Distance Learning

Technology has come a long way since correspondence courses reached people far from school in rural areas, or working full-time and studying during off-hours. There has always been a need to access education from non-traditional venues.

Through the personal computer, students may take online courses all over the world. It's easy and cost-effective to produce audio- and video-taped lessons through electronic means, especially since students can ask questions and get assistance through e-mail. Some classes are even set up to be interactive, using a live video camera on the presenter and a pre-registered call-in system students use to ask questions. Streaming-video also facilitates online learning.

The correspondence courses of today are called Internet-based learning, online training, e-learning, distance learning, Web-casting, or virtual classrooms. Universities everywhere have established online courses to compliment traditional course offerings held on campus. Each student is self-paced and aided by online materials.

Online learning then provides a solution for students with special needs, such as access to adaptive devices and software. The student is never without his/her switches, alternative mice, or speech and Braille output. Online learning also provides another means of inclusion when travel is problematic. The only drawback is isolation and lack of peer interaction; however, that gap is partially bridged with online chat rooms and electronic bulletin boards!

Resources
Able TV Net
http://www.abletv.net/default.html
Accessible Web casts using the latest technologies like Magpie, the first streaming-video solution that offers audio description and closed-captioning.

Actden
http://www.actden.com/about.htm
Online software tutorials in Internet Explorer, PowerPoint, Outlook Express, Front Page, as well as courses in writing, information technology, and others.

Assistive Technology Resources
http://www.lburkhart.com/links.htm#NebAAC
Valuable resources, including AT tutorials

The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO)
http://atto.buffalo.edu/
Information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms

AT 508
http://www.at508.com
Internet telecasts about newest assistive technology and how it relates to Section 508 compliance.

Distance Education at a Glance
http://www.uidaho.edu/eo/distglan.html
Information and resources that facilitate distance education; strategies for teachers, etc.

Distance Learning Course Finder
http://www.dlcoursefinder.com/US/other.htm
Based in Bonn, Germany, the Distance Learning Course finder locates all types of courses, including undergraduate and graduate courses, in hundreds of countries. Learn a new language or hotel management. All offer free multilingual access to potential students worldwide.

The Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center announces the availability of an online course developed through a collaboration with the 10 Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) and hosted by the Southeast DBTAC about the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA Basic Building Blocks is an introductory Web course that explores the legal requirements and the spirit of the ADA. The course content is self-paced and organized into 12 topics that have been designed to be studied in order. It covers the basic principles and core concepts contained in the ADA. For more information and to register for the course go to www.adabasics.org

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology)
at University of Washington
http://www.washington.edu/doit/
Resources for persons with disabilities pursuing college degrees and careers; use of successful electronic and technological resources; publications and programs that maximize independence, productivity, and participation

e-Learning Centre
http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/index.htm
Information and resources of all types related to e-learning

EduSelect
http://www.eduselect.com/index.htm
Online degree programs for study at your own pace.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Distance Learning
http://www.iste.org/resources/curriculum/distance-learning.cfm
Diversity of links to distance learning courses

The Faculty Room (for educators)
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Presentations/Distance/Lessons/
Online lessons for instructors for adapting lessons for students with disabilities

MindEdge
http://www.mindedge.com/index.html
Founded by M.I.T. educators, MindEdge offers more than 110 courses, supporting numerous degree and certification programs in the disciplines of Business & Management, Health Sciences, Information Technology, and Arts & Sciences.

The CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM)
http://ncam.wgbh.org/index.html
NCAM is a research and development facility dedicated to the issues of media and information technology for people with disabilities in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. NCAM projects have included closed-captioning and descriptive narration of Hollywood movies, and making an online physics curriculum accessible to deaf and blind students

Trace
http://trace.wisc.edu/world/doc_access/#dist-ed
Numerous resources, Web sites, and articles about distance learning, as well as studies and organizations developing inclusive tools for accessing Web-based learning.

TV Worldwide
http://www.tvworldwide.com
Internet video delivery solutions—Web casting live or on-demand

University of Idaho Engineering Outreach
http://www.uidaho.edu/eo/index.html
Complete distance learning degree programs—graduate degrees, certificates, and short courses for professional and personal advancement. Web-supported courses are delivered at a distance via DVD or videotape.

Worldwide Online Learn
http://www.worldwidelearn.com
The World's largest directory of online courses, accredited online degrees, continuing education, online training, certificate programs, and online education. 249 subject areas offered by educational institutions, companies and individuals from all over the world.