About Distance Learning

What is distance learning? Distance learning is a planned teaching/learning experience in which teacher and students are separated by physical distance for all or a majority of the course instruction. Those who teach may choose from a variety of distance education delivery methods/technologies including online, videoconference, print, and other media.

Distance learning courses can be either asynchronous (no set class time or day of the week), or synchronous (classes meet at a specified date and time), or a combination of the two. Courses may be delivered completely by distance learning technologies with no traditional face-to-face classroom instruction, or they may require campus visits. The course descriptions on this site contain information about campus visit requirements for each course.

There are two broad categories of courses listed on this website. One category includes courses that are 100 % distance learning:  No campus visit is required at any time. The second category includes partial distance learning: Limited campus visits are required. Courses are primarily delivered via distance learning technologies, but the student should expect to attend at least one class session on campus.

Courses listed on this site are offered using a variety of technologies. More information about technologies and definitions.

What are students saying about UW distance learning courses?

Updated: March 31, 2006

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