Distance learning in adult education is designed to support opportunities for practitioners and learners to engage in quality learning experiences any time, any place and at any pace. Of course, distance learning means different things to different people. To further complicate the elusive definition of distance learning, it also changes over time. For an overview of distance education by the Hudson River Center, particularly as applied to adult education, see the Literature Review on Distance Education. 

In New York State, a number of distance learning strategies are implemented or are being implemented. These strategies range from non-technology-based efforts such as GRASP, to video-based and print-based programs broadcast by National Public Broadcasting and New York State Broadcasting such as Crossroads Café and On Common Ground (both of which were developed by INTELECOM), to multi-media (video, print, and web-based) programs such as Literacy Link and Workplace Essential Skills. 

The New York State External Diploma Program (EDP), a program designed to enable adults to obtain a local high school diploma based on their experiences, is currently being redesigned to a computer-based format.

Information on distance learning for adult learners can be found through the Distance Learning Resource Network (DLRN). This is the dissemination project for the U.S. Department of Education Star Schools Program. The site includes online courses in adult literacy, listservs for adult students, and places to browse in the online library.

A Web site dedicated to distance education with resources from around the world is: www.fae.plym.ac.uk/tele/tele.html. Click on Links Resources. The site includes more than 250 links to distance education related resources, associations, projects, institutes, etc.

Additional information is provided by Eastern LINCS, one of five regional sites that make up the National Institute for Literacy's (NIFL's) comprehensive electronic communication and information system. This system provides a link to both national and regional resource material for adult literacy practitioners and students. Funding Resources are also available for program development and maintenance. Many of the sites listed herein provide links to resources that offer funding opportunities for innovative and unique distance learning applications.

A national view of distance learning is presented in a recent survey of state directors of adult education. The survey reveals that distance learning is, increasingly, a delivery mechanism that can reach adults unable to attend traditional adult education classes. NIFL's State Policy Update explains several of the major policy issues involved in offering distance learning, reviews the current status of state implementation of distance learning programs, and highlights the efforts of two states, California and Delaware, that offer distance learning on a statewide level.

Three such distance education programs suggested by NIFL are:

1. J.H. Groves Diploma-At-A Distance High School from Dover, Delaware. The contact person is Harry Davies, who may be reached at (302) 739-5560.
2. Milwaukee Area Technical College-Adult High School. The contact person is Mary Sorensen, who may be reached at (414) 297-6665 or at sorensenm@matc.edu.
3. Mindquest from the South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education from Bloomington,Minnesota. The contact is Julie William who may be reached at (612) 729-6044 or at shape4@primenet.com.

Each of these addresses basic literacy and numeracy as well as higher level programming geared to GED or workforce preparation.

As you begin to incorporate distance learning and web-based instruction, the Southern Regional Education Board has authored Essential Elements for Web-Based Courses for High School Students designed to help policymakers and managers think about policy and other issues. Though developed for high school, many of the assumptions are appropriate to adult literacy as well. You may be interested in the outcome of a brainstorming session which resulted in a list of strategies designed to create an adult education distance learning environment. The list was developed by participants at a recent On Common Ground workshop in Syracuse, New York.

Distance learning, the digital divide, current legislation, evaluation and assessment, international collaboration on the Internet, and Internet safety are among the topics explored by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology. Their website presents reports in an array of e-learning content areas. Designed to profile the power and promise of the Internet as an instructional tool for educators and learners alike, the website reflects the insight of educators, policymakers, and researchers.