The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us that distance education can come in various formats and serve many different purposes. There are many ways to develop low-tech, sometimes even low-cost, distance education learning experiences that are still interactive and effective. This book is meant to serve as a basic introduction to interactivity in distance education.

This chapter will briefly define distance education and briefly overview it. We will then focus on the role standards and objectives usually play in distance education. Finally, we will conclude with how technology can assist the distance educator.

This chapter addresses issues that should be considered when designing instruction at a distance. Analysis of general learner characteristics can inform the instructor of the types of students in the class. The more the instructor knows about the students, the better the instructor will be able to prepare an effective learning environment.

Planning a distance education course is a multifaceted process. Distance courses require more structure than in-person face-to-face courses. Planning for instruction considers aspects of the resources, levels of interactivity, the types of activities, and how well the instructor and students are prepared for participation.

Online learning offers students flexibility, connectedness, and choice in their educational path. Technology can connect people and resources anytime and anywhere around the world. The beauty of the fluid nature of the technologies allows the instructor to plan for a variety of learning opportunities.

The Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia were adopted as nonlegislative reports by the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives, on September 27, 1996. These guidelines represent an agreed-upon interpretation of the fair use (https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107) provisions of the Copyright Act.

The term distance education has more commonly been called online education in recent times. The use of the internet (whether by computer, tablet, or cell phone) has taken over as the primary form of distance education. A well-designed course using the tools available will better prepare our learners.

References cited in text.