Distance education programs require meticulous planning to ensure that academic content and technological resources meet their students' needs. It is vital to ensure that technology is efficient and up-to-date and that there is sufficient bandwidth to accommodate online networking.
Distance education demands different teaching styles than conventional instruction. Adequate staff training in communication technology and teaching techniques increases a program's chance of success. Teachers who feel confident about using videoconferencing technology to network with students are more likely to have a positive attitude toward distance education. Teachers should also have an understanding of distance learners' needs and adopt more flexible and accessible teaching styles that meet these needs.
Distance education has a greater chance of success if students feel that instructors are accessible and genuinely interested in their academic progress. Continuous constructive feedback helps students stay motivated and compensates for lack of interpersonal communication.
Distance education students often have full-time jobs and family commitments. Unlike traditional college students, they must manage their own time and be disciplined enough to study from home. To do this, distance learning students must be highly motivated and committed.