Distance learning has been defined in many ways. The common aspects of the definitions is that a.) the teacher and student are physically separate, either by time or space, some of the time and b.) some type of media is used for learning. Today the term distance education is being replaced by the term distance learning. The latter places the emphasis on the learner and the learning process.

With new technologies, learners can take courses from higher education institutions far from their homes. Iowa State distance learning courses are posted on various World Wide Web sites.

R1edu.org lists distance-learning courses from institutions that have membership in the Association of American Universities and the Carnegie classification, Doctoral/Research Universities-Extensive (previously Research 1). Thirty-four of North America’s major research universities are participating on this site.

IRIDE (Iowa Regents Institutions Distance Education) is a cooperative effort listing courses, degrees and certificates provided by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa universities--Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.

World Wide Learn Online Education World's largest directory of online degree programs, online courses, continuing education, online training, and online education.