COVID-19 forced students to leave the traditional classroom behind and complete their school year using distance learning and online learning tools. But while the coronavirus has increased demand for these remote learning opportunities, the road to a more flexible education didn't start with the pandemic.
Distance learning has been around since the early 1800s — long before online learning was possible. And to this day, there are some important differences between distance education and online education. So, what is distance learning? Here's a look at what separates these two flexible options and the learning experience you'll get when you choose to study from a distance.