Quality in Distance Learning (Ends and Means‪)‬

Due to the extreme popularity of distance learning, online learners can choose from a wide variety of options. They can take online courses to earn a new degree or complete a partially finished one. They can take courses to learn a new skill. They can take courses because their job mandates that they do. Or they can take courses just for the fun of learning something new. Online courses are being offered by accredited universities, corporations, nonprofit organizations, nonaccredited institutions, governments, and many others. Courses can be completely asynchronous, synchronous, a combination of the two, or a combination of face to face and at a distance. With all of these options available, sometimes it is hard for individual online learners to decide what is best for them. To help with that dilemma, one of the most important things to consider is the quality of the course or program of courses. When looking for quality in online education, there are many things to consider.