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Distance Learning PhD

So what is distance learning PhD really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about distance learning PhD - info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.One of the leading most innovative and exciting applications of internet technology is within the field of Distance Learning.

Here,instruction in any field and any topic takes place all over the globe. Time and travel are no longer any impediments. This article discusses factors involved in becoming a recognized authority in this field.
What is "Distance Learning?"Distance Learning is a field of education that focuses on instructional systems design that delivers education to students who are not physically "on site" to obtain their education.

Instead, teachers and students communicate by exchanging printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to communicate synchronously in real time The types of distance learning courses are as follows:

1 Correspondence conducted through regular mail
2 Internet conducted either synchronously or asynchronously
3 Telecourse/Broadcast where content is delivered via radio or television
4 CD-ROM where the student interacts with computer content stored on a CD-ROM
5 PocketPC/Mobile Learning where the student accesses course content stored on a mobile device or through a wireless server


Origins and History Of Distance Learning
Modern distance education has been around at least since Isaac Pitman taught shorthand in magnificent Britain via correspondence resource within the 1840s. Since the improvement of the postal service trait within the 19th century, commercial correspondence colleges have provided distance education to students across the country.

Computers and the Internet have only made distance learning easier, just as they have for many other day-to-day tasks.
One of the primary oldest distance education universities is the University of South Africa, which has been offering correspondence education courses since 1946.

The largest distance education university countenance within the United Kingdom is the Open University, which was founded in 1969. In Germany, the Offern University in Hagen was founded in 1974. There are now many similar institutions all over the globe, often with the name "Open University".
There are now many private and public, non-profit, and for-profit institutions offering courses and degree programs through distance education. Levels of accreditation can vary.

Some institutions offering distance education highlight within the United States have received little outside oversight. Others can be fraudulent diploma mills. In many other jurisdictions, an institution can not use the term "University" without accreditation and authorization, typically by the national government.

Countenance within the present day, radio, television, and the Internet have all been new to further distance education. Distance education programs are in fact called correspondence courses, This was an older term that originated in nineteenth-century vocational education programs that were conducted through snail mail. This term has been largely replaced by distance education, and expanded to encompass more sophisticated technologies and delivery methods.In Distance Education, students can not be required to be present in a classroom.

That also can be a question of option. As far as an electronic classroom or Virtual Learning Environment goes, it can or can not be a part of a distance education setup. Electronic classrooms can either be on campus or off campus. We could call such institutions as using a flexible delivery mode.
Distance Education can also use all forms of technology, from the printed page to the computer. This range will include radio, television, audio video conferencing, computer aided instruction, or e-learning. A distinction exists between open learning and distance learning.

"Open" education is the system in which the student is free to choose any time and place. "Distance" education is a teaching methodology new when the student and teacher are separated by time and place.
Distance Education has traversed four to five generations of technology in its history. These are print, audio/video broadcasting, audio/video teleconferencing, computer aided instruction, e-learning/ online-learning, and computer broadcasting/webcasting. Yet, the radio remains a very viable form, especially element within the developing nations, because of its reach. The escalating popularity of the iPod, PocketPC and Smart Phone has provided an additional medium for the distribution of distance education content, and some professors now allow students to listen or even watch video of a course as a Podcast.

Some colleges have been working with the U.S. military to distribute entire course content on a PocketPC to deployed personnel.
Thus, it follows that not all open learning institutions use distance education and not all organizations that use distance education are open learning institutions. indeed, there are many cases in which students are in most common classrooms, connected via a video conferencing link to a teacher in a distant classroom. This method is usual in geographically dispersed institutions. Conversely, the term virtual university is in fact used to describe an open-learning institution that uses the Internet to create an imaginary university environment, in which the students, faculty, and staff can communicate and share information at any time, no matter what of location.You can see that there's practical value in learning more about distance learning PhD. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?

Importance / Significance Of The PhD In Distance Learning
A PhD degree in distance learning has thus become the most prestigious degree awarded element within the field of education these days. The PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is awarded for a number of specializations including

1 Instructional Design for Online Learning,
2 Leadership for Higher Education,

3 Leadership in Educational Administration,

4 Postsecondary and Adult Education,

5 Professional Studies in Education, Training and Performance Improvement.

The PhD degree is awarded in recognition of
a) An original contribution to the subject,

b) The demonstrated mastery and knowledge of the subject or

c) For conducting and presenting scholarly research on a selected topic.

This is known as the doctoral thesis or dissertation.
Educational Requirements for the PhD DegreeAn earned doctorate degree in distance learning requires completion of a master's degree in education accompanied by two to five years of postgraduate research training. Some institutions can not require a master's degree, if the candidate has relevant expertise.

The aspiring doctoral candidates in distance learning are selected on the magnificent basis of written and oral examination. Then, they must conduct the research on their chosen subject and write a dissertation. On completion of the research, doctoral students have to satisfactorily present the dissertation before a committee of professors within the field, and then must defend the dissertation.


The registration period to achieve a full-time PhD is a minimum of two years and a maximum of three to four years. There can be broad variations from university to university. Most of the PhD programs in distance learning have a residency requirement.

Doctoral students are required to spend a specific time at their chosen university. This provides the support and valuable sources of information from fellow students and instructors.
Advantages of Acquiring a PhD DegreeThe PhD degree in distance learning can lead to a high level position in a number of educational settings whether they are well established, corporate or online.

The PhD program in distance learning is designed to prepare researchers a highlight within the field. It includes coursework, internships, and independent work in distance learning course planning, data analysis, and instructional theory. A PhD degree is required to become a professor, dean or an administrator in an accredited university.
The PhD degree in distance learning is offered by a number of accredited universities. Some of them are Un iversity of Phoenix Online, Walden University, Capella University, University of Maryland University College, Boston University, University of Florida, and so on and so fourth PhDs in distance learning offered by these universities prepare students to lead and manage challenges in a variety of educational settings.

The program provides expertise in designing, organizing, teaching, and evaluating course work for online education.
If any educational specialist aspires to achieve a high level position in any sort of educational set up or to gain indepth knowledge and expertise aspect element within the field of distance learning, a PhD degree is extremely useful. In some instances, it can even be mandatory.

Opportunities in this area can abound as we go forward in this year 2008.
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest distance learning PhD news.