- The foundation of distance learning is the theory of independent study, which states that successful teaching can still occur even when student and teacher are not physically together.  
- In this theory, the teachers are just facilitators to support the learning process of their students. 
- This is possible because of the smartphone, videoconference systems and  the development of the internet (4G/5G network).

Wayne State University

Education facilitated by the communications media (mail, e-mail, radio, television, videotape, computers, videoconferencing and others) with little or no classroom or other face-to-face contact between students and teachers.

Distance Learning

Dietrich, N., Kentheswaran, K., and Ahmadi, A. (et al.) Attempts,  Successes,  and  Failures  of  Distance  Learning  in  the Time  of  COVID-19.(2021)  Journal  of  Chemical  Education,  97  (9).  2448-2457. ISSN 0021-9584 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00717 

Attempts, Successes, and Failures of Distance Learning in the Time of COVID-19.

Distance learning depends on: 
- user experience 
- motivation
- technology 
- expectation 
- time management 

Factors that influence distance learning 

Students with high levels of self-regulation showed better learning outcomes during distanced learning. Students who prefer less structure due to their highe self-regulation perform better with distanced learning because they are able to manage their time as they prefer. Low self-regulated students showed exceedingly worse outcomes.

Self-regulation during distanced learning

Previous research (Cavanaugh et al. 2004; Lee & Figueroa 2012; Means et al. 2013) have found that distanced learning can be effective to a similar level as face-to-face teaching. 


Distanced learning due to COVID-19 has caused more problems because of the rapid change from in person to distanced with little preperation.
- The majority (91.96%) of middle and high school students felt there was something positive to gain from distanced learning (Pelikan et al. 2021).
- approximately 10% of students felt everything was going well (Pelikan et al. 2021).

Effectiveness of distanced learning

The Foundation of Distance Learning: Theory of Independent Study

- technical issues 
- user experience
- motivation
- technology expectation 
- time management 
- personality type
- communication between student and institution
- isolation
- laboratory work 
- access to books
- training of staff 
- social conditions

Distance Learning limitations

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a colossal challenge for teachers to urgently and massively adapt all their classes to distance learning in order to maintain educational continuity with the same quality. Researchers collected responses from students and teachers of a 5-year program in Chemistry, Environment and Chemical Engineering at INSA Toulouse (France). The analysis has highlighted some great successes and some failures in the solutions proposed. Consequently, some guidelines can be given to help us all to learn the lessons of such a singular experience in order to face the unexpected future with more knowledge and more successful distance learning. Teachers have shown very strong resilience during this crisis, at the cost of significant personal commitment. They admit that they have learned more about distance education in two months than in the last 10 years.

Distance Learning during COVID-19: Attempts, Successes, and Failures

-Distance learning-learning that is used for people who are physically distant from one another (and can also include learning that occurs at different times)
-E-learning-a type of distance learning-defined as "strictly being accessible using technological tools that are either web-based, web-distributed, or web-capable"
-Online learning-more recent and improved version of distance learning-"described by most authors as access to learning experiences via the use of some technology"

Learn Before

Related