Is Distance Learning Effective?

There really are two questions to be answered. First, the question asked above “is it effective?” Second, “is it as effective as traditional face-to-face forms of instruction?”

The answer to both of these questions is “yes”. Distance Learning can be effective, and it can be as effective as traditional instruction. However, how effective it is depends largely on the methods and technology used and their appropriateness in relation to the instructional tasks/objectives. Effectiveness is also affected by student-to-student and student-to-instructor interactions. Not only is this true because of the needed exposure to new ideas and feedback but because of the affective dimension of learning.