Abstract:

The increasing need for education, limitations on access to information centres, economic problems, a lack of experienced experts, and the costs of education brought about the development of new delivery methods for instruction. There is a growing need for methods that are economical, high quality, and suitable for use by large populations. The meaning of "literacy" is being able to read and write, but as Alvin Toffler has said, in the 21st century, an illiterate is not one who cannot read or write but one who cannot teach or learn.

Distance education is a medium of teaching and learning that has grown significantly in the past 10 years as indicated by the number of higher education institutions that offer courses and/or full degree programs via distance learning. According to the National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) (1999), the number of degree-granting higher education institutions offering distance education courses increased from 33 per cent in 1995 to 44 per cent in 1997-98. More specifically, the use of computer-based technologies has increased from 22 per cent in 1995 to 60 per cent in 1997-98.

Distance learning is a type of education, typically college level where students work on their own at home or at the office and communicate with faculty and other students via e-mail electronic forums, videoconferencing chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging and other forms of computer based communication. It’s a general term for the use of telecommunication to provide or enhance learning. Around the world, the academic community is discovering and exploring the Internet, teleconferencing, and related means to achieve an extended classroom or learning experience. Students in Australia are earning degrees from a university in India. Primary and secondary-grade students are exchanging e-mail across continents as a supplement to their formal studies. Students and teachers at all levels are taking part in teleconferences and forming associations that would have been unlikely five years ago. A number of world conferences have been held on distance education and many experimental projects are underway.

Everyone is defining it in a different way, but the nation of the success drives all, improve our skills, and achieve our potential. When it comes to pursuing educational goals, location and scheduling is no longer the obstacle they once were.
Distance learning allows you to advance your career, enhance your skills or pursue new interests- all from the comfort of your own home.
Distance learning comes via Information Technology. It is a two way communication between teachers and learners. In these approach computers are one mean by which this communication is encouraged and enhanced.

Keywords:

Distance learning- Education -learning and teaching.