Course Map

In the pre-computer era, distance education courses were delivered via other communication technologies. One of the earliest forms of distance education was the correspondence course, which used print as its distance delivery medium. As new technologies developed, other forms of distance education delivery systems evolved such as radio, audio and videotapes, public television, satellite broadcasts and video conferencing.

A 1997 CAUSE publication on distance learning outlined four generations of distance learning technologies. The first generation of distance education courses were predominately one technology such as print and radio.

Second generation distance learning courses used multiple technologies without computers to deliver courses (i.e., audiocassettes, television, fax). Multiple technologies including computers and computer networking make up third generation mediums used for distance education (i.e., electronic mail, chat sessions, threaded discussions, CD Roms, etc.).

Finally, fourth generation technologies, the current generation of distance education technologies, combines the past mediums, but also adds multiple technologies including the beginning of high-bandwidth.

Although this article was published in 1997, most of the fourth generation technologies are still not fully available. We are still waiting for high bandwidth before we can fully take advantage of the fourth generation tools. (See Table 1).

© Copyright 2003 by Kathy Keairns