Distance Learning Revisited: Life-Long Learning and the National Information Infrastructure

This paper "revisits" distance learning by addressing its past achievements, its present state, and its future in the face of the rapidly converging computer and communications technologies and the goals and potential that underlie the creation of the proposed National Information Infrastructure (NW. The analysis was undertaken recognizing that new demands are being placed on our educational institutions to provide a highly knowledgeable and skilled workforce for the 21st century; that the stakes involved are no less than economic competitiveness, which is now so knowledge dependent; and, that consideration of the present and future of distance learning requires a "paradigm shift" in the role of teachers and educational institutions as the United States enters into a global economy. This inquiry therefore seeks to create a contemporary vision of distance learning based on: (1) its history; (2) the recognition of the importance of life-long learning and the development of new strategies for its realization; (3) the potential of emerging telecommunications technologies; (4) the respective roles of private industry and government in the creation of the NII; and (5) the potential contribution of The High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) initiative. Construction of this vision began by the examination of efforts to define distance education and to establish its theoretical base, distance education's major milestones, technology's expanding role and potential, and new opportunities that derive from the NII initiative. The following aspects of distance learning are examined: milestones; technology's influence; distance learning in transition; issues; an interconnected world; non-traditional learning environments; universal availability and access; telecommunications components; evolving physical infrastructure; community service networks; distance learning initiatives; opportunities in the health professions; and final thoughts. (Contains 87 references. ) (Author/MAS)