One valid educational strategy is distance learning. Distance learning or DL is the overarching term for any learning that takes place outside the traditional brick and mortar classroom. While the term can be applied to written correspondence courses, in the last few years a technological solution has been used. That is to say, DL is now primarily done through personal computers using the Internet as a delivery means.

Within the DL domain there are synchronous and asynchronous education environments. In a synchronous environment, all the students and the instructors interact together in the same time frame but may be geographically dispersed. The primary technical means to synchronous training is the video teleconference suite. Synchronous learning is most useful when the subjects being taught require maximum student-instructor interaction.

Asynchronously training is the opposite of synchronous training. In this strategy, learners and instructor do not interact in the same time frame. Almost any kind of digital media may be used to deliver asynchronous training. The personal computer is the clearest means for asynchronous training. However, recently smart phones and other handheld data devices have become more popular for the delivery asynchronous training. In fact, this new learning concept has already been given a word; mobile learning, or m-learning. However, asynchronous learning is most useful when the subject requires low student-instructor interaction.

When using DL careful analysis of the subjects to be taught and learned must be done. Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to filter the tasks DL is best used when the learning falls in the three lower domains of Bloom’s. That is to say that DL is best used when the student must apply Remembering, or can the student recall or remember the information? Understanding: or can the student explain ideas or concepts? And applying: or can the student use the information in a new way?

Whereas DL is not generally applicable to the three upper domains of the taxonomy, that is to say, DL may not be effective when the student must apply; Analyzing: or can the student distinguish between the different parts? Evaluating: or can the student justify a stand or decision? Or Creating: or can the student create new product or point of view? Further recent studies seem to indicate that younger worker learn at least as well, if not better from digital media than from traditional classroom instruction. In short, DL teaches just as well, if not better than traditional classroom instruction.