EXAMINING DISTANCE EDUCATION STATUS IN IRAN FOR SUGGESTING MODELS TO CONDUCT, DEVELOP AND EXECUTE IT SUCCESSFULLY

The emergence of information and communication technology and its widespread uses has introduced a new concept called virtual community. Distance education refers to training and educational materials provided through this community. According to Clause, Article “52” of Fourth Development Plan Act, Distance Education Office of Ministry of Education is assigned the responsibility of establishing the infrastructure required for conducting such educations to resolve regional and sexual deprivations that are addressable for education system of the country. Therefore, we examine the history of distance education in Iran as the first step to approach the subject. Then audiences and interested parties; strategies and macro policies; long term, mid-term and short term goals, and performance of distant education in Iran are addressed. Equipped to this knowledge and based on international studies and national situations, we present the infrastructures and the model of leadership system for successful development and implementation of distant education in Iran. Finally, some suggestions are provided for successful development of distance education in Iran.