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Distance Education Student Demographics

In a 1999 article entitled "The Origins of Distance Education," Diane Matthews reports that the stereotypical distance education students are (12):

• Older than the traditional undergraduate students
• Working Students
• Females (66%)
• Students located in remote areas
• Students already enrolled in regular classes

Women with children like the flexibility and convenience distance education offers.

Instructor Profile

Dr. E.K. Demos taught his first Distance Education course at a Community College in 1991. He teaches a "Race to Save the Planet" Telecourse at the Community College of Aurora and ecology and environmental management courses at University College at the University of Denver. Dr. Demos defines Distance Education as "any education done at a distance...outside the traditional class room environment." He has used public educational T.V., web sites, e-mail, telephone, fax, snail mail, as well as commercial course management tools mediums to teach his distance education courses (9).

Student Profile

Marti Dyer-Allison fits the stereotypical distance education student profile. She is 43 years old, married and the mother of 2. She has an MA in Education Administration and is a full-time Ph.D. student at the University of Denver. Marti works as a full-time Graduate Assistant. In addition, she is taking online classes through the University Maryland University College pursuing a Online Masters Degree in Distance Education (10).