Distance Education has traversed four to five 'generations' of technology in its history These are print, audio/video broadcasting, audio/video teleconferencing, computer aided instruction, e-learning/ online-learning, computer broadcasting/webcasting etc. Yet the radio remains a very viable form, especially in the developing nations, because of its reach. Australian children in extremely remote areas have been participating in the "School of the air" since the 1940's using 2 way radio. In
Distance education has long had trouble with testing. The delivery of testing materials is fairly straightforward, which makes sure it is available to the student and he or she can read it at their leisure. The problem arises when the student is required to complete assignments and testing. Online courses have had difficulty controlling cheating in quizzes, tests, or examinations because of the lack of teacher control. In a classroom situation a teacher can monitor students and visually uphold a level of integrity consistent with an institution's reputation. However, with distance education the student can be removed from supervision completely. Some schools address integrity issues concerning testing by requiring students to take examinations in a controlled setting.
Assignments have adapted by becoming larger, longer, and more thorough so as to test for knowledge by forcing the student to research the subject and prove they have done the work. Quizzes are a popular form of testing knowledge and many courses go by the honor system regarding cheating. Even if the student is checking questions in the textbook or online, there may be an enforced time limit or the quiz may be worth so little in the overall mark that it becomes inconsequential. Exams and bigger tests may be harder to regulate.
Used in combination with invigilators, a pre-arranged supervisor trusted with overseeing big tests and examinations may be used to increase security. Many Midterms and Final examinations are held at a common location so that professors can supervise directly. When the Internet became a popular medium for distance education many websites were founded offering secure exam software and packages to help professors manage their students more effectively.
A degree completion program is an educational program providing a way for learners to get college credit for learning that they picked up in a haphazard way. Degree completion programs, unlike diploma mills, work within the established university community to provide accredited degrees. Credits from old courses and CLEP or GRE tests are combined and evaluated to enable the student to achieve a degree. As of 1993, there were 284 adult degree completion programs in the
Rapid development of internet has brought more and more convenience and speed. Learning through internet has become a current study and living style for more and more people. According to authority statistic nearly 200,000,000 people globally learn through net and online learning with its core as internet has become fashion and new trend for education and training globally.
