Distance education learners have more freedom and more responsibility for their own instruction. Studies indicate that when students in distance education or traditional courses are active participants in the learning process, they are likely to perform better and remember more. The multimedia approach employed by many forms of distance education addresses a wider range of learning styles among students than do most forms of traditional classroom instruction.

However, not all distance education students fit the "mold." Colleen Swain, associate professor in the University of Florida's College of Education's School of Teaching and Learning, explains.

Swain on distance education student characteristics (:51)

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You'll learn the following driving skills (objectives) as we travel:

• Identify the characteristics of distance education learners. 
• Identify and develop support structures to assist distance education learners.

At the end of each destination is a Resources Page with a glossary, support materials and references. To access other sections, return to the Table of Contents.

Let's start with a look at distance learners' experiences.
Accessbility in the distance education environment also is covered later Helping Learners SucceedHelping Learners SucceedHelping Learners Succeedin this destination.

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