful resources, in particular the British Open University, The Dutch Open University, and Flanders' EuroStudy Centre for Distance Education.

3) Distance Education Clearinghouse
This site provides a wide range of information about distance education and related resources. This comprehensive and widely recognized site brings together distance education information from Wisconsin, national, and international sources. New information and resources are being added to the Distance Education Clearinghouse on a continuing basis. The Clearinghouse is managed and maintained by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, in cooperation with its partners and other UW institutions.

4) Educational Technology Leadership Program--The George Washington University
This index links to sites that offer information about the process of distance education as well as distance education institutions offering courses and degrees via distance education.

This site also includes very interesting full-text articles regarding distance education.

5) Going the Distance (GTD)
Going the Distance is an educational initiative of the PBS Adult Learning Service and public television stations. Developed in response to the growing population of adults who want to earn a college degree at a distance, this initiative makes it possible for students to earn a two-year college degree through distance learning.

6) Educause
Educause is a consortium of higher education institutions dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of education using the latest developments in information technology. Their World Wide Web and gopher servers offer access to resources designed to support this goal, such as information on educational conferences, publications detailing the latest developments in information technology and educational advancements, material on lobbying activities and related legislation, and more. Users will also find information on becoming a member of the consortium and the benefits that being a member provides.

7) Distance Education and Related Links
This site links to a wide variety of distance education institutions and resources.

8) U.S. Department of Education--Star Schools
This Web page looks at the Star School Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of the program is to encourage improved instruction in mathematics, science, and foreign languages as well as other areas, such as literacy skills and vocational education. Using telecommunications, the program reaches underserved populations, including the disadvantaged, illiterate, limited-English proficient, and individuals with disabilities. The program is a good model for K-12 institutions looking into distance education.

9) The World Lecture Hall
The World Lecture Hall page contains links to pages created by faculty worldwide who are using the Web to deliver class materials. Some of the materials provided include course syllabi, assignments, lecture notes, exams, class calendars, multimedia textbooks.

10) Maricopa's
Here you will find over 470 (and counting!) examples of how the Web is being used as a medium for learning including everything from sites that relate directly to a Maricopa class to courses delivered entirely via the Web to activities related to class assignments or course materials.