Distance Learning educational opportunities are more abundant than ever before. The availability of affordable Broadband connectivity and its ability to deliver rich media experiences has spawned the development of dynamic virtual classrooms. Combining video, audio and interactive learning tools, students have access to unlimited coursework, regardless of location and independent of a rigid schedule.

The Internet has enabled distance learning and educational opportunities to flourish. Among other factors, the value of an electronic education can be measured by the integrity and security of its evaluation and testing. Cheating can be difficult to control in the absence of an instructor. The reputation of a school suffers from cheating, but the student doesn’t get the full value of the information.

There are systems and efforts designed to prevent cheating but few are entirely secure. Technology and resources have opened the field of providers to include the private sector with traditional institutions, competition in the market benefits students in the variety of subjects, curriculum and cost of distance learning programs.

Distance learning is available for all levels of education, but most active with university coursework. In general, students are part-time and include supplemental education with jobs and full-time activities. Though not as common, full-time distance learning programs are available and offer accredited degrees.

The greatest advantage of distance learning is flexibility. Finding the time for continuing and supplemental education is difficult. Students are allowed to do the required assignments at their convenience, according to their schedules. Depending on the program, students may begin at any time and able to complete the lessons at their own pace.

Location is unimportant due to the global nature of information access provided by the Internet. Some distance learning programs and colleges require testing to be done in supervised settings to ensure the accuracy and integrity of results, major testing such as midterms and finals are sometimes held in common locations under instructor supervision. The development of secure online solutions and emerging technologies make this practice unnecessary. Remote desktop applications are available that allow an instructor to take over a student’s computer and control the test environment.

There are a few disadvantages to distance learning that can be resolved by inventive solutions that promise to expand learning opportunities into the future